Pondering a challenging response to a friend today, I realize that I am, at times, just barely holding on. In nearly every way, life has gotten harder since the death of my amazingly loving husband.

Concerning life in general, I no longer have:

• my husband, lover, and best friend
• my former business partner: see Phos Hilarion on FB (yes, I know I have to get a FB When the River Won’t Flow page and quit putting my posts on our Phos Hilarion page)
• my favorite artist

• my excellent grower of roses and on-site gardener

• my favorite picnic partner

• my defender
• my dryer of tears
• my confidant
• my sounding board
• my mischief-maker (see blog post of September 8, 2020)
• my bad boy who enjoyed stirring the pot

Regarding my blog, When the River Won’t Flow, I no longer have:

• my sounding board
• my faithful first reader and critiquer
• my favorite go-to for original works of art

But the losses have their mirror. All of those extraordinary things were wrapped up in my excellent loving husband. Not many people are so fortunate in their spouse.

So, thank you, Jesus, for dying so that my sweetheart may live. Thank you for loving sinners who turn to you. Thank you for giving me the hope of glorious reunions in the Kingdom of Heaven.