Poor Tia

Well, our family has been thrown another blow. Our Tia was 17 weeks pregnant and had literally just gotten her blood work to say that the pregnancy was going well and little baby Norah Elaine was healthy and all things looked great when suddenly this past Saturday, January 9, 2021 she went into labor and delivered little Norah who had passed a few days prior. We were heartbroken and heartbroken for Tia and Drew. We had already experienced this twice with Candi and now Tia with her first child had to experience this sad loss. However, we could not be more proud of her and Drew's strength they have shown and how they have leaned on their faith, family, and close friends to help them get through this difficult time. They have faced this loss with grace and maturity like I've never seen before. We could not have asked for better kids and for them to handle this any better than what we have seen with these two amazing kids of ours. We are truly blessed and sad at the same time. We know that Tia and Drew are both very strong and healthy young people and they will have a baby when the Lord is ready for them to have one. Continued prayers for their strength and healing during this time and for them to have renewed happiness when they become pregnant the next time.

Grief and COVID

This will sound odd to most, but those who have lost a child will get it (I hope). I've never been a super social person, but since Chad passed away, I became even less social. I cherished/cherish my time at home and in somewhat of solitude. Once COVID hit the first of March 2020, we had daddy here full time and working full time so there wasn't a lot of quiet time to think or process. If I wasn't working I was taking care of daddy and then it would be meal time, bed time and start over the next day. Since daddy passed in June it has been a bit different. I've had a chance to do my full time job and in down time or after logging off I can have some mental and emotional down time. That has been a blessing. I explained to my sister, Paige, that honestly it has been a blessing to have COVID lockdowns simply because I am not having to put on this facade in front of everyone at work like everything is okay. Everything will never be okay as long as I am on this earth without my son. However, COVID has been a blessing for me so that I can just do my job and not have to fake my feelings or put on a front for everyone so they aren't uncomforable. I don't like over-using the word grief, but I think in some way I will forever grieve the loss of my son. It does, however, make it easier to face my own feelings and do my job without feeling so exhausted when I get home from work. I do hope and pray that I am able to continue to work from home until such time that I can retire. I never want to have to go into that social enviornment again unless it is just for seeing some friends and we can do that righ here at home or on the patio so much better. So for me, even though Tebo and I both got COVID, I enjoy being home and not having to face people all day long and put on this happy face and make sure those around me don't feel uncomfortable or uneasy or obligated. So thank you in a way COVID for at least my time being home. I do hate that so many have lost their lives and suffered mentally, emotionally, financially and all other ways folks have struggled, but for me it has been a hidden blessing. Not only did I get great time with daddy before having to tell him good-bye for the last time, but it is helping my heart and mind heal.