I have received so many heartfelt messages, emails, cards, and flowers and I can’t begin to tell you how much that has meant to me. Losing Jim has been devastating and your outpouring of love and support has been a special gift. I am sure you have all experienced many people who don’t understand bloggers and friends you make through social media. Some of you I have met in person, but I feel like I know all of you and you are such a very special group of ladies. Through our blogs and social media, we all share our lives, our homes, and our families. We cheer each other on and always have each other’s backs. When one is hurting, we all hurt with them. That has been so true of all of you. You have poured out your hearts and your love to me. My heart truly ached as many of you shared your story of how you walked this path before me after losing your husband. Picking up the pieces, learning to cherish the memories without a flood of tears, and holding love close to your hearts. I can’t thank you enough or tell you how much that has meant to me.
I am trying to put one foot in front of the other on a daily basis. Everything seems so hard. Even though I may not have always commented on your latest projects, I have enjoyed seeing them and checking in on your blogs. One of my favorite blog projects has always been hosting the Seasonal Home Tours. I needed time this season to be with my family after Jim’s death, so I contacted the ladies that always participate in the tours and explained that I wouldn’t be able to host this season. No surprise, everyone stepped up and 30 ladies pulled together to continue the 2020 Fall Home Tour. Linda @ It All Started With Paint stepped up to host and organize this season, and each lady that will be sharing their homes on the tour has made a special effort to inspire you with their Fall Home Decor. This is just one example of the kind of outpouring love that I have received. Be sure to mark your calendar for Sept 14 thru 18 to see 6 fabulous homes each day.
Again THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. You have no idea how much your love, support, and comforting words have meant to me. I am still a mess trying to just breathe and take each day as it comes, but you guys are my rocks. Marty
Hola Marty..Me alegra saber que usted está siguiendo adelante..La vida nos cambia de un momento a otro y con esta situación de la Pandemia aún más. Acá en Costa Rica aumentan los casos y muchas personas nos han abandonado..Agradezco a Dios tener mi familia y continuar,…Pero si esto nos toca lo más hondo de nuestros corazones. Es usted una mujer muy valiente..y tiene al lado muchas personas que aunque no la conocemos personalmente es como si lo fuera porque como bien usted lo dice a las que nos gusta seguir blogers y youtobers..hacemos una conexión muy personal..Abrazos a la distancia y aquí estaré apreciando cada día lo que haces…Bendiciones
I’m so sorry for your loss Marty. I’m just seeing this now. Keep taking things one day at a time. I hope you find comfort and peace during this time.
Marty it’s so great to hear from you. I gave known you for a long time. You’re a special lady, my heart still hurts for all the challenges you may face.
Again I’m so sorry.
Cindy
Praying for you dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
I wouldn’t even be able to begin to understand what you are going through. But, I have prayed for you many times and will continue to do so. My mom told me one time, sometimes we just have to take it hour by hour.
My best to you, Linda
Marty I just saw this. I’m so so sorry I had no idea. To be honest I’m only now beginning to be more present in blogland after losing Patrick in Sept 2018. So I know the ‘survival mode’ you may be going through. I’m so happy that you have so much support and love, it is truly LOVE that will get you through your hardest days.
If’ there’s anything i can do please email me at mizgmoss@yahoo.com
Warmly
Leslie Harris aka Gwen Moss
I’m so sorry. Continue prayers for your healing.
Continued prayers for you Marty. My heart hurts for you and losing your sweet Jim. This really brings home this hideous virus to all of us when one of us in blog land has such a great loss due to this virus. I am so sorry sweet friend. I have a few friends that lost their husbands and told me that time does not make the loss go away but it does make life a little easier to move forward. Everyone is so different in how they grieve and I know your family will be a real comfort to you. Prayers sweet friend. xoxo
Marty, my heart goes out to you. It is such a devastating loss to lose your spouse, I can’t even begin to imagine. I am holding you in my prayers. May you feel the Everlasting Arms holding you, and His peace that passes all understanding.
Love and hugs,
Pam
Marty, I hope this comment goes through as I have been unable to comment due to a glitch with Blogger…so hopefully maybe this one will go through….I was so very sorry to hear of Jim’s tragic passing. Losing the love of your life cannot be described in any words.
I pray for you and your family and hope you find joy and strength in the memories that you have of Jim.
My sincerely condolences Marty.
Dear Marty, May God help you find moments of peace during this very difficult time. Just knowing that every flower will bring you beautiful memories of your master gardener is a blessing that some of us don’t have to cherish. Stay safe and I hope that your health has greatly improved. I will keep you in my daily prayers.
