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February 2, 2023

Good Riddance, January!

19 Comments/ 235/ 1

January 2023 has been a very tough month for me and I am happy to say good riddance to it. I usually don’t have a bad attitude about months or things that I can do nothing about but honestly –January has been one of the most difficult months I have had in a very long time.

I guess it was all the death and sickness that seemed to be prevalent for our family this past month. Chris’s great uncle passed away, my mom’s best friend at Copeland Oaks passed away, my favorite high school teacher and choir director passed away and yesterday we found out that Chris’s great aunt had passed away that day. One of my good friends from Freeport had a stroke and is recovering in a rehabilitation place. But the hardest was going to a celebration of life on Monday for one of our good friends from when we lived in Mooresville – Jeff Richardson.

All of the other deaths were sad, of course, but each of those people were well into their 80’s and 90’s and they had all lived long and full lives. Jeff was only 67. A mere 5 years older than I am. When I got the news I was in shock. I have to admit I was in a fog all weekend and all I could think of was how his wife, my friend Melia, was doing. How on earth do you wake up the next day and not have your loved one next to you in bed? It is heart breaking.

The service was held at our former church and was a wonderful celebration of a wonderful man. The songs we sang together were songs that I have always wanted at my own service — It Is Well With my Soul and Great is Thy Faithfulness. To hear the entire overflowing church sing those two songs together was something I won’t soon forget. The family did such a wonderful job of planning the perfect service for a truly special man. I am so grateful we were able to be there.

Chris and I have talked so much the past few days about our future and what we want to do. I think the reality once you reach 60 years of age is you realize you have more runway behind you than in front of you. This is just made even clearer when a friend passes away suddenly and far too soon.

With that in mind — I am going to live each day to the fullest, hug those I can when I can, laugh loudly over funny cat videos, read all the books, do the things I want to do, spend as much time with Chris as I can on adventures and not apologize to anyone for living life.

I am so grateful for each of these people who were a part of my life who are no longer here physically and for their influence on me. What gifts each of them gave me with their examples over the years.

Yes, January was difficult. It’s a new month and one filled with possibilities and adventures. Let’s all make the most of every single moment.

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deaths difficult times grief January sadness
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19 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Darlene
    February 02, 2023 at 07:06 am

    I’m so sorry to hear of all the special people in your life who have passed on recently. It is always tough. But I do like what has come out of it, that is to live life to the fullest. I agree with that sentiment and sometimes losing people is a reminder. Wishing you a better February. BTW, did the ground hog see his shadow this morning?

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 02, 2023 at 07:08 am

      Thanks, Darlene! Still waiting on Phil! Will report back!

      Reply
    2. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 02, 2023 at 07:31 am

      He saw his shadow—- 6 more weeks of winter!

      Reply
      1. Darlene
        February 03, 2023 at 10:32 am

        Oh dear. Sorry to hear it. Xo

        Reply
        1. Beth Ann Chiles
          February 03, 2023 at 10:41 am

          I am headed to the beach today so it’s all good!

          Reply
  2. My Odd Family
    February 02, 2023 at 07:29 am

    It is very hard to wake up without your loved one beside you. When it is sudden it leaves you numb for a long time. But with good friends and lots of love you move your right foot and left foot forward and life goes on–it always hurts but the scenery changes and it doesn’t hurt all the time. At least that is my experience. I’m sorry for all your losses. As Cole would said –that sucks! February! Rabbit Rabbit (belated but heartfelt and a hug). Response to your sweet email soon. ♥~

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 02, 2023 at 07:33 am

      You know first hand and I did think of you when this happened. You have lived it. I hope you are well—- have missed you!

      Reply
  3. jena c. henry
    February 02, 2023 at 07:41 am

    Beth Ann, you are a very good example of how to live a meaningful Christian life. You show live and compassion in every post. So yes, cry with people, smile with people and have a beautiful day! (Also, we are in Florida, we do a water aerobics class every day- those 80 year olds keep going strong!)

    Reply
  4. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    February 02, 2023 at 11:35 am

    Oh, Beth Ann, I am sorry for all the personal loss you’ve felt in one month. That’s a lot. My heart hurts for you. I am thankful for your faith, for your loving husband and family, and for your ability to focus on the positive and living life to its fullest, without apology.

    Reply
  5. Susi K.
    February 02, 2023 at 12:55 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about all this loss in your life in just one short month. It’s a lot sometimes and I’m sending you big hugs and lots of love!

    Reply
  6. Mama's Empty Nest
    February 02, 2023 at 03:04 pm

    Goodness, that is a lot of loss for one month and a month that’s kind of difficult in the first place. So sorry to hear it. I’m older than you and as I’m getting closer and closer to 70, I can hardly believe that most of my life is behind me instead of still in front. I found that I did start thinking and planning for the future and what is left of it when I hit 60. Each day of life is precious but sadly, we don’t always remember that when we’re younger.

    Reply
  7. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    February 02, 2023 at 07:16 pm

    Sometimes life throws a curve ball at us one at a time. So sorry January was so rough. So sorry for your friends & family.

    Reply
  8. dawnkinster
    February 02, 2023 at 08:03 pm

    Awww Beth Ann, I’m so sorry. That’s a lot of loss, and when someone goes so young it’s a shock. Especially when they’re our age. Near the end of January I found out that an old boyfriend of mine died a year ago. That was quite sobering for me. I feel for his wife too, he was only 6 years older than me. I agree, the older we get (and we’re getting older faster and faster) the harder it is to ignore the big decisions we need to make and the fact that we’ve lived most of our lives already…just when we were getting good at it! 🙂 Sending you big hugs. February just HAS to be better. Go ahead and dance and sing and laugh out loud. Read the books, eat the cake, travel as much as you can. Life is still good.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 02, 2023 at 08:05 pm

      My view exactly! Headed to the beach tomorrow, New Jersey in a few weeks to babysit and Waco at the end of the month. It helps to have things to look forward to!

      Reply
  9. reneewilliams7
    February 02, 2023 at 08:49 pm

    Goodness, that is a lot. I’m so very sorry. You have a lovely attitude, though, to keep going and living life to its fullest. Enjoy! Celebrate today!

    Reply
  10. Melia
    February 04, 2023 at 09:23 am

    ❤️

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 04, 2023 at 02:52 pm

      Love you, Melia!

      Reply
  11. judithhb
    February 06, 2023 at 12:00 am

    And don’t forget to tell your friends and family that you love them every day. When you get to my vast age (hopefully) and funerals come more frequently snd good things are said of the departed, I find myself wondering if they told the person that when they were alive to appreciate it. I make sure everyone that is important to me knows how much I love them and appreciate them. Taking off my life coach hat now.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 06, 2023 at 08:22 am

      Yes!!! A million times yes!

      Reply

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