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Quarterly Report: 3Q 2018

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Q3-2018 HopeHeartHome

It was the best of times…it was the worst of times.

Third Quarter 2018 in Statesville, NC

  • morning walks
  • road trips
  • houseguests
  • praying
  • writing
  • remembering
  • farmers market
  • cooking
  • grieving

For those of you who receive my weekly email, which is kind of like a letter from home, know that this summer has been wonderful and difficult. On July 24th we lost our beloved fur friend of 14 years. Sam. He died of complete renal failure due to lousy dog treats from China made with or preserved with of all things, arsenic. Sam went downhill quickly until he could no longer eat or drink. His kidneys basically shriveled up to nothing. It was a rainy day and our buckets of tears fell amidst the drops. Even now as I actually type these words for the first time, I weep. I miss him so. I still look for him at my feet. I still listen for him in the night.

The grief is real. And, now all of you know. One of the hardest losses I’ve experienced. Seriously.

But, please don’t think our summer was totally awful because it wasn’t. Hubs and I took great support in one another – he has become my walking partner. The joke is of course, he refuses to be leashed!!!

We had houseguests from Indiana for a weekend in August.

My sister and her husband were in NC and we had several good times of visitation with them. She taught me how to use the InstantPot, which she got us as a flat-warming present! We went to a gem show together – it was wonderful to spend time with my one and only sibling, Peggy. We talked about the book we are writing for our family. It is titled, Family: Secrets and Sacraments. This book won’t be available on Amazon – but we both will have a supply IF anyone beside family would even want to read it! We’re both working away at it. O! The photos are priceless. This, too, has been an emotional walk-through for both of us. Stirring a lot of “feels.”

Gpa, me, and the grands took off for a day to Lynchburg VA to see where Hannah would be living off-campus. It was a fun day – six hours in the car but we did well.

Our transition “from farm to flat” is one of gratefulness. I don’t think there is a day that goes by without one of us saying, “Thank You, Lord, for this.” It’s been a summertime without weekly yardwork; however, I think I’ve appointed myself grounds keeper here. I use the blower and blow off the front porch, the walkway, the city sidewalk out front! We feed the birds from a branch of the Crepe Myrtle out front. We’ve put nice porch furniture out for all to enjoy. Hubs has even planted some of his heirloom elephant garlic in the landscape! We love watching the crazy squirrels and the people – so many people walking by. I keep a big ceramic bowl full of doggie water for the walkers – the other morning I was delighted to see two finches sitting on the edge of that bowl drinking! The humonguous Holly Tree is abundant with berries – I can only imagine how gorgeous that will be when they bloom to red. I promise to share photos. Of course, there are downsides! Like the bass speakers on the car at 2 a.m. on a Saturday night. The neighbor’s motion light (I’ve installed blackout drapes!). The 39 steps from front porch to my office. But, these obstacles make us stronger not angry! We are blessed in this rich season of reaping.

We enjoy good health. Good strong limbs that can walk (not run) and stretch and reach. We have enough. God is very good to us and we live gratefully.

That’s my third quarter 2018 report. I’d love to hear how you have fared this season in the comments.

My 3rd Q 2018 report. How did you fare this season?

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Dedicated to sweet, Sweet Sam. Run In Peace.

Sweet Sam. Run In Peace.

Sam Shipe. August 20, 2004 – July 24, 2018

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Interesting post, Susan! I do the “What We Learned” at Emily’s place from time to time but I’ve really not thought of doing a quarterly report.
    What a neat picture of Sam to remember him by! He looks happy!
    It’s been so interesting to read of your #farmtoflat experiences. I think it would be great to not worry about yardwork anymore.
    And those 39 steps? They will help keep you strong!

    Reply

    • Jerralea – yes! Our cardio health has improved. LOL. Sam is running wildly in the fields of heaven. O…you have no idea. We had 14 acres and the yard we kept was very hilly – the mowing was quite perilous. HA! But no more. O! Jesus! no more! THANK YOU LORD.

      Reply

  2. I’m so sorry about Sam! I’m glad you’ve had some good things happening during these few months as well, and I love that you and your sister are writing a book together!

    Reply

  3. Aw, sweet Sam. Good to see the pic of him. Grateful that neither you nor Hubs allowed yourself to be consumed by grief and found joy “in the morning,” as the verse goes.

    I am happy to see you happy!

