Dum Spiro, Spero

I am quote hunting tonight. I found a fantastic Latin quote, "Dum spiro, spero" It means, 

while I breath, I hope. 

What keeps me going each day? Hope. The hope that good things will come, I just have to believe! And, I do. Here are a few "HOPE" quotes for the week...


“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.”

“May the love hidden deep inside your heart find the love waiting in your dreams. May the laughter that you find in your tomorrow wipe away the pain you find in your yesterdays.”

“Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, to those who still love even though they've been hurt before.”

“When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better.”

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”

“Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams become reality.”

This one is so very true...

“Hope is the feeling that the feeling you have isn't permanent.”

Tattoo-changed

Bill decided he wanted to change the tattoo on his arm. A few weeks ago, he went in and had Sophie's name placed above his cross and her birthstone color added as fill inside the cross. I think it turned out pretty cool.

Adventures of Dana, Carter and Gus

Carter, Gus and I went on an adventure last Friday. The rest of his family had appointments so we headed to the farm for an adventure.

 Carter road his bike around.

 Gus ate icky things and dug holes.

 We looked at fossils in the rocks.

 Ran after Grandpa Dale in his pick up.

 We had fun climbing in the trees...we were kind of safe...

 Took a break and checked out the landscape.

 Had a little fun inside, putting a puppy puzzle together. Man, does Carter need a dog!

 Then, when it was time to head home, we relaxed and enjoyed the ride.

March

We made it through March. Tough month, tough days but we made it. Easter week is upon us and is proving to be healing as we walk through the darkness and remember the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us. Tonight's service was special and healing. These past two Easters have been hard but I had no idea that this Easter would be even more difficult. We continue to pray for peace and look towards hope and pray that next Easter we can feel joy and peace again.

We are coping and finding many different avenues for healing. We are trying hard to forgive and ignore some of the comments made with the best of intentions. Sometimes it is harder than others but as we both know, no one means to hurt us, it is just their way of attempting to be helpful. I got a few really special cards and emails this week from friends that made me smile. I know my teacher friends and others care. It really helps just knowing someone cares and hasn't forgotten about us and Sophie. They fill my heart with warmth for just a bit and it feels good.

We are healing in our own way, we are grieving in our own way. Only we know what is best for us and what is a good idea. There is no time limit or period when we will be okay, we just have to keep trying to find joy and peace in our new normal. We appreciate those who allow us to grieve and not judge us because we aren't up for an outing and respect us when they see us crying in an aisle at Target. It means more than words can tell, very comforting.

This week my favorite verse has helped me a few times when I felt the anger, bitterness and frustration well up inside of me. It helps remember that joy and peace that I am looking towards.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.