Hello all,
Three of the kids, Valerie, Sarah and Robert, are in Idaho for a one-week mission trip. Read more about it on the blog.
http://idahorevelation.blogspot.com/
Pat H
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Long overdue update
Hello all,
I have stopped and started numerous blog entries over the past months, but have been unable to complete one for various reasons. So, I will post this one, even if it is incomplete.
Life for the family has been hard at times, other times we have never felt closer. The holidays were especially challenging, with each of us hitting a wall at various times. Like with Thanksgiving, the events and preparation leading up to Christmas were the most difficult. Decorating the tree, and taking it down, buying presents, meal prep were not the same. The day of each holiday was itself Ok, if not very good. The children continue to be an inspiration to me, with their resilience and positive attitude.
I never realized how empty I could feel without Jeanne.
Thank you to all that try to encourage us, or pray for us. I know I especially do not always ask or accept help well. So, thank you for trying anyway.
Pat Hazleton
I have stopped and started numerous blog entries over the past months, but have been unable to complete one for various reasons. So, I will post this one, even if it is incomplete.
Life for the family has been hard at times, other times we have never felt closer. The holidays were especially challenging, with each of us hitting a wall at various times. Like with Thanksgiving, the events and preparation leading up to Christmas were the most difficult. Decorating the tree, and taking it down, buying presents, meal prep were not the same. The day of each holiday was itself Ok, if not very good. The children continue to be an inspiration to me, with their resilience and positive attitude.
I never realized how empty I could feel without Jeanne.
Thank you to all that try to encourage us, or pray for us. I know I especially do not always ask or accept help well. So, thank you for trying anyway.
Pat Hazleton
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Fashion Revue
The spotlight moves to Sarah, now, literally. She participated in the Oregon State Fair 4H Fashion Revue last weekend.
We have attached a link to the Statesman-Journal newspaper's website that has a photo of her in action: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=J0&Date=20080823&Category=STATEFAIR&ArtNo=808230804&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=18
The dress she modeled is the dress she made, and wore, for Nicole's wedding in February. As well, she and another girl from our town were responsible for organizing this year's event at the State Fair.
Good Job Sarah.
Pat (proud Dad)
We have attached a link to the Statesman-Journal newspaper's website that has a photo of her in action: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=J0&Date=20080823&Category=STATEFAIR&ArtNo=808230804&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=18
The dress she modeled is the dress she made, and wore, for Nicole's wedding in February. As well, she and another girl from our town were responsible for organizing this year's event at the State Fair.
Good Job Sarah.
Pat (proud Dad)
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why...did Jeanne have to die? Why did she die, and not someone else? Why did she get cancer? Why did she live 48 years, and not 88? or 68, or 18 or 8? *
Why...did such a beautiful person, who so lovingly touched so many people, and was only beginning to touch so many others, die?
Why?
Why?
Why?
A chaplain/friend said I am asking the unanswerable question. He said this side of heaven, I will never know the answer. As much as I know his statement is true, it does not satisfy my need. In fact, like so many of my recent experiences, there is a huge disconnect between the answers that my head understands, and my heart comprehends. I wonder if this is more difficult for me because I tend toward the cerebral, while grief emanates from the soul.
I visited Mary's Peak on our anniversary. It was a very emotionally draining and cathartic time. The Peak has always been a special place for Jeanne and I. As I was leaving, I found my self saying goodbye. Goodbye to our memories there, to the significance of that special place, and yes, I even said goodbye to Jeanne. Everything in my spirit has resisted acknowledging she is gone. (the old head/heart struggle again.) But, she is gone physically. Not since the memorial service have I felt such a release, nor has her absence been so dramatic.
Pat
* I may seem ungrateful for the years I did have with her. For those who have endured the loss of a very young person, I apologize if I seem insensitive.
Why?
Why?
Why...did Jeanne have to die? Why did she die, and not someone else? Why did she get cancer? Why did she live 48 years, and not 88? or 68, or 18 or 8? *
Why...did such a beautiful person, who so lovingly touched so many people, and was only beginning to touch so many others, die?
Why?
Why?
Why?
A chaplain/friend said I am asking the unanswerable question. He said this side of heaven, I will never know the answer. As much as I know his statement is true, it does not satisfy my need. In fact, like so many of my recent experiences, there is a huge disconnect between the answers that my head understands, and my heart comprehends. I wonder if this is more difficult for me because I tend toward the cerebral, while grief emanates from the soul.
I visited Mary's Peak on our anniversary. It was a very emotionally draining and cathartic time. The Peak has always been a special place for Jeanne and I. As I was leaving, I found my self saying goodbye. Goodbye to our memories there, to the significance of that special place, and yes, I even said goodbye to Jeanne. Everything in my spirit has resisted acknowledging she is gone. (the old head/heart struggle again.) But, she is gone physically. Not since the memorial service have I felt such a release, nor has her absence been so dramatic.
Pat
* I may seem ungrateful for the years I did have with her. For those who have endured the loss of a very young person, I apologize if I seem insensitive.