Sunday, August 29, 2010

Thank You


They say that when one door closes, another door opens.



And that with age comes wisdom.



That even under the harshest of conditions, life will flourish.



That although our world can sometimes seem challenging, there is always something new waiting on the horizon.



That how we chose to deal with life's adversities, overcome them, and move forward is what makes us who we are.



That even amidst the chaos, there is beauty...



Calm...



Incredible strength!



And most of all, compassion!

I can't begin to thank you all enough for your wonderful emails and comments filled with the love, kindness, support and compassion that have carried me through the months, and most especially the last few weeks!  It means more than any of you will ever know, and for that I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

I've been without a computer for over a week now since the laptop we bought didn't work and had to be returned.  Our desktops are still out of commission and I'm not sure when I'll have a "real" keyboard and a mouse again...which I sorely miss!

Ms. M is not progressing as well as we had all hoped and so we have some tough decisions ahead of us, but we'll make it through.  My dear friend Dan continues to deteriorate from his brain tumor, but he is not in pain and is surrounded by his family over in the UK so I know he is comforted even if it can't be by me.

And Mr. Tide and I took some much needed time and went to the beach for a few days to renew our souls and to unwind.  There really is no better medicine than salt water!!

Our son had an easy move in to his college, only to move out a few days later.  When faced with people making bad choices that impacted him, and with a university that couldn't guarantee it would be any different if he changed rooms, he made a very tough decision and one we are SO proud of him for making!  He stood strong and even the Dean couldn't disagree with his choice.

He is sad to have to go elsewhere, but he knows that by keeping his eye on the big prize and what he wants for his future that sometimes doing the right thing isn't always an easy path to follow.  It's a lesson that we can all learn from, that even when one door closes, another one opens.  And even though we might not always realize it at the time, it will be the door we were meant to step through!



Without a computer for over a week I was able to slow down a little and focus on what was really important to me. I spent lots of time with my family and took my camera everywhere to capture the beauty around me, like this sweet Akita named Moto that we met on the beach at St. Mary's City last week.  

I feel so much better than I did when I wrote my last post, thanks to all of you and after taking some time away.  We all need that for ourselves, time to reflect and to move onward and upward.  Thank you again for everything and I hope each of you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Kat :)

37 comments:

  1. Kat, I am so glad you are refreshed and rested. The tech probems will sort themselves out soon enough. Will pray for your dear friends now and for you. hugs♥olive

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  2. I am so glad things are looking up for you...

    xo,

    annie

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  3. It sounds like you have been sorting through things and have a better mindset now. I'm happy for that.

    I'm proud that your son did what he had to do...sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest...

    Still sending prayers your way.

    xoxo
    Jane

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  4. My heart goes out to you Kat...and to your son as well. It sounds like you have raised a fine young man and I admire his ability to stand up for what he believes in. Best of luck to him in the next few days, weeks, and months.

    -Rene

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  5. Kat, I am happy you have been able to take some time for yourself and the refresh your mind. Your son made a very hard decision~ I'm sure it will be the right one for him~ you must be so proud~ he sounds very mature for his age! I am sure a new direction~ the right one~ will open to him soon, in a way he hadn't thought of before...XO

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  6. Kat, I am so glad to here from you. I have thought about you often the past several days and knew you were dealing with a lot. Just to let you know I love my new Sony Vaio from Costco. No problems with it at all. I hardly use the desk top anymore. This is faster and easier. Hope things get better soon for you. Have a good week.

    Your friend,

    Kim

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  7. Kat-life can be so overwhelming sometimes, I know. I'm glad you had some time away to regroup. I think your son is very wise (my daughter also made choices that didn't quite fit with what sadly has become the norm-it paid off). He has to do what is best for his future.

    I'm sorry about Ms. M.

    Take care,

    Sue

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  8. Kat,
    I'm so happy to hear that you and Mr.Tide got away for a few days at the beach and that things are getting better. I can't began to tell you how proud I am of your son for being so strong and making this hard choice...you can tell that he was raised by two wonderful and caring parents.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  9. This is the most wonderful post I've read in a long time. Beautiful and heartfelt, and I am so glad you went away to recharge. Welcome home, my friend.

