Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Peaks and Valleys

We recently went to a renewal celebration for my husbands brother and his wife, (pictures to come) and it made me contemplate my relationship with Chris and the kind of life we are making with our family. Very courageous and tenderhearted words were spoken by them about peaks and valleys that we all experience in our marriages, and it is these ups and downs that strengthen us and bring us closer.
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While Chris was away last year working for eight months I camped out in a very low valley. I struggled by myself during the week trying to hold everything together, but on the weekends when he would come home we realized how much we needed eachother and our love was renewed. The distance had made us grow fonder and had brought back the spice that kids and routines had taken away. There were also valleys during his tumors and radiation complications. When you have a sick spouse, there is no more dark and frightening thought than that you might be left to face your journey alone. In God's own time, Chris pulled through and we climbed a peak out of harms way. I have also felt great sorrow through heartbreaking family circumstances and Chris has carried me in these deep valley's. Then there are those times where we simply get in a groove and feel like we're living with a roommate. Couples drift apart persuing their different interests and each person is left feeling disconnected and misunderstood. Jon and Les made sacrafices in cutting out activities important to them to make more time for their family. Jon took dancing lessons just to be with Leslie even if it wasn't his thing... at the party they danced together inspiring others to come together and leave selfishness aside.
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If there is one bright lesson in all of this, it is this;
family is life's greatest joy.
Togetherness and service nurtures our relationships no matter where life takes us. Whether you're living in a tiny apartment abroad, a gorgeous home in the suburbs, or a fixer-upper in the country... whether you are jobless, childless, moneyless, or brainless:) My happiest times have been spent with my family. I am excited and recommitted to face each day with a fresh outlook never to forget my countless blessings.


No Reason
by Cori Connors
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I'm yours in the sweet in the bitter
I'm yours if you soar if you fall
Love keeps no account of the winners
Ask why I love you, I'll tell you
There's no reason at all
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After all of these years I'm still crazy in love
If you want reasons there's more than enough
Times going to change them and life rearrange them
But one thing will always be true
That's the way my soul rises to you.
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Gorgeous photos taken by

8 comments:

Jill said...

Ah, Sara.

Your daily posts inspire, uplift and refresh.
Then again, you're just that type of gal. I've known that from the day you brought me a Sonic on my last day of preschool.

Thank you!

Sunshine Promises said...

Oh how I adore you, girl.

BTW - got a package in the mail. Loved it. Savored it. Treasure it. Somethin's on it's way to you.

And, when did your love have cancer? I had no idea. It's amazing the heartaches we have that other's know nothing about. I wish I lived close enough that I could bring over brunch and we could talk. All. Day. Long.

You are the best. Truly. You are.

P.S. Cori Connors live closeby to us. She is a talented singer/songwriter. And a truly genuine person.

Judy said...

Oh My! That is so good. I didn't know your hubby had been sick. I so appreciate these words. They are words we usually don't say outlaoud (about being left alone) and those words have been screaming around in my head. I am so scared. He has had 3 cancers in 10 years. We are definatly in a valley right now. Thanks for inspiting me. We need to do lunch sometime to get to know each other better.

Andrea said...

Well said.

Jennifer said...

Your writing is so beautiful! I love it. Love it love it love it!!! I hope I get to see you soon.

onesilentwinter said...

gorgeous sarah, i have learned so much about my marriage in the last year or so..

SMDStudio said...

That's just beautiful. What an ispiration.

Ky said...

I love reading your posts. This one especially helped me tonight. I've been struggling lately, and it reminded me that one day, all this "valley" stuff will be gone, and I'll be able to have my man at my side for good-and you got me happy for those days again.
Thanks girl.
Loves.