Marty, thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers. May God bless and keep you.
Marty, my heart breaks for you. I pray daily that the Lord comforts you and even thought it will take time, you will heal. I was so happy to see you here this morning. Take your time sweet lady and know we love you.
I was glad to see your post and know how you are doing. You need to take care of yourself and the rest will take care of itself. I lost my parents within a year. I saved the notes and cards I received not for any specific reason. Now, six years later I occasionally reread those messages and its amazing how much they mean to me six years later.
You are in my prayers as is your family.
Oh my dear sweet Marty. What a nice surprise seeing you posted.
I am thinking of your every single day. You take all the time in the world to return. We are all here praying for you and thinking of you and missing you…..we will be waiting until you are able. Don’t push yourself, grief takes time – that is the healing agent: time.
Love always, and lots of hugs!
Michele
Marty, I cannot express how sorry I am for your loss – I can only imagine such a deep loss. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Patty
Just found out, God bless you, will be praying for you and the family
God bless you !
Marty, I am not a blogger but I follow many many blogs, and over the years I have never read so many kind words expressed about a blogger as have been shared about you. Your support and encouragement to others has been inspiring. Please, just know when you are having a bad day, the love and prayers of your blogger community will hold you up. God bless you, dear Marty
Dear sweet Marty
I’ve been praying for you daily. Can’t imagine what you are going through. We all grieve differently take your time. Love and hugs dear friend.
Marty I have been thinking of you and praying for you since you posted regarding your husband. My heart goes out to you and your family. One day at a time is all you need to do. We cant change yesterday and can do nothing about tomorrow, but we can do what we can with today.
Two years ago my oldest son lost his wife to cancer. She was only 43 and we were completely un prepared. She was diagnosed and died about 3 weeks later, leaving two sons ages 19 and 16. Our family was devestaed but time heals, and the most important part of learning to get over it was our faith. I know you have faith and just keep close to God and he will be with you and help you during this dreadful time. I have always loved your blog and follow it all the time but I am not a blogger myself. Love, Mary Lynn Lewis
Marty, I’m glad to see your post today. I have prayed for you often and will continue praying. I have a friend who lost her husband about the same time you lost Jim. He was a pastor and they had just celebrated their 5th anniversary. The virus seems to be impacting us all in a sad way. Please know you have many people who are keeping you close to heart.
Oh my gosh, Marty. I just saw this and am stunned. I had no idea y’all were dealing with COVID-19. My sincerest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your husband their father. I will pray for all of you during this tragic time of healing.
Marty, Take your time to grieve and spend as much time with your family. Cherish your photos and memories. It is not an easy task but your faith in God will get you through. With sympathy, Maureen
I am just seeing this now; I never realized you were fighting Covid-19. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences to you and to your family. My prayers are with all of you.
Marty, so impressed to see your post today. This time has been difficult for Jim’s cohort also. Many many gardeners here have found this harsh reality in which we live through you and our friend Jim. We are hesitant to bother you, but know that very many people are thinking about you and praying for you. If we can help in any way, call me!
Oh Marty,
It was so good to see you post hon, altho I certainly understand why you haven’t but I have kept checking back every so often to see if you had posted yet. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard this has to be…..these things are just so shocking when it happens so quickly like this. You have been in my prayers hon and will continue to be. May God bless every step forward that you take sweetie,
and take your time…..we will all be here waiting for you.
Healing Blessings,
Nellie
I was so glad to see this post. I have been praying for you and will be continuing to do so. Take the time you need to grieve before you try to move on. All the best.
Do what you can, when you can – let the rest go. Go easy on yourself. Grief is very difficult. Time just takes time – so much time. Taking your days moment by moment is often the best you can do. Sending prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss…..take care of yourself, and remember you have so many people that care about you.
Continued prayers as you start a new season of life. So hard to lose someone you love. May you take time and care for yourself.
I’ve thought of you often. I hope with each week that passes you’ll grow emotionally stronger. Take care of yourself and know that we all care about you.
Marty, so glad to see you post today. Thru you we all knew Jim and glad you gave him a Sunday to answer our questions.
Three years ago, I lost one brother in May, another in June, and out of nowhere my son in law died in Aug. My daughter has had a hard time dealing.
Know that you are in our prayers and you may have a void in your life, but you are not alone.
Most important, how do you feel now after pneumonia and the virus ?