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  10. I'm so glad you managed to get away for a while - and you can be so proud of your son - he will be fine in his new place, and all the stronger for realising the situation wasn't going to suit him. My elder son had a similar situation, and left it, and it was so much the right choice - college can be quite a culture shock (if culture is the right word!). I hope the Dean has been helping...

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  11. Hi Kat,
    A good break is always good for the soul.
    Even though we had some tough times in life, things that we cannot change, somehow it all seems to work out. I'm sorry about your dear friend and Ms. M. I'm happy for your son's decision to do what's best for him.

    Blessings dear friend.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  12. Kat the ocean is the place the renews my soul also. I am so glad you took time to re-group. It sounds as if it was needed and that you did just what you needed to do . Hang in there and you are so right another door will open. It always does. I find when I keep my focus on God and not the problem passing through a new door is much easier. Kathysue

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  13. Sounds like you found much needed solace! Good for you!

    Suzanne

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  14. Kat,
    Glad you were able to get a respite.
    Your son shows great character, wisdom and integrity. I'd be so proud of him, too!

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  15. I'm so glad that you and Mr. Tide were able to get away for a few days. The ocean is the perfect spot for healing. Everything will work out...including your computer. As you said, a door closes and another one opens. I think your son is a brave and wise young man and I know you are very proud of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and dear friends.

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  16. Wonderful to hear all is ok, that you have had time to exhale and relax.. and hoping for better days ahead. Kudos to your son!

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  17. Kat, I'm glad everything is ok, that you have time to relax and go to the Beach! I hope that things start looking up for you soon. Good for your son-it was a very hard decision for him I'm sure but good for him! Hang in there and hugs to you!

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  18. I am so glad that you are feeling better Kat! Sometimes we do need to slow down, focus on what is important to us and just breath in the fresh air. Your pictures are beautiful!
    You should be proud of your son, his decisions also reflect you and your husband. You are a wonderful person and full of love and guidance for your friends and family.
    I hope that your future decisions are light and that doors continue to open for you and your family.
    Hugs to you!

    Michelle

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  19. Kat, You've been in my thoughts and so glad to see this post finds you a bit refreshed and recharged and enjoying some quiet time (even if it was without the computer). You have so much to be proud of about your son knowing he made the right, yet hard decision. Sending lots of positive and comforting thoughts your way. This was a most beautiful and heartfelt post today. xoxo ~Lili

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  20. Kat, thank you for your email. Glad you and your husband had time to go to the beach. I think that enviornment is the best when the world around you seems crazy. Your son sounds wonderful and so intutive for his age. I have twins that I just moved into college and I miss them so very much. My house is so very quiet and things as you know will never be the same. One wanted to go to college park in the worst way or so she thought. Her grades and scores were great,, honor roll every semester in HS, captain of the tennis team etc. and she did not get in to CP. She cried for days over it but I felt like it was a blessing in disguise. She is now back in NC where she was born and raised and feels like she is back home and her twin is with her. So I do believe in my heart that things do happen for a reason and usually for the better. Take care and keep blogging I love reading yours. You are an inspirition you truly are.

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  21. Kat, This is a beautiful post today. You have to be so proud of your son for making this difficult decision. I'm glad you had some R&R time with Mr Tide and a chance to enjoy the beach. Hugs, Sherry

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  22. Life can be so overwhelming at times - so many people around us who need a part of us - and we so want to be there for them. You are a wonderful friend to those you love. I hope you can be refreshed after a little break - you certainly deserve it! Prayers all around dear friend~~

    vicki

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  23. DEAR Kat!
    Sooo happy that
    you are feeling
    somewhat renewed
    and refreshed. I
    have always subscribed
    to your "doors"
    philosophy and it
    has never failed to
    amaze me. I'm sorry
    about Mrs. M. and
    Dan. This is LIFE
    and it can be very
    daunting. Your pics
    are gorgeous. My new
    DSLR was stolen after
    I left it on the plane
    and I've been bereft
    this last week! IF
    you get a moment, can
    you drop me a line and
    let me know what kind
    you have? I'm starting
    from square one, here....
    SO nice to have you back!
    xx Suzanne
    PS BRAVO to your son.

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  24. Just getting caught up and am sorry to hear you have recently been through so much. Adversity makes us stronger and when it is all said and done and we look back there is usually a valuable lesson in it. Seeing how you are handling difficult times has most likely given your son the courage to also make a difficult choice. Glad to hear you have turned the corner...keep reaching for the light.

