Hitting the Road

 

My friend, Cindy, offered great advice at the onset of widowhood.  “When friends or family afar invite you to visit them, be sure to accept.” 

Cindy was right.  People like to help, to nurture in times of grief. 

During Tom’s memorial last November, his cousin extended an invitation to me and my girls to visit them and spend a few days.  The time for that special road trip to Las Cruces, N.M., arrived and we couldn’t be more excited to get away together and leave our responsibilities behind.  We loaded up the car with snacks and Starbucks gift cards, along with the fun conversation game, “Talking Point.”  We enjoyed four hours of catching up on everything, listening to Oldies and laughing.

Our family welcomed us at their lovely ranch home which afforded us private rooms to enjoy much rest.  Its fun to stay at another woman’s home and use her hair and shower products, isn’t it?  Excellent homemade cooking blessed our tummies and it felt wonderful to be served. 

We hiked in the beautiful Organ Mountain Range behind their home.  I liked our shopping spree in the old downtown area with cobble streets and quaint stores.  We dined at a classy Mexican restaurant after a drink in one of the prettiest bars I’ve ever seen.

We felt so loved, especially by Molly and Maddie, their two Golden Retrievers. 

 

My heart to heart talks with our cousin's wife, Linda, warmed my soul.  She understands women like me who face “going it alone.”  I liked the stories she shared of her father who lived close by when she was single and helped her with the big projects beyond her strength.

I had a caring father like that who now lives in Heaven with my mom and Tom.  He was one like Linda’s dad who would help out in a heartbeat.  

I’ve been thinking about this and realize I am not fatherless by any means.  My Heavenly Father, whose name is El Shaddai, has an endless supply for gals like me.  I’ve learned to trust and rely on Him for just about everything!  My journals are jam packed with extraordinary answers to my prayers. 

Cindi McMenamin, author of When Women Walk Alone, writes about the importance to fill our emotional tank with the only One able to love us fully, our Creator, Father God:  

“We know from Scripture that God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5) and He will be second to no man in our lives.  He demands and deserves to be first place in our hearts.  To you and me, He wants to be the Man…the One who keeps us from feeling alone at heart.” 

In my quiet hours, Psalm 121 comes to mind.  “I lift up my eyes to the hills.  Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  Ps. 121: 1,2 

I am not fatherless.  Good to remember!