2017...What a start...

Strength...that is the word I chose for 2017. There are many reasons I chose this word to be my focus this year...mostly because I thought I would need to have strength and so far I have not been wrong. When I was thinking about which word I would choose I thought about all I knew my family was going to be going through throughout the year and I knew without a doubt I would need strength.

I would need strength to deal with my sister and her fight and journey through having terminal brain cancer. Her life has already changed in so many ways since she was diagnosed 9 months ago and I am sure there will be many more changes...some good and a lot not so good. She has times when she is understandably angry and a bit depressed...her personality has changed where she can be very mean to the people she is closest to. My mom and I are usually the targets. I need strength to not take the things she says to heart and be angry with her...I have to remember that it is her illness talking not her....it hurts but I need strength to let it go.

My parents are both 80 years old..my sister is living with them and I know it is taking a toll on them as well. I will need strength to help them not only physically but also emotionally through this journey. It is only the 4 of us in this town...both my brothers live in different places. They would certainly be here if needed but it is the day to day times that are the hardest.

I know that even though it seems like I can't handle all of this and that I am alone I am not. I know God is with me...He is with all of us. I have the focus word STRENGTH but I know that all the strength I need and have comes from Him.

I have needed quite a bit already. A month ago my mom and I were in a car accident. Mom broke her 3 ankle bones and had to have surgery. She was in the hospital a little over a week. I didn't have any ..broken bones but I was very bruised and hurt my back and chest a lot. I could hardly walk so I stayed at mom and dad's with dad and my sister to have them help me and then stayed another week when mom first came home to help with her. I didn't have to babysit for a month because Isaiah and my SIL went to Kenya (her home) so it worked out that I could heal and help out. My is in a wheelchair for probably 3 months...2 to go.

Well there you have it...all caught up. If you made it this far you are truly a friend and I thank you.

Oh and it is Valentine's Day so I wish for all of you LOVE ❤️. This is what Isaiah brought home from school today...one for me and one for his mom...now that is love!!❤️