Thank you all for your kind comments, your prayers for my family and your encouragement to me. I wish I could find the words to tell you how much it means to me.
When I first started this blog I wanted it to be a place of beauty and encouragement to those who visited. I shared very little about my personal life. I still want to share the beauty that I capture from my home and garden, but certain aspects of my life right now are difficult and sad.
I'm finding it hard to blog, because I am more in the mood to be contemplative, quiet and withdrawn. It seems that there has been one gut punch after another, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
A couple of days before my mother passed away, my brother, who is 17 months younger than me, had surgery on a mole that had suddenly changed. I found out a few days ago that he has stage 4 melanoma cancer. I'm very worried about him.
Also, I just found out today that a dear cousin has Chrondrosarcoma cancer. He is my cousin, but his wife is my very dear friend. His mass is attached to his chest wall and protrudes about two or three inches, it is quite large. Surgery is not an option right now, hopefully chemo and radiation will shrink the mass. My heart is breaking for them.
I am thankful once again for beautiful distractions. I have walked around my yard for hours at a time with my camera in my hands. It is there, behind the lens, that I can lose myself momentarily.
Please pray for these loved ones of mine. Hopefully one of these days things will calm down and life will return to normal and I'll feel more like blogging again. Right now I have a difficult time thinking and finding the right words to say.
36 comments:
Dearest Robin,
Your stunning photography speaks for you, dear friend. Your photos reveal a beautiful, compassionate and loving heart and soul. I will continue to pray that in this time of sorrow and sadness that you will feel the gentle touch of the One Who loves and knows you best. ((((Hugs))) Love, Patricia
Robin, in your time of grief and sorrow, you have captured some amazingly beautiful photos. Sometimes words are inadequate. Romans 8:26 says "God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans." (from The Message) Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Your photos are perfection ... I am so very sorry for what you and your family members are going through right now. Sending my thoughts and prayers.
Your blog captures the beauty of life so well - even today with the flowers and stunning butterflies. Yet there is always a sadder, darker side and by sharing that, you complete the picture. Cannot express how sad I feel for you with such serious ill health in family members and the recent loss of your Mum. These are very difficult times for you and I pray for the strength for you to bear it.
Laura x
I can sympathize with you Robin. It seems like life pours it on from time to time. A good place to be is behind that camera. It can show you that life does go on even if your heart feels like it has turned to stone and you are paralyzed with grief. Hang in there. Big ((HUGS))
Dear Robin, Life has certainly handed you more than your fair share of burdens right now. Your photos are beautiful and reflect a calm and peace. I hope that these simple joys and your faith will help to comfort you and carry you through this difficult time. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Rose
I, too, join these written voices by sending my thoughts and prayers to you in sympathy for all that i plaguing you and your family. These things always seem to come in groups, for whatever reason. Do not worry about blogging for we will be here when you have the will, desire and strength to return. And always, always we will think of you and offer our prayers.
Robin, my heart aches for you. You and your loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that the beauty of your gardens and the creatures in it (so wonderfully captured in your pictures) continues to give you peace and solace.
Very sorry for the loss of your mother and to hear that other family members are also unwell.
Your photos are lovely. I hope you can continue to find comfort in your garden.
If you have no words, but still want to stroll around and take photos of beauty, then post those. They speak for you. I have not had happen what you're going through, certainly. But the past months for me have also been contemplative and difficult. I find that I too lose myself behind that lens. I think it is therapeutic to do so. Tell us just as much as you want to. Or as little. Sending you hugs from Texas.
Brenda
I am sorry to hear about all the sadness that has come your way. Sometimes it is so hard to understand why things happen. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
my heart aches for you and your family. Too much, too fast....no wonder you don't feel like blogging. Just know that prayers are going up for you and your loved ones. One thing you can know of for certain, during your uncertain times is that God is still in control and he loves you.
Be still and quiet and find rest in the Lord.
Blessings & big HUGS
Missy
People will continue to flock to your blog and show concern for you Robin, even when you feel you have nothing to say. The words you did use help us to know just a bit more about what you're going through. Taking photos and spending time in the yard may be just what you need right now and maybe just posting them would be enough for you...without feeling obligated to narrate things. It'd surely be enough for me...I can never get enough of your photos;-) Sending lots of warmth and hugs your way;-)
Robin,I know how you feel about not wanting to share too many personal things,but perhaps the blog is a good place to do just that.If and when you feel like sharing,I will be hear listening with my heart.You are daily in my prayers.This is a heavy load which you are carrying right now.
