Exhale

Do you ever find yourself holding your breath due to anxiety, fear, worry, or whatever? Tension builds, muscles tighten, thoughts lock up. Learning to recognize when it's happening and consciously making the effort to slowly breathe in and out allows us to loosen up and relax. I am so thankful to the Lord for the past couple of weeks to be able to breathe, loosen up, and relax.

The sign in my room on vacation.
I was right where I was meant to be.

My weekend at home over the July 4th weekend was very restful. A time of letting go, surrender, inactivity, quiet, peace, and no "I gottas". The next weekend with family was a continuation of relaxation plus wonderful times of conversation, laughter, games, food, walks, no-agenda, just being together and enjoying the opportunity to escape to a quiet place with a slow pace. This photo of a t-shirt in a shop window sums it up nicely.  In case you cannot read it's message,  it says "Slow Down, this ain't the mainland." Cape Charles was a perfect antidote to busyness. A quaint small town across the Chesapeake-Bay Bridge Tunnel from Virginia Beach. Quite a contrast and I hope it stays that way.


We were about 6 blocks from the beach and since we were on the bay side, there were only ocean swells which was an unexpected plus in my opinion (no waves knocking me around and taking me under - restful, peaceful water). Aria could safely play on the water's edge too and she loved it! There were beautiful homes and yards to admire as we walked to the beach and friendly folks along the way also. Absolutely no crowds. Wonderful & priceless!

Ladder ball. Such fun on nice sand!

Enjoying delicious home-made ice cream from
the brown dog ice cream shop.

Cape Charles
favorite hang-out.

Game Time! This is a fun group game. Everyone writes a random statement, then passes their paper to the next person who has to 

1. draw the statement 

2. fold over the paper so that the original statement cannot be seen 3. pass it on to the next person who now has to interpret the drawing by writing a statement. This continues around the table until your paper returns to you at which time everyone takes turns reading the various statements and showing the drawings. The results can be hilarious! Add a time limit and things really get crazy.

Stormy Saturday. Great
for just chillin then an
afternoon walk on the beach.

Relaxing in the gazebo
at The Harbor. Mike has gained
weight and looks so much better.

Mid-morning Monday, Mike's brother's family, Mom Rice, and I headed to Stanardsville to spend time with Mike. Mark & family arrived about an hour before us and they were all out in the courtyard playing Sequence. Later we took Mike out for a burger and milkshake at Tastee Freez. Then he said it was too early to go back so Mark took us on a driving tour of Stanardsville which took about 10-15 minutes. :-) Once back, it was time for Mike's supper, so we left. Mom R. and I stayed in Orange at a very nice hotel with a gorgeous view of farmland and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the 

Gorgeous view from hotel.

distance. So peaceful and calm.

That evening, I received a call from The Harbor saying Mike had 2 incidents that evening involving other residents. Everyone was fine, but they always call when he has been disruptive, hard to redirect, or has fallen. Due to an increase in his disruptive behavior, an increase in medication was being requested from Dr. B. On Wednesday, Mom R. & I were able to meet Dr. B. who is the general practitioner. He explained his plan of action and I was able to express my concerns and ask about possibly reducing medication. He is willing to consider that in the future, but right now they just have to try to get Mike to a more even keel. Wednesday Mike was the best I've seen him since he's been at The Harbor. He was able to communicate more effectively and was calm. 

Nobody likes the thought of having Mike more sedated, but after 3 years, I understand now that in order for anyone to be able to care for him, plus keep him and others safe, it may be the only way. I am at peace that Dr. B, Dr. L. (psychiatrist) and The Harbor staff are monitoring Mike closely and doing the best they know how, as am I. I realize there are alternative treatments and therapies and that not everything has been tried, but due to expense and/or the difficulties of trying to wean Mike off of meds, I am at peace that what I could do has been done and I have to let go of what others may think I should have done or tried. I like the way one of Mom Rice's friends addressed this issue in an email to me, "If God wants me to do something to help or fix a situation, He knows where I live and He knows how to communicate His wishes to me." He sure does! 

Back home, I have worked in the garden, Mom and I have two batches of pickles in brine, Dad and I froze 4 quarts of corn, and I've done other odd jobs around the house. The beautiful thing is that my mind and spirit are at peace. I am well rested, calm, and refreshed. I even noticed that I was calmer when spending time with Mike. 

This past weekend I came across a song by Plumb that is very fitting for this new stage of my life. I have breathed in God's grace and I want to exhale and share His grace and love with others. Here is a link to her YouTube video. 

Exhale by Plumb

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOgUjSW4agg

Just let go let His love wrap around you

And hold you close

Get lost in the surrender

Breathe it in until your heart breaks

Then exhale

Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/exhale-lyrics-plumb.html#OORCzuwLiFrcJDas.99

I don't know exactly what my exhale is supposed to look like yet, but I am praying and asking God to show me and use me. 

I Samuel 12:24

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; 

consider what great things He has done for you.

I Peter 4:10-11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Sunset at Cape Charles
Hope this photo helps you to breathe easier
and relax a bit wherever you are.