View from a hermit’s den

We’ve had a wonderful week of family, love, joy, food, and a new kitchen floor, laid on December 24th, because my husband is a carpenter and a bit of a nut at times. Our house is still decorated with trees and lights. The presents were lovely and our clan gathering was a blast – no tension or strife, just laughter and hugs and copious amounts of food. Life is good.

Life is also sad. My first husband’s father, the grandfather of my two girls, appears to be dying. He is a very, very good man and it is hard to think of the world without him. I was up early this morning and I sat in the darkness waiting for the sun to appear. It felt like the Christmas season was timed to give us strength to get through the months of darkness ahead of us.

I am writing and reading and praying today.

69 Replies to “View from a hermit’s den”

  1. praying for you

    My great grandmpother died on sunday nigt and my mom is having surgery on her leg in late January and the person she works for had a heart attack on saturday and so much is going and I am praying and I will pray for your family

  2. praying for you

    My great grandmpother died on sunday nigt and my mom is having surgery on her leg in late January and the person she works for had a heart attack on saturday and so much is going and I am praying and I will pray for your family

  3. praying for you

    My great grandmpother died on sunday nigt and my mom is having surgery on her leg in late January and the person she works for had a heart attack on saturday and so much is going and I am praying and I will pray for your family

  4. Re: praying for you

    Wow – lots of sadness and pain for you guys. My condolences for everything. I’ll send prayers your way, too. Thanks.

  5. Re: praying for you

    Wow – lots of sadness and pain for you guys. My condolences for everything. I’ll send prayers your way, too. Thanks.

  6. Re: praying for you

    Wow – lots of sadness and pain for you guys. My condolences for everything. I’ll send prayers your way, too. Thanks.

  7. I know I have talked with you about losing both my grandpa (Dec. 5th) and grandma (Dec. 28th) last year..December is so hard to get to..and today is one year since my grandma passed away and that’s the first thing I thought of when I woke up today..and on most days..I think about them a lot throughout the day..but since you said it is my time to honor them and get through these trials and tribulations I have been looking at things differently…I still miss them dearly…and so often..but now when I think about them the sadness has started to turn into joy and I cherish those memories that dance around in my mind. I hope the very best for you and your family. I hope that you guys are there for each other with love and support because these things aren’t easy. You think that you’ll never be able to get over these things..but there is light at the end of the tunnel and it takes time..but with time the wounds will start to heal. At first I thought I shouldn’t cry in front of anyone or show any emotion because I thought I would upset my family but it only hurt to keep it in…they needed so see me cry and let it out just like I needed to see them…don’t keep stuff inside..let it out..if it’s inside it only does more damage. I wish the very best for your family and I will be praying for your girls’ grandfather..I will keep praying and trust me I’ve been there..the prayers are a comfort. I’m glad your family had a good Christmas and I hope all is well.

    Billie

  8. I know I have talked with you about losing both my grandpa (Dec. 5th) and grandma (Dec. 28th) last year..December is so hard to get to..and today is one year since my grandma passed away and that’s the first thing I thought of when I woke up today..and on most days..I think about them a lot throughout the day..but since you said it is my time to honor them and get through these trials and tribulations I have been looking at things differently…I still miss them dearly…and so often..but now when I think about them the sadness has started to turn into joy and I cherish those memories that dance around in my mind. I hope the very best for you and your family. I hope that you guys are there for each other with love and support because these things aren’t easy. You think that you’ll never be able to get over these things..but there is light at the end of the tunnel and it takes time..but with time the wounds will start to heal. At first I thought I shouldn’t cry in front of anyone or show any emotion because I thought I would upset my family but it only hurt to keep it in…they needed so see me cry and let it out just like I needed to see them…don’t keep stuff inside..let it out..if it’s inside it only does more damage. I wish the very best for your family and I will be praying for your girls’ grandfather..I will keep praying and trust me I’ve been there..the prayers are a comfort. I’m glad your family had a good Christmas and I hope all is well.

    Billie

  9. I know I have talked with you about losing both my grandpa (Dec. 5th) and grandma (Dec. 28th) last year..December is so hard to get to..and today is one year since my grandma passed away and that’s the first thing I thought of when I woke up today..and on most days..I think about them a lot throughout the day..but since you said it is my time to honor them and get through these trials and tribulations I have been looking at things differently…I still miss them dearly…and so often..but now when I think about them the sadness has started to turn into joy and I cherish those memories that dance around in my mind. I hope the very best for you and your family. I hope that you guys are there for each other with love and support because these things aren’t easy. You think that you’ll never be able to get over these things..but there is light at the end of the tunnel and it takes time..but with time the wounds will start to heal. At first I thought I shouldn’t cry in front of anyone or show any emotion because I thought I would upset my family but it only hurt to keep it in…they needed so see me cry and let it out just like I needed to see them…don’t keep stuff inside..let it out..if it’s inside it only does more damage. I wish the very best for your family and I will be praying for your girls’ grandfather..I will keep praying and trust me I’ve been there..the prayers are a comfort. I’m glad your family had a good Christmas and I hope all is well.

