Home Alone

I ‘ve been home alone this week if you don’t count the fish and dog. But I can’t discount them, for I need to feed the fish, Fire, and the dog, Jules, who also keeps me busy letting her out and back in. She’s definitely not an outside dog. Okay, I just took a quick break and fed them both.

      Fire and Jules                                              

 Becky, my daughter, and her husband, Paul, were away for a week working at the church’s youth camp. Becky is head chef and Paul had responsibilities with teaching and supervising. They were only gone for seven days, but it afforded me time to think about being a widow. Since my husband died in March of 2024, I’ve not really been alone. I live with Becky and Paul, and while I may not see them all day every day, we connect in the evenings.

Becky cooks our supper meals, and Paul is the resident handyman. Now it’s a change of routine for me. For this week, I shopped for easy-prep meals, including seafood. I have eaten well, and not gone out for meals. As far as anything needing“ fixing,” nothing has broken. But I put a new battery in the dining room clock and will take the trash bin to the curb tonight.

What this time alone has taught me is empathy for widows––my sisters and friends. Most of them live alone. Some have family nearby; a few are in assisted living facilities; while others are active in their churches. For example, my sister in Alabama is in an assisted living facility due to her needs; and my sister in New Mexico keeps busy by contacting members of her church who have special prayer concerns. Both have family nearby. We all know that God is with us. His provision, protection, and presence are real on a daily basis.

Living in the same home with family, I have not experienced being alone. This week I have had to keep focused on what’s important. I’ve succumbed to distractions such as watching a stand-up comedian on my phone. He’s clean and I appreciate his humor, but watching endlessly can be a waste of time, a big obstacle, along with the energy it takes to get back on track.

This week has not been a waste of time, for I’ve learned about myself and others. I’m blessed, for God is with me. I’m thankful, for He’s my constant companion in rough and good times.