It has been a long, lonely walk since my husband passed away on April 2, 2025. It feels as though I walked through valleys flowing with torrents of rain, waiting for a sign that would wash away sorrows. Upon waking, I realized that I dreamed of still waters that framed our summer days on Long Island.
I remembered those scenes were we talked, dreamed, and felt the freshness of life. Yet remembering is difficult when grief haunts life. In Long Island, I could find still water spots where peace existed each summer. We were able to drive twenty minutes to enjoy carefree days at the beach. We enjoyed both still waters and days of fast rushing waters. As I look back on photos of past summers, I realize that the times of still waters were also filled with spirituality. There was a spirit of peace at the shore as if God was giving us fuel to propel our journey. Even when we experienced challenging, roaring waters, we could move from these faith-shaking events to deal with the issues before us.
BUT during this year's late winter and early spring, we were tossed, shaken, and left befuddled by the reality of a rare disease that broke down our psychological well-being and dispositions. We needed still waters for spiritual rest. Unfortunately, that did not come readily. On the last day of my husband's life we found the peace he needed. Each member of the immediate family, felt the spirit of the Lord surrounding my husband as he moved from the transport van to the hospice room, a place of peace and spiritual rest. It was there that he laid in the still waters of faith and let his spirit be lifted from this world.
Since the last day, I have searched for ways to relieve anxiety. The well-know Psalm 23 offers a pause that slowly leads me to a new path on the spiritual journey. With that and Leanna Crawford's Still Waters music video, I feel the cool refreshment of spirituality. Listen to the beautiful song, Still Waters, based on Psalm 23.
Oh, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He leads me by still waters 'til my fears are gone.
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I wake to summer dreams that flow like still waters.
Even without you, I know you are with me.
The Lord's scripture remains on my heart
and goodness flows like the creek's water.
©CV, 2o25
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Today is bright with sunshine. The house is quiet.
I know that I shall find my way on the Spiritual Journey.
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I join my Spiritual Journey Thursday host, Karen Eastlund who leads us through the theme "still waters" today. Karen shares a remarkable series of adventures she and her husband enjoyed over the years. Her closing thought is "I can think of nothing more beautiful and life-giving than water". Her photo of the sun setting over the still waters of Minnesota is awesome and calming. Click here to read Karen's Blog and other Spiritual Journey writers' post.