    ~jermaine

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  25. The beach is the place - I'm glad it worked for you too!
    Congrats to your son for sticking to what he knows is right. He's set himself a good standard and I'll bet you're proud of him.

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  26. Beautiful post.I am glad that everything is ok now..

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  27. I know you've been through such a lot lately but you seem to be coping with it well. Maybe the computer fiasco was a good thing as it's forced you to take time for yourself and your family and to get some much needed rest (mentally and physically).
    Sorry to hear Ms M's recovery is slow - my Mum had a nursing home for years and so many of her patients had massive strokes and did recover but it was slow and hard. There is always hope.
    Sorry to hear about your friend over here - if you do decide to visit remember that you have a place to stay.
    You must be very proud of your son for making such an important choice at his young age - hope it all works out for him.
    Hugs
    ~Sam

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  28. Dear Kat, I'm sorry for your troubles, and I'm happy that going back to the sea helped you restore your sense of self. President Kennedy said "We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." I truly believe that. My mom is in end stage renal failure and we didn't think she'd survive the weekend because of a bad reaction to a drug. Thankfully she rallied! Before we left to see her, my husband and I went to the sea shore before our 2 hr. drive - it's like having a glass of wine! Take care.

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  29. Hi Kat,
    Sending good thoughts your way. Glad you got away for some R & R at the beach. Hang in there my friend.

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  30. Hi Kat ~ You are so right about the ocean's healing nature. There's nothing better in this busy, maddening, frustrating, crazy world than time spent with your butt planted in the sand at the ocean's edge listening to the waves and feeling the salty air on your face. It's God's way of comforting us. I will keep you, Dan, Ms. M, and you in my prayers, friend!

    xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

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  31. Jo in New Prague, MNAugust 30, 2010 at 6:15 PM

    Kat - I know sometimes it can feel like you are sort of alone. Please know that those of us who read your blog really do feel like you are our friend. We are all out here, cheering you on, praying for you and your friends who are so in need right now. We care about you. This whole blog-world is an odd thing. Everytime I find a new blog, I start at the very beginning so that by the time I get to today, I really feel that I know the person. We care, we will continue to care. So if it's any sort of comfort for you, know that we all are here for you.

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  32. I'm so glad to hear you got some time away - you really needed it with all you have been going through. Not to mention that you were not blogging in the same week I had to be away from the computer so I didn't miss anything (just kidding). I hope life settles down for you in September.

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  33. Just read your post and had to share that the same exact thing happened to my daughter when she went to collage in 2004. By the end of the first week there, she called and said, "Mom, I don't live like this" and had the courage to leave. Like your son, she was surrounded by people making very bad decisions, which affected her directly and would not have changed, even with changing dorms as suggested by her advisor. She transferred to a community college, got her associates, then finished in just 3 semesters at another local college. BEST decision she ever made - she is happy and thriving! How smart and brave of your son to leave a situation in which he would not be happy. Good luck to him and all your family.

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  34. Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments! And Miss Teacher Lady, thank you for telling me your daughter's story, I know you must be so proud of her!

    That is exactly what happened with our son. He wants to pursue a career in law enforcement, maybe as a federal agent, so he will not tolerate substances being used around him that could cause him to be arrested because they just happen to be in his room, it could ultimately ruin his chances of following his lifelong dream! And like your daughter, the school couldn't guarantee him that moving in with other roommates would solve the problem...it's really a shame he was there on scholarship and looking forward to the next 4 years, but everything happens for a reason!

    Kat :)

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  35. Welcome back dear friend. Your heartfelt post was just what I needed today, so I want to thank you for that. We all face life's challenges and stepping back and taking a closer look is what we all need to do sometimes. We get so busy and forget to smell those roses or walk that beach. Sounds like you did just that and you're the better for it.

    I want to share a quote with you that I read this week, "Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side that you are used to is better than the one to come?"

    Hugs

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  36. Geez Kat,
    I can not believe what has happened in such a short period of time. But, obviously the college thing struck a cord with me. My son has already told us of 2 frat parties where the cops showed up (fortunately he had the good sense to leave pior) and he has only been away for 2 weeks! It's so stressful. What a monumental and mature decision your son has made!

    I must tell you my husband and I, both having grow up around beaches,say the same thing about saltwater....

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