HUgs,Ruth
How I empathised with this post and your anguish - I recently posted on a very similar theme.
Life, as we learn the hard way, is very precious. It takes time, sometimes, to heal but there is always light at the end of the tunnel, however long it may be.
Being able to see beauty in simple living things is a great blessing. Hold onto that and you will regain your strength.
Johnson
Oh Robin: Things do look dreadful at the moment. It seems like everything comes in batches good or bad. I have had trouble getting over a dear friends death this year and everyday I miss her. I know that it takes time and that things will get better. We just have to for our family who loves us.
It's just one blow after another and I think that the fact that you were able to get out in nature even for a short time and share it's beauty with us is remarkable. These are glorious shots as well. All I can say is try and stay strong and if quiet time is what you need, then that is what you need to experience. You are in my thoughts.
Hi Robin,
I am very sorry for the hardship you are dealing with now and I will pray for you and your loved ones.
I am glad you are able to find some peace and comfort in the beauty you captured-beautiful photos.
Take care,
Carolyn
this blogging world is an incredible thing. it's amazing to me the connection you feel with someone you don't know personally, but only through this medium. i'm so sorry you are going through such difficult times. thanks for taking the time to share with us the reasons for your absence with this beautiful post. you and your family will be in my prayers, too.
I surely don't have the words of wisdom to help you through these very difficult days. But be assured that you are much on my mind and that I am praying for you and your family.
So much heartache in your family right now Robin, but I'm glad you have your garden to console you. Don't worry about the butterfly collage, I forgot all about it! My photography has been advancing bit by bit, and someday I hope to have some nice butterfly shots of my own to blow up. I've already done that with some flower photos, the butterflies are next!
Robin - I'm so sorry and I'm thinking of you and your family - especially your brother, as I too have had a melanoma. My family went through a similar period a couple of years ago - we pulled through, and I'm praying that you all will too.
Sue
I'm so sorry to hear about all of the recent blows. I hope that you can find some peace and I'll add your family to my prayer list.
I just found your blog and am saddened to read of your heartache. There are no words that can ease your pain but hopefully the beauty of your gardens and the knowledge that others are sending prayers your way will help in some way.
Dear Robin, I just came to your blog to do some catching up and did not find good news. I am sad for you and I will pray for you daily.
God loves you and so do I.
Robin, I forgot to say how beautiful your photos are! I know how it is to get lost in the lens and how comforting it can be and what beauty came out of it for you.
Robin, I am so sorry for your loss and for the additional worries and burdens. I've been away and now, catching up, I had to read twice to make sure I'd understood what had happened--I was expecting this sad news about your MIL, but not your mother. This is truly a season of loss, but it is in those times that we are carried by our Savior. I pray you will feel His presence and will remember to roll your many burdens onto His shoulders. Find beauty, keep praising, and press on. This season will pass.
Your photos are beautiful. I hope they help you through these difficult days. Thanks for stopping by my blog too.
Robin, you and your family are in my thoughts once again. Normal must be a foreign concept for you just now. Keep taking photos… they do speak for themselves way more than words can ever do. I feel for you now. (HUGS) Shirley xo
Robin sending you hugs prayers and comfort.Your images are stunning and I am sure Nature soothes and comforts your aching heart.
love and light anna xo
Dear Robin, I am so very sorry that you lost your mother and now dear friends and family members are ill. There just aren't enough words of comfort to totally ease this journey, but know that I am thinking of you and saying prayers for you all, gail
your pictures are beautiful Robin....and I totally understand what you mean about getting lost behind the camera...it really is a different world for me - your camera sure looks nice!!
These butterfly pics are amazing!!!Just found your lovely blog, warm regrds Anja
Praying for your brother and dear cousin. Also, for you.
Kristin
Hi Robin, I want you to know that I have you in my thoughts and prayer. Being in the garden is the perfect place to be during this difficult time, it will help you find peace. Take care and God Bless.
Robin, I haven't been to visit your blog in a while, but I just want to let you know I'm thinking of you and saying prayers for everyone! HUGS to you!
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