“Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all life really means.” —Robert Louis Stevenson(1850-1894); Essayist, Poet, Novelist
I love the concept of doing anything for a day. Whether difficult, uninteresting or challenging. Anything for a day is do-able. The month of December can be quite overwhelming. I will work to remember these words, "I am able...I am able to do this today."
"Anyone can do anything, just for 20 minutes."
That's a quote I used to tell myself at mile 24 of the marathon. At that stage, it never felt like it could possibly be true, but finally it always was.
Mind you, and in the scale of things, I have to say that the marathon was pretty easy in comparison with widowhood.
Posted by: Roads | December 14, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Thank you so much Jennifer, for your heart to be so transparent and help others through the pain that you have experienced. You are making a difference in this world.
His, Lynn
Posted by: Lynncowell.blogspot.com | December 14, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Hi Jen,How are you ? miss your writings lately :) I know Dec. is busy. Have a wonderful Holiday :)
Posted by: Jenny | December 11, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Dear Jennifer:
You spoke at our church during the summer, I have read your book and I think of you and your family often.
My husband has metastatic brain cancer - we have been fighting and trusting in God's healing since he was diagnosed w bladder cancer in January of 2007. He has had MANY side effects of treatment- heart failure- kidney failure , hours and hours spent in the hospital for treatment and God had brought him through it all . Until this brain thing. I so hold on to the premise of your book - Live Now. My husband is here now. Enjoy him. In the middle of all of his turmoil I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had bilateral mastectomy in 2008. I have been also brought through the breast cancer and am almost a 1 year survivor. The recent find of brain cancer and consequent radiation and tx for my husband has sent me, at least, in a downward spiral of defeat and fear and isolation. It is SO hard to focus on the now - the possible consequences of the brain tumor - tear into my hopefullness and knock me to the floor. I have stopped trying to make well wishers try to understand and take their caring w a thankful heart. Thoughts of what life would be like without my husband interrupt my everyday almost like strikes of lightning in the middle of my work day. . So if I can pull my self back into today and repeat LIVE NOW and pray for my Jesus' to take the fear away. It sustains me. If I can literally pull myself back into knowing that I need to TRUST... He is here... and revisit the healing He has done already for us.. I can timidly move forward. I love your blog that anything is doable for a day... and this day I can still cuddle up w my husband at the end of this day. Thank You for your insights not only for me but for my friends and family , who just don't know what to do for us. You are right- being there is the best. Hope your holidays are going well.
Posted by: Janet | December 04, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Jen, thank you for keeping up with your blog, and for continuing to offer inspiring words. Things have been crazy at work and I need to remind myself that I am ABLE to get through each part of the day, and that I need to do it with a smile on my face (it may be the only smile that some of the kiddos see each day.
I miss our walks -- maybe we can meet at the Y one of these days!
Neighbor Beth
Posted by: Beth O. | December 01, 2009 at 09:57 PM
Jen, Yes you are VERY able:)
Hope you have a wonderful December!!!!
Posted by: Jenny | December 01, 2009 at 09:03 PM