Going to San Diego was a *huge* step of courage for me. My first big outing after Max died, all by myself... leaving my family and my nest behind. I was scared, anxious, and questioning whether it was even right for me to go. My expectations were drastically low once I did finally decide to go, and I would have been satisfied just by going and staying in the hotel room the entire time if that is what I needed to do.
Thankfully, I did not need to hibernate. The vast majority of the NAPO members were very familiar with my grief journey and reached out and showered me with love, tenderness, care, kind words, and consideration. Literally like an extended family, I had no idea how much I needed a four day LOVE FEST. Went out last night with a group and partied way into the night, and actually had several HOURS of fun, laughing, being silly, and just generally laying down the heavy burden of grief. I seriously did not believe that was even possible.
Beyond the family feel, I was given the gift of some wind beneath the deflated wings of my business. I attended several great classes and have some new ideas and momentum to carry back to The Clutter Cutter. Although I plan to SLEEP for two days when I get home ... I will also be scheduling a team meeting and brainstorming some focus and growth.
My roommate, Teine, a grief survivor herself (her daughter has been gone 7 years now), gave me the gift of a hotel room so that I would agree to go ... and we found out through the time together that God also had plans for what I could give back to her as well. Isn't that amazing? That in deep grief, planning only on taking, God's plans are always so much bigger than what we could ever know. When I started writing on facebook, it wasn't for anyone but me ... and yet I have seen how God has used that to bless many others. I am so grateful to be a vessel for Him. If He can use me, He can use anybody!!
Todd told me it would be good for me to go, I hate it when he is right!! I can't wait to get back home to my family and my nest ... but will MISS all my wonderful NAPO friends, who have solidified their place in my heart FOREVER after this weekend.
Thankfully, I did not need to hibernate. The vast majority of the NAPO members were very familiar with my grief journey and reached out and showered me with love, tenderness, care, kind words, and consideration. Literally like an extended family, I had no idea how much I needed a four day LOVE FEST. Went out last night with a group and partied way into the night, and actually had several HOURS of fun, laughing, being silly, and just generally laying down the heavy burden of grief. I seriously did not believe that was even possible.
Beyond the family feel, I was given the gift of some wind beneath the deflated wings of my business. I attended several great classes and have some new ideas and momentum to carry back to The Clutter Cutter. Although I plan to SLEEP for two days when I get home ... I will also be scheduling a team meeting and brainstorming some focus and growth.
My roommate, Teine, a grief survivor herself (her daughter has been gone 7 years now), gave me the gift of a hotel room so that I would agree to go ... and we found out through the time together that God also had plans for what I could give back to her as well. Isn't that amazing? That in deep grief, planning only on taking, God's plans are always so much bigger than what we could ever know. When I started writing on facebook, it wasn't for anyone but me ... and yet I have seen how God has used that to bless many others. I am so grateful to be a vessel for Him. If He can use me, He can use anybody!!
Todd told me it would be good for me to go, I hate it when he is right!! I can't wait to get back home to my family and my nest ... but will MISS all my wonderful NAPO friends, who have solidified their place in my heart FOREVER after this weekend.
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