The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Hubby has been scoping out hunting places on state lands because he is disabled and can drive the trooper there. He has been bugging me for the past several weeks to go and look at one with him. I have been too exhausted from work or our schedules just haven't meshed so that I could go.
He let me sleep in this morning until 6am and woke me up with a cup of coffee. Got dressed and headed out. The sun was coming up with the fog lifting. It was so cool! We arrived and parked the car and listened to the sound of the woods. My brain couldn't quite settle down at first. I was thinking about the bills to pay, work, and chores that needed to be done when we got back. Hubby leans over and kisses me and tells me to settle. That's all it took. I started looking around slowly at the beauty of the woods and all the sounds. We then went for a walk looking for dear tracks. He would whisper what the different sounds were: a squirrel freaking out, a racoon, etc. We then sat on a log for a good hour and half without saying a word to each other. Yes, I can sit still that long. The forest was gorgeous. I've forgotten how much getting back in touch with nature can get me in touch with my HP.
As I looked over at this man, I realized how far we've come in the past four months. Four months ago he could barely open his eyes. Now we are sitting in the woods listening to nature, with the sun shining and hearing the squirrel drop pinecones from above. Never thought a pinecone could make so much noise! I felt no stress, no worries, nothing but serenity. I realized when I looked at him, I hadn't felt this same sensation except one other time. We were on the Salmon River in upstate NY and he was fishing. I snapped a picture of him then. It was the moment I realized how much I really loved this man. Once again we were in the woods and the sound of the river and the simple joys of mother nature and HP were present. I said a prayer thanking God for this moment. I prayed for his continued recovery and mine, and for others.
I didn't want to leave today. I didn't want to go back to civilization. But alas, who would keep Pipers Kitty in line if we didn't? We did come home and do our errands. Pipers Kitty was waiting for us. How dare we leave her all morning, even though she was outside and having a ball? Hubby is now asleep curled up with Pipers. I'm about to join them.
I must remember to take this feeling of serenity with me wherever I go. I told hubby to keep pushing me to go with him even when I think I don't. I have forgotten how much I love the deep woods. Seeing the chipmunks, racoons, squirrels, rabbits and even a frog (no Debilyn I did not run away in fright. I had the mighty hunter with me to protect me from the bears and frogs! ) The sun coming through the trees, the coolness of the morning and the changing of the leaves. I could go on and on. It is this feeling I will always remember. What a cool journey this life is. Wouldn't change it for the world.
Love and blessings to you all.
Live strong,
Karilynn, Sleepy Hubby and Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Thank you so much for the lovely post....I live in the woods..can sit ride out on my deck and see it all...don't take the time....how true it is that nature is a blessed and wonderful site to see....it's the world living all around us...
I am so happy for you and hubbys serenity..it makes my heart feel good dear friend...I am so glad that it this crazy world of addiction you found peace...May God keep guiding both of you into a beautiful and wonderful futher....
Your post was beautiful and your description of nature was so perfect, I felt as though I was there. I thought as I read it, that I really need to go and be in the woods soon. I have missed it. I live surrounded by woods, but there is nothing like being in the thick of it. I grew up in the country on a farm with many acres of woods and now feel very homesick for that kind of feeling again. I am going to make a point of going for a walk with my hubby, sitting and enjoying nature as HP intended for us to do and thank you for leading me there. I just took a deep breath and thought.........that's exactly what I need! Thank you, dear friend.
I am so happy for your hubby's recovery and yours. Bless you!
SO HAPPY FOR YOU HON. You deserve all the riches that this life has to offer you. Thank Goodness you were able to recognize this and enjoy your hubby. Those damn bills can't wait!!! (he he) but people, human beings, are more important.
YOU GO GIRL!
love Maria
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
That sounds like a luscious day. I know that feeling and you just wish you could hang on to it. I felt the same in Alaska. Talk about nature!! Mountains, bears, whales, sea lions, and beautiful water falls tumbling down the mountain. I can't tell you how many times I was literally speechless and too choked up to talk. I could only think to myself "HP's hands have surely touched this place." Couple that with someone that you dearly love and it just doesn't get any better.
I'm so glad you went and enjoyed all that HP is. Now, THESE are the things that I'd like to keep as memories :)
Love you and yer hubby too..(lol) Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Thank you so much for the reminder that life can be so beautiful. It's been a while since I've had one of those special days but now I sit here smiling, remembering, and I feel good. Your post has put me in a totally different place and I'm so grateful.
I'm so glad you took the time to share your beautiful day.
(((Kari))) Talk about ME making YOU cry! That post was beautiful, the words you used to describe the scenery brought it all right before my eyes. I am so glad you and your hubby had such a great time together. My hubby and I also love the quiet and serenity of nature, and the woods, especially.
What is so sad about his situation, is that due to the dom. violence charges, he can no longer own guns or deer hunt, which he dearly loved to do. We have a buck mounted on our wall that he got in the fields behind our house a few years ago. I did not want him to lose his hunting privilages, but in Ohio, at least, anyone convicted of domestic violence, automatically loses any gun rights. I dread the coming of fall, because I know it bothers him so much that he can't do something he loved to do. One more point for alcohol. It just takes, and takes, and takes. Very frustrating and sad. I would love for him to be able to hunt, and I enjoyed the couple of weekends of peace and quiet I got while he spent time at his buddy's hunting cabin.
Myself, I could never hunt. But he was an honorable hunter, did not take cheap shots, made sure when he did shoot, the deer wouldn't suffer. He did not waste the meat, either. He did not hunt just for the sake of killing something. I hate more than anything to see a beautiful deer struck down by a car. They are being crowded out of their woodlands, and cause so much danger to themselves and humans. A friend at work has a brother, in his 40's who is brain damaged, in a nursing home, after hitting a deer while on a Harley several years back. Tragic.
A little off track, sorry. Boy, for someone shy, I sure have been yakking a lot lately. LOL
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Kari, Pipers Kitty, and Hubby. Blessings to you all.
You're right, life is a cool journey. As I read your post I was sitting on MY deck (small apt), watching the sunset, with the lite rail in the fore ground, kids in the swimming pool yelling, dogs barking, kids on skate boards etc. But you know what it's serenity to me considering my life trapped in a 22 year marriage with an A who gave me nothing towards any kind of serenity!
My return to nature trips take me to the Oregon coast with it's rugged beauty and a strong connection to my HP. Of course the ride there is through the beautiful forests of Oregon and I can let my hair down all the way to the coast. Rain or shine it's a time to reflect this journey of life. So I can relate to your day and wish us both more of the same.
Thank you HP for another beautiful day full of serenity.
aaahhhhhhhh......the peace and serenity of nature.Funny how when your hubby said 'settle' you calmed right down.All we need is to be reminded that we don't have to have our minds racing all the time.
You were so in the moment,in the present. Sounds wonderful.
I am so happy that things are going well for you and hub. ( oh and kitty too,better not leave HER out! I just love cats!)
Once again we were in the woods and the sound of the river and the simple joys of mother nature and HP were present. I said a prayer thanking God for this moment. I prayed for his continued recovery and mine, and for others. 
We did come home and do our errands. Pipers Kitty was waiting for us. How dare we leave her all morning, even though she was outside and having a ball? Hubby is now asleep curled up with Pipers. I'm about to join them. 
LOL