I want to celebrate the fact that my life has gone on… I have continued on with courage, despite the many difficulties I have experienced over the last 10 years.

I recently had a (not-so-nice-someone) comment to me:

“It’s been ten years since Charles passed away. It’s time to close that chapter and move forward.”

As I pondered on those heartless words, I began wondering if there was any merit or value in the crass comment. (Other words were written, too.) I decided to look back over the last 10 years, many of which are recorded to a small degree on my other blog www.clingtocourage.com. I wanted to look and see just how I have been living my life with my family, and how I have been purposefully and meaningfully moving forward, during that time.

10 years without Charles.

My 10 years, as a widow.

I have to say… I am absolutely SO PROUD of myself for these last 10 years!

I have never given up, or quit. I have been very, very, tired and weary at times; but, I just keep on going… finding my courage along the way.

And I even continue to SMILE along the way!

There is simply NO WAY that I will ever, “close the chapter on Charles.”

He isn’t a chapter… he is the whole book.

I am beautifully bound to him FOREVER.

And I could not be more grateful for that, because forever is still not long enough with him.

“Finding the Courage to Continue,” has been a motto of mine from the beginning, one that I shared with Charles when he was still with me, and a motto that became my life-line as I persevered through all of the hard stuff of these last 10 years.

Here is a list of 10 things I have accomplished in the last 10 years:

(There are many other things, but let’s keep it nice and sweet with just 10 things…)

1. I ran a marathon
2. I have been a keynote speaker, and conference presenter many times
3. I have raised my children and managed my home… alone
4. I was brave and got remarried
5. I was even braver and got a divorce
6. I had another baby
7. I moved 3 times
8. I have been raising a child with autism (and everything that entails)
9. I went back to college to work towards a Communication degree
10. I have shared my grief journey through blogging (my other blog just reached over 1 million views.) Thanks mom, for reading my blog so much. 😉

You can view these and more events and experiences on www.clingtocourage.com, and on this blog www.stormsandstills.com as well.

Of course… I will keep adding to my list, and finding new goals, and living and loving my family.

I am especially so grateful for motherhood, and for the time I have had with my children… that has brought me the MOST joy. The memories we have made together, have been phenomenal. Some memories we have together are difficult, but our family has SO many sweet and wonderful times that we have shared. Our trials have just brought us closer together. I just love my family SO MUCH!

I will keep moving forward with courage… and with Charles.

There are those who understand what it feels like to walk on the opposite side of the veil, from the person that they love.

And there are those who do not understand… yet.

And that is okay.

It is not something I would wish on anyone.

Except for the love part.

It is a gift to have loved so deeply. That is exactly why I have also grieved so deeply.

For me, I am just grateful to have known such a love, that will last forever.

I will keep my courage and my love next to my heart, always…. as I continue moving forward.

Until we meet again.

I cannot wait to see Charles again!

That will be something to really CELEBRATE!

Hooray for that day!