Thank you so much, I am feeling better and getting stronger every day. God Bless
Marty, I am so very sorry of your loss of your beloved husband. I know you only from enjoying your blog posts for many years. May God’s Blessings bring you and your family healing and Peace.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Praying that God will comfort you and bring to mind all the sweet memories as you grieve the profound loss. Praising the Lord that you have found support and encouragement through fellow bloggers and followers.
I have been thinking about you so much, Marty. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Marty, I am so glad to see you post. I lost my husband of 59 years last October and it was very fast but due to leukemia (unexpected). He had Crohn’s disease. I had been with him since I was 15 and he was 16. I learn to take each day as it came – not always easy. My son and daughter has been a blessing to me. Hang in there Marty – we all love you and pray for you each day. The main thing is to grieve when you feel like it and take your time. Be kind to yourself and do what you need to do heal. Sending you ((((hugs)))) and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. This is totally devastating. God Bless
Remember, Marty there is no right way to grieve. Take it one day at a time, or one minute at a time. Whatever works for you. You have been in my thoughts…
Continuing my prayers for your peace and comfort . Grieving is a slow process; give it all the time you need.
So very good to see a post from you. Take all the time you need and we will be here waiting to see what comes next. Loss of a spouse is life changing and my heart really goes out to you. God bless you.
Marty,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you and your family in prayer. And be assured, that our faithful God will be laying you on others’ hearts when you need it most. He is ever faithful; He cannot be otherwise.
I am so glad to see and read this update. Every few days I checked in just to see if there was something from you. I cannot imagine your pain and grief. Take your time, heal and be kind to yourself.
Fondly,
Ramona Lakefield ON Canada
Marty, I am not a blogger but I have enjoyed your blog for many years. I join others who are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. This life is very unpredictable but one thing is certain, as Christians you will be together again. God bless you.
This is stunning news, Marty and my heart is breaking for you. May the Lord hold you tightly in His arms and comfort you.
I am not a blogger but I enjoy the many that I follow. I was so sorry to read about your loss and pray for you and your family and I hope each step you take forward will comfort you 🙏
How glad I am to know that you’ve been surrounded with support since Jim’s death. Once again, I can’t help but say I am so sorry for this horrific loss. May God bless you as you continue to grieve and as you learn to live again.
It really is a lovely group of ladies and I’m glad you have this extra layer of support and love to surround you at this most difficult and sad time. I’m so so sorry for your loss and am sending you hugs. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily….
Marty, I have followed your blog for years and enjoyed the posts. I am so sorry about your husband and the life journey you have begun. Everyone has a different path after a loss and there is no right or wrong path. I am grateful you are close to family and you have all of us for support. Jim is with you and it will help to talk to him often.
Hello I am a blog follower and started following after losing someone dear to me. The blogs I follow have always helped me have a connection without any responsibilities! So thanks to all of the bloggers out there! Marty, I am happy you let us know how you are doing. Looking forward to the Fall Home Tour. Thank you to all of the bloggers that go to all the work for others to enjoy. All the homes are lovely. Thank you Marty!
Sweet sweet Marty,
You have been on my heart. I am so sorry for everything that has happened. Just know you are so brave and such an inspiration to so many. Sending you extra prayers from Texas and know I’m here if I can help in anyway or if you need anything at all.
KariAnne
Thank you so much KariAnne. My heart is crushed beyond repair, but I am trying to put one foot in front of the other. Thank you for your prayers and for your comforting thoughts. I will make it through this with God’s help. Marty
Oh goodness Marty, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I lost my first husband when I was 32 in an accident so I know the grief you are feeling. That was a long time ago for me. I wish I could say or do something to help you, just take one day at a time and remember the good times.
Thank you so much Deena. I am so sorry for your loss also. Walking this new road is so much harder than I ever thought it could be. Marty
It’s so good to see you back, Marty! I’m beyond thankful you feel the love and support of those who are rallying around you and lifting you up in prayer daily. I know this is not an easy path to walk. Every day will be different. I hope you continue to feel loved, supported, and encouraged as each day unfolds. You are treasured! Big hugs, CoCo
HI Marty,
I have been checking in on your blog and just now saw this post. You have been on my mind and sending you prayers and peace.
YOu were one of the first bloggers I followed and the first one to reply to my comment. Lean in my blogger friend and we will carry you when you need a moment. Laura in Colorado.
Thank you so much for such loving support. Some days are better than others, but I find the smallest thing can get the tears flowing. This is such a hard journey, but you all are carrying me through. Thanks so much. Love, Marty