Busy Weekend, Not Over Planning

My family is trying to normalize after the loss of DH's dad.  As it is the weekend of Palm Sunday, we already have many commitments for church as I am in charge of the youth Sunday fundraiser breakfast. We also have a confimation event later Sunday afternoon.  In spite of these very busy things, I am intentionally not scheduling anything else and will just go with how the wind blows the three of us.  Of course there is laundry, and dishes, and meals out of necessity, but outside of that, I am not putting an agenda on myself, DH, or DD#2. 

I've been able to reflect on how good I have things, even on my most stressful and vulnerable days. My family has had an outpouring of love and support from extended family and friends.  Current coworkers supported my needed time off with my family, and I had many cards and messages from former colleagues at my previous job. Even though I made the big decision to leave a job for my personal well being, four weeks out, I look back with good memories, and experience that has positioned me well for my current job.

I want to be there for others in more thoughtful and intentional ways.  I realized this week how much a nice e-mail, a card in the mail, or a call extending an offer of help can mean. I went through this same epiphany after losing my own parents and sibling, but hope this time I do not get complacent again.  I think sometimes I have felt inadequate in what I can offer for help, that sometimes I did nothing.  Anything would have been something.  Big or small gestures are needed and are never inadequate if given from a place of genuine care.