    My big learning, began during Rich’s illness and after his death, and being grafted into the heart of me, is that God’s timing is always perfect. Even when it seems hard.

    xo

    Reply

  4. Sweet memories Sue and so so sad memories too. I am so grateful to my friend Joyce Mauer and her daughter for the cookbook cover and poems about the Fields of Heaven. And all the Mamas that were not or could not be Moms who made those Fields real — full of kids, babies, little ones, big ones, special ones and all the pets that run in those fields of flowers, playing with the One and Only Jesus! They are so real to me and we have so many beloved pets and babies there.

    Thank you Lord Jesus for loving us enough to create such a wonderful place to be.

    Reply

  5. This is so beautiful Susi, and sweet, sweet Sam. It’s still so hard to realize that he’s in heaven now. I’m so happy and so excited for this new season for you and Lowell. Our Lord is so very Faithful, Oh how I miss you, I’m coming soon!

    Reply

  6. Your optimism always inspires me. We’ve had a busy couple of months with business travel BUT along with the business has been time well spent with family and friends. Special, unexpected blessing have come along the way.

    Reply

  9. Susie
    I so enjoyed reading your third-quarter 2018, and being able to picture you in your new setting. I love your picturesque descriptions and the sentence “ these obstacles make us stronger, not angry” seems to be a great mantra…..(barking dogs – you’ll understand)
    And what a sweet picture of Sam.
    We have been busy here, we now have a switch- back road up to the chapel which makes it so much easier to walk up, a new automatic gate at the bridge, new instant water heater-Just as the other was about to rust out. And we have expanded the garden area. The vegetable garden wasn’t great- no luck with Cauliflower or squash. Not really good with tomatoes, but we did have green peppers some onions and cabbage that survived. And of course the wonderful garlic. Thanks,Lowell.
    A wonderful gift this summer was going on a retreat to Maggie Valley with my sister.
    Thanks again for your sharing love to you and Lowell

    Reply

  10. I’m sorry for the loss of your sweet Sam, Susan, and also for how it happened. 🙁 On the other hand, it’s fun to see photos of your new place on Instagram and read about all the things you and your husband are doing these days. You are an inspiration to me to not stay stuck in a my own comfortable rut but to be willing to change and grow and uproot when necessary!

    Reply

  11. I love always reading what you write. I used to “fancy” myself to be a budding writer and I quit long ago. Perhaps I SHOULD take inspiration from you, my ultra-special sister/friend and give it a go again.
    Cupcake still thinks that Sam should be at Sus’ and Lowell’s….as you experienced in August. My heart is so “with you” in your grief.
    My “quarter” has been a time of ups and downs—-what’s new? Family issues are the absolute most hurtful and prevalent, BUT GOD…! Curt and I enjoyed two trips. One was to visit my “spiritual mother” who would have her “home-going” not long after we went to visit (God’s timing was so perfect……that time we spent together, oh, my!). “TRUST” is still my word and I stand in HIS strength.

    Reply

  12. I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear Sam, Susan. It can be so heartbreaking, can’t it? Praying you may be comforted. I’m glad your summer was filled with many blessings though, too. I smiled at your kindness in setting out a bowl of water for walking dogs. And what a treat to see finches, too! Blessings and hugs to you!

    Reply

  14. Susan, it’s lovely to hear a little more about you and your life. I enjoy seeing the updates about the flat on FB too. 🙂
    I’m sorry to hear about your loved companion, Sam. I can imagine the ache in your heart.
    Thank you for sharing bits & pieces of your life with us. ((hugs))

    Reply

  15. Those pets really do become family. I still miss my Grandpuppy, Lilly, even though my heart has been fully captivated with our Grandson’s “sibling Schnauzer-Pepper.” They are such gifts from God. I am grateful for the gift that God gave you in your new home! Blessings!

    Reply

    • Bettie, our grand-girl-dog Bella comes and spends afternoons with us. She thinks she’s a princess when she leaves her sibling Big Sam at home – she prances all the way down from 407 to 229! xo

      Reply

  16. Heartache comes when we least expect it, but joy many times follows. I am so sorry about the loss of your sweet Sam. I can only imagine the deep grief you have been feeling.

    Thank you for sharing and for taking us on a journey with your farm to flat living.

    Reply

    • Mary, your concern through these months has been greatly appreciated. I feel as though you and Tammy M. have been “sitting shiva” with us! xo How’s your new PT job???

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  18. So good, my friend! So sorry about Sam! We still miss our Jonah Boy and it’s been years already –but they are never forgotten! I’ve so enjoyed seeing your transition from Farm to Flat! Who can know what God has planned for us in this next season, but I hope to be a bit more present in blogging again soon –at least for October because –well, because He is oh so bossy about it! 😉

    Reply

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