Sunday, October 23, 2011

Truer words have never been spoken!

I am way overdue for checking out the blogs I follow. My schedule has just been so nutso lately. I'm behind on leaving love in the gallery at sb.com. I'm behind in the challenges I've entered. I need to make three sympathy cards within the next day or two, ship off the RAK from our Guylou surprise birthday blog hop, get stuff ready for my visit with my gram this weekend, do a crapload of laundry, unpack from my camping trip, clean my house...well, you get the jist. I know I'm not the only one with a hectic schedule at this time of year, so I'll stop whining and get to the purpose of this post.

I was trying to be good and catch up on some blog comments tonight. I didn't get far, because I saw this quote over at Nicole's blog and it just made me stop and think. Here it is (I copied it direct from her blog; I hope she doesn't mind):
As most of you know because I'm not shy when talking about it, my husband Rick died unexpectedly on September 18, 2009. He was exactly one week past his 38th birthday. We had been together for a little over 11 years, and were friends for 5 years before that. It's a horrific loss that I still struggle with every day. I can't even tell you how many people have told me that they admire my strength. I hear quite a bit, "you're so strong. I couldn't be that strong." I've heard "I'd just curl up in a ball and die with him" or "I'd just go into a corner and never come out" and other variations on the same theme. My response is always something like, "you don't know that. You have absolutely no idea what you'll do until you are in the situation yourself. Nothing prepares you for it, and you just don't know how you'll handle it until you're there." I think the quote that Nicole posted is so much more eloquent. I think I'm going to use it on one of the pages of Rick's memorial album. It speaks volumes to me in one little sentence. Thanks, Nicole!

7 comments:

Sara I. said...

I absolutely LOVE this quote!!! I see it all the time and should print it and frame it! LOL, but seriously I always say the same thing to people that say it to me. My answer is always, you do it because you have to. And you my dear friend are one of the strongest people I know.
~hugs

Two Dogs and a Book said...

That quote spoke to me too! thanks for posting it! That's exactly what I needed tonight.
G

Trina said...

Well, I'm happy you didn't go the route that those folks thought you might. I wouldnt have gotten the chance to meet you if you had! :D

Thanks for putting me on the list of blogs to stop by! I do feel and sound pretty crappy still, but I'm hoping it won't settle in to stay...

Anonymous said...

Gina, great quote and I agree with you, we never truly know what are reactions will be until we are in that situation.

I hope each day is filled with blessings for you. Hugs, Lori m

Tracy S said...

* hugs* Love you chick

Star said...

Big hugs darlin!!! I'm sorry I haven't been around as much....I've been dealing with a lot of scheduling, too, as well as trying to get over a sucky cold. Just remember I'm thinking about you, and you amaze me with how strong you are!

Unknown said...

Gina, I couldn't find your email address so I came here hoping to retrieve it and it was removed. But I think I was lead here to read your card/sign. Just tonight I asked my hubby while I was crying "How am I going to be strong when everyone needs me to be strong when I am broken heart and so dang sad. I don't know how I will pull it off. I am sure God will only let me take what I can handle. Anyhow, I am writing you to say "Thank you sweet pea! Your package came today and made me light up like a Christmas tree!! I love the house mouse stamp!! I love the pens and little acrylic stamp. The clear jell pens I was going to order myself! Thank you!! It's the little things in life that has the biggest impact on people! Hugz Colleen