    Billie

  10. I’ll pray for you guys and I hope that your daughters’ grandfather has a speedy recovery. I know how sad life can be sometimes.

    And I was wondering … would you mind signing a copy of Speak for me? You are a fabulous author and I would be really appreciative if you could do so. If not, then that’s okay. Thank you though.

  11. I’ll pray for you guys and I hope that your daughters’ grandfather has a speedy recovery. I know how sad life can be sometimes.

    And I was wondering … would you mind signing a copy of Speak for me? You are a fabulous author and I would be really appreciative if you could do so. If not, then that’s okay. Thank you though.

  12. I’ll pray for you guys and I hope that your daughters’ grandfather has a speedy recovery. I know how sad life can be sometimes.

    And I was wondering … would you mind signing a copy of Speak for me? You are a fabulous author and I would be really appreciative if you could do so. If not, then that’s okay. Thank you though.

  13. happy holidays:-)

    i hope everything will be okay! i’ll keep your daughters’ grandfather in my prayers. i’m glad you had a merry christmas:-)! i hope you have a happy new year too:-)! -ash 🙂

  14. happy holidays:-)

    i hope everything will be okay! i’ll keep your daughters’ grandfather in my prayers. i’m glad you had a merry christmas:-)! i hope you have a happy new year too:-)! -ash 🙂

  15. happy holidays:-)

    i hope everything will be okay! i’ll keep your daughters’ grandfather in my prayers. i’m glad you had a merry christmas:-)! i hope you have a happy new year too:-)! -ash 🙂

  16. Prayer of Solace

    May Christ support us all the day long,
    till the shadows lengthen,
    and the evening comes,
    and the busy world is hushed,
    and the fever of life is over
    and our work is done.
    Then in his mercy
    may he give us a safe lodging,
    and holy rest and peace at the last.

    Amen.

  17. Prayer of Solace

    May Christ support us all the day long,
    till the shadows lengthen,
    and the evening comes,
    and the busy world is hushed,
    and the fever of life is over
    and our work is done.
    Then in his mercy
    may he give us a safe lodging,
    and holy rest and peace at the last.

    Amen.

  18. Prayer of Solace

    May Christ support us all the day long,
    till the shadows lengthen,
    and the evening comes,
    and the busy world is hushed,
    and the fever of life is over
    and our work is done.
    Then in his mercy
    may he give us a safe lodging,
    and holy rest and peace at the last.

    Amen.

  19. XOXO

    I send my prayers and thoughts out to you and your family for the recovery of your daugthers’ grandfather. I hope you continue to have a very nice holiday. Happy New Years. xoxo!

  20. XOXO

    I send my prayers and thoughts out to you and your family for the recovery of your daugthers’ grandfather. I hope you continue to have a very nice holiday. Happy New Years. xoxo!

  21. XOXO

    I send my prayers and thoughts out to you and your family for the recovery of your daugthers’ grandfather. I hope you continue to have a very nice holiday. Happy New Years. xoxo!

  22. hello

    hello mrs. anderson,

    i am very sorry to hear about your first husband’s father. Like you, i have lost 2 grandpas 2 years in a row during christmas time, so i know what you are going through. well, i just read one of your books Catalyst, and i thought it was really good. I’m currently writing a long book report for it. haha. Since i had to write a short biography about you, i thought i would come to your website and see what i could find. I just wanted to say that you are a great author, very relateable to and keep up the good work!

    from,

  23. hello

    hello mrs. anderson,

    i am very sorry to hear about your first husband’s father. Like you, i have lost 2 grandpas 2 years in a row during christmas time, so i know what you are going through. well, i just read one of your books Catalyst, and i thought it was really good. I’m currently writing a long book report for it. haha. Since i had to write a short biography about you, i thought i would come to your website and see what i could find. I just wanted to say that you are a great author, very relateable to and keep up the good work!

    from,

  24. hello

    hello mrs. anderson,

    i am very sorry to hear about your first husband’s father. Like you, i have lost 2 grandpas 2 years in a row during christmas time, so i know what you are going through. well, i just read one of your books Catalyst, and i thought it was really good. I’m currently writing a long book report for it. haha. Since i had to write a short biography about you, i thought i would come to your website and see what i could find. I just wanted to say that you are a great author, very relateable to and keep up the good work!

    from,

  25. hello

    hello mrs. anderson,

    i am very sorry to hear about your first husband’s father. Like you, i have lost 2 grandpas 2 years in a row during christmas time, so i know what you are going through. well, i just read one of your books Catalyst, and i thought it was really good. I’m currently writing a long book report for it. haha. Since i had to write a short biography about you along with the report, i thought i would come to your website and see what i could find. I just wanted to say that you are a great author, very relateable to and keep up the good work! I look forward to reading other books you have written. =]

    from,
    Sarah

  26. hello

    hello mrs. anderson,

    i am very sorry to hear about your first husband’s father. Like you, i have lost 2 grandpas 2 years in a row during christmas time, so i know what you are going through. well, i just read one of your books Catalyst, and i thought it was really good. I’m currently writing a long book report for it. haha. Since i had to write a short biography about you along with the report, i thought i would come to your website and see what i could find. I just wanted to say that you are a great author, very relateable to and keep up the good work! I look forward to reading other books you have written. =]

