The floods of disappointment and heartache makes the soul
reach for higher ground.
Today is one of those days.
Fourteen years ago I
said goodbye to my husband of twenty-five years. A man who loved me more than words could say
and hurt me in ways that made me stronger than I ever dreamed. He was a man whose x-ray eyes melted my armor
and taught me what love really is.
On this date, August 14, fourteen years ago, I set out to learn how to
survive. I never expected to do anything more. To
imagine more, seemed impossible.
For months I cried out, fighting the
heartache which had left the bedroom light on, preventing sleep. Somehow, through
my suffering, I found the strength to shove the tear soaked pillow aside and I rose
to the days’ challenges. And day by day the magical wonderment of a new life opened
up, becoming a pageant beyond my imagination.
I died a hundred times from fear during my first solo motor home
trip across
country from California to Florida, but in the process, but I found
strength not just to survive but to live big and large. I created a life which many envy.
In life, there are always hurdles and challenges, some mundane, like
a flat tire, and others devastating, like the loss of a loved one. Each one is
life changing, the flat tire as much as the stabs to the heart. The flat tire may have allowed me to avoid a deadly car accident. the hurt to my heart healed, making me able to love even more.
And that is worth everything.
The last fourteen years have been one hell of a ride. I am looking forward to the next fourteen.
Bring it on!
THE GRIEVING GIFT
Janice’s older sister, Margaret, wanted to believe that the L.A. doctors at Cedars Sinai Medical Center held a magical deck of cards, but after eight years of treatment they dealt their final card. The Hospice card. No miracles for Margaret. Janice reassures her big sister she will be there, holding her hand every step of the way.
On a death watch, you get to know things about a person you wish you didn’t. It is like a roller coaster ride. And like most rides, it brings us back to the place we began, reminding us of who we were and who we have become.
The twists and turns of Janice’s emotional journey transports her back through the repercussions of her teen pregnancy and into the present estrangement from her daughter, whom she has not heard from for the last sixteen years.
Coming to terms with the grief of losing her sweet Margaret, and dealing with her fear of a lonely future is too much for Janice to imagine. When Margaret’s soul goes to rest in L.A. heaven, how will Janice face the emptiness? Will there be such a thing as a Grieving Gift?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The death of Judy Howard’s husband gave the author a wake up call. Life is short. Howard sold her pet grooming business, which she had operated since the age of eleven and engaged full throttle into her new passions of writing and traveling.
Judy Howard’s writing career expands across many genres, including memoir, romantic mystery, reality fiction, travel and young adult, and now with THE GRIEVING GIFT, an autobiographical novel.
In all of Howard’s books the theme is always the same - overcoming life’s difficulties.
Judy lives full-time in her Winnebago motorhome with her cat, Sportster, traveling across the country as a motivational speaker and offering writing seminars.
When Judy and Sportster are not traveling, they spend their time in Sun City, California.
Oh, and don’t forget!! Readers’ reviews keep writers motivated.
USEFUL LINKS
Judy's Blog: The Writings and Wanderings Of An RV Widow
Sportster's Blog: The Cat's Perspective Of Reading, Writing And Life
Click on the link below to find out more about Judy's books.
Safe travels!
CONTACT JUDY HOWARD
jhoward1935@gmail.com
