gratitude and a bit of sadness

I am grateful for all my kids.  (They are not kids any more.)

I’m glad I get to be their mom.  I proud of the men and women they have become and of the things they are doing. They are kind and generous. They are hardworking, loving, and fun. I’m proud that they have grown up and have lives of their own.

But I miss seeing them around the house. The noise! The laughs! Even the fights. I love how noisy our home was. I loved seeing them cook together and play together. I love how the Duncan boys were known as good workers if you had a project to be done. I loved seeing the girls help each other.  I loved all the friends coming and going. The house was rarely quiet when they were all home, even during the night. 

And I love how peaceful it is in now at the house. I can sit and study, read, or just think. We hear the birds singing and coyotes howling. We often wake to the donkey next door braying. Sitting on the front porch in the morning and evenings is so quiet and peaceful. And my house stays clean now!

I have a great relationship with most of my kids. I enjoy talking with them and hearing about the good things happening in their lives. I’m thrilled when new pictures are posted on social media or new stories about their exploits are shared. I love getting phone calls and texts. My grandsons call to talk even! At almost six, Elijah can carry on a long conversation. 3 year old Colin is too busy sometimes, but he always says “thank you” when he gets a package from us. We get to see them all fairly often in our travels.

So don’t get me wrong, I have a great life and lots of joy. But I miss Andrew.  I wish I had….well too many things I wish I had done more of, or less of, or done better.  

I’ve been feeling grateful…and a bit sad lately. Part of having a child die. Gratitude for all I had with him, for all I still have, and sadness because he’s not here to be a part of the goings on. 

Perhaps it’s time for some tractor therapy. Or jelly beans. Or Texas chocolate sheet cake if anyone wants to make one for me. 

Have a blessed day.

Grief, joy


KathleenBDuncan

I write about my life, my journey, my family, and my faith. I am wife to one, mom to seven with one in heaven, and grandmother to many. I am also full-time caregiver to my stepmom E who suffers from dementia due to Alzheimer’s. In my spare time I like to read, travel, crochet, bike, and play with our black pug Molly.

Comment

  • Kathleen, you have plenty of new friends with you, those you would not have met or known and so you should not be lonely and above all, your father in heaven.
    I always wonder what the thoughts that might have gone thru Abraham’s mind might have been when he was called to sacrifice Isaac. The Bible says, he simply prepared himself and did it- didn’t flinch at all. He was a great man but I would not be able to do the same.
    Praise God that you are there in my life, though I had forgotten you, you have come back again.
    Susie

Leave a Reply

Some of the links on KathleenBDuncan.com are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, this site could earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Copyright © Kathleen B Duncan 2021. All rights reserved.
Website management and design by Go Forth Online Now go Forth Online Now
and their associates.

Get the Newsletter!

%d bloggers like this: