Tag Archives: death

Facebook can be a drain on your time…if you let it. Sometimes Facebook seems more like Drama Book and that can drive me crazy…if I let it. Like so many other things in life, Facebook will be what you let it be. I’ve been offline since Friday afternoon around two o’clock when my laptop decided to eat my files and drift into a coma with neither a burp or thank you. I’ve been using my limited tech skills on it without success until I can get to the computer store Monday. It remains to be seen whether anything in it will be salvageable or not. Sigh. Thankfully, the last manuscript had been backed up AND sent to my editor. Can you say HALLELUJAH?! Sadly, however, included in the missing files would be what I had written this past week, the content that I need to tape Monday morning and send to my affiliates for another week’s worth of radio segments. Sigh. With time a-wasting, I’ve just finished reaching into the All Things Southern archives (via my desktop) to snare some words for that taping. Among other things, I found a great old story I told once about a belle named Mama Ruth and her friend, John Henry. That led me to Facebook to look up my friend who originally told me the story, so we could laugh about it…again. That’s the best thing about a good story, you know? It just gets better in the retelling. What I found on John’s Facebook wall was a post about his latest health struggle. I didn’t realize things were so difficult for him right now, but I was encouraged to see that John was responding to it with his customary good humor. I’m glad I found that status update so I can pray for him. Thank you, Facebook. While there, I also discovered that another good friend lost her sister to cancer yesterday afternoon. Charlotte knew the day was coming, we all did, but I didn’t know her baby sis had slipped into Father’s arms yesterday afternoon. No doubt, our mutual friends thought I already knew. I didn’t, but I needed to. Thank you, Facebook. And yet, Facebook had more than bad news waiting for me. Along with some sweet messages from friends and readers, I also found some laughs and inspiration, and in today’s broken world, don’t we all need more of those? Go ahead on, Facebook. I got your back. Hugs, Shellie  What do you think about Facebook?

2 Comments | Read more

Dear friend, My heart broke this afternoon as I listened to your story and tried to understand even a fraction of the horror you’ve lived through. I knew bits and pieces from the brief notes you’ve sent me before, but those messages came across many miles and through a computer screen. I couldn’t see your eyes or hear your voice like I did today across the small round table that separated us. I wonder if my face said what I couldn’t find my voice to express. I’m pretty sure it didn’t so, as chicken as it seems, can I please finish here what I wanted to say there? I’m sorry, sorry to be such a weenie that all I could say today was “I’m sorry.” I’m sorry for your loss that is as real now as it was the day your world crumbled. I’m sorry for the tears you cried with those who loved you and the ones you’ve shed when you were all alone. I’m sorry that there is such evil in the world and I’m sorry for all it stole from you. But I am also proud. I am proud that you have not given up on life. I’m proud that you have not given up on the rest of humanity. But most of all, I’m proud of you for putting one foot in front of the other. And I’m grateful. Grateful that you haven’t given up on God who allowed His creation the choice between good and evil and then paid for the damages that freedom would incur with the life of His own son, Jesus Christ, the darling of heaven. You’ll go home and I’ll stay here, but a part of my heart will never be the same and I will always pray for yours. Much love in Him, Shellie

5 Comments | Read more