    from,
    Sarah

  27. hello

    hello mrs. anderson,

    i am very sorry to hear about your first husband’s father. Like you, i have lost 2 grandpas 2 years in a row during christmas time, so i know what you are going through. well, i just read one of your books Catalyst, and i thought it was really good. I’m currently writing a long book report for it. haha. Since i had to write a short biography about you along with the report, i thought i would come to your website and see what i could find. I just wanted to say that you are a great author, very relateable to and keep up the good work! I look forward to reading other books you have written. =]

    from,
    Sarah

  28. I’m glad and sorry at the same time

    I’m glad that you had a nice week with your family and I’m sorry the girls grandfather is so sick oh and I finished Inkheart as well as the princess diaries now I’ll wait until tomorrow to figure out what new to read since I read all your books of course! well bye I hope the girls grandfather feels better. – Jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  29. I’m glad and sorry at the same time

    I’m glad that you had a nice week with your family and I’m sorry the girls grandfather is so sick oh and I finished Inkheart as well as the princess diaries now I’ll wait until tomorrow to figure out what new to read since I read all your books of course! well bye I hope the girls grandfather feels better. – Jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  30. I’m glad and sorry at the same time

    I’m glad that you had a nice week with your family and I’m sorry the girls grandfather is so sick oh and I finished Inkheart as well as the princess diaries now I’ll wait until tomorrow to figure out what new to read since I read all your books of course! well bye I hope the girls grandfather feels better. – Jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  31. question

    Oh I didn’t know we could write you regular letters if I send one just send it to the address you recommended to the other two people? – jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  32. question

    Oh I didn’t know we could write you regular letters if I send one just send it to the address you recommended to the other two people? – jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  33. question

    Oh I didn’t know we could write you regular letters if I send one just send it to the address you recommended to the other two people? – jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  34. Re: question

    Yep. But it’s going to take me a while to respond. I am really behind on answering snail mail. And email. I am behind on everything.

  35. Re: question

    Yep. But it’s going to take me a while to respond. I am really behind on answering snail mail. And email. I am behind on everything.

  36. Re: question

    Yep. But it’s going to take me a while to respond. I am really behind on answering snail mail. And email. I am behind on everything.

  37. I’m sending many good thoughts and prayers your way. Very, very sad to hear about that unfortunate news. At least it seems you have a very supporting family that will pull together to get through this.

  38. I’m sending many good thoughts and prayers your way. Very, very sad to hear about that unfortunate news. At least it seems you have a very supporting family that will pull together to get through this.

  39. I’m sending many good thoughts and prayers your way. Very, very sad to hear about that unfortunate news. At least it seems you have a very supporting family that will pull together to get through this.

  40. I imagine they are very proud to see how you are using the strength and joy you inherited from them. We appreciate your prayers.

  41. I imagine they are very proud to see how you are using the strength and joy you inherited from them. We appreciate your prayers.

  42. I imagine they are very proud to see how you are using the strength and joy you inherited from them. We appreciate your prayers.

  43. Dying…

    I’m sorry to hear that. I actually thought of you over the Christmas season, because I found out on Christmas Day that my grandpa is going to die of Melanoma, which is something you have, I’m pretty sure you said you had that. Anyways, it’s sad, but I don’t really get to talk to him that much because he lives like, five hours away from us.

  44. Dying…

    I’m sorry to hear that. I actually thought of you over the Christmas season, because I found out on Christmas Day that my grandpa is going to die of Melanoma, which is something you have, I’m pretty sure you said you had that. Anyways, it’s sad, but I don’t really get to talk to him that much because he lives like, five hours away from us.

  45. Dying…

    I’m sorry to hear that. I actually thought of you over the Christmas season, because I found out on Christmas Day that my grandpa is going to die of Melanoma, which is something you have, I’m pretty sure you said you had that. Anyways, it’s sad, but I don’t really get to talk to him that much because he lives like, five hours away from us.

  46. Re: Dying…

    I am so sorry. That really stinks.

    Yes, I’ve had two spots of melanoma removed. Both were in the very early stages and had not spread. Melanoma is very, very tough to beat once it spreads. I hope you find a way to talk to him some more… maybe writing letters?

  47. Re: Dying…

    I am so sorry. That really stinks.

    Yes, I’ve had two spots of melanoma removed. Both were in the very early stages and had not spread. Melanoma is very, very tough to beat once it spreads. I hope you find a way to talk to him some more… maybe writing letters?

  48. Re: Dying…

    I am so sorry. That really stinks.

    Yes, I’ve had two spots of melanoma removed. Both were in the very early stages and had not spread. Melanoma is very, very tough to beat once it spreads. I hope you find a way to talk to him some more… maybe writing letters?

  49. life

    Always look toward the future. Dont worry about the small stuff and acheive the big stuff and hope for the best.

  50. life

    Always look toward the future. Dont worry about the small stuff and acheive the big stuff and hope for the best.

  51. life

    Always look toward the future. Dont worry about the small stuff and acheive the big stuff and hope for the best.

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