It was November...
the month of crimson sunsets,
parting birds,
deep, sad hymns of the sea,
passionate wind songs in the pines.
~L. M. Montgomery
I reluctantly turned the page on the calendar over and said goodbye to October. Where did the month go? Time seems to pass ever more swiftly these days.
November 1 was my older brother's birthday. He would have been 75 today. It's hard to wrap my mind around that and I find myself wondering what he would have been doing and what he would look like at that age had he lived. He passed away at age 49 while he was still relatively young...at least it seems to me now...and so strong and handsome. Well, until the ravages of ALS took over his body. He was a good brother and I still miss him so much. As I also miss my younger brother and parents.
November seems to be a month when I miss my birth family most. Maybe it's because one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, is coming soon and, for many years, it was a time when all the family would gather around my grandmother's table for a delicious turkey dinner and lively conversation.
I think about the loved ones who attended those holiday celebrations and most of them are gone now. And I often think now of things that I wish I could ask them. Things I've forgotten or didn't think to ask when I had the chance.
During the past week when I was feeling bad with a bout of vertigo, I thought of many things while I was sitting still in my recliner. And before I go any further, I will say that I am almost back to normal. I still have to be careful and not turn my head too fast. Thank you for the good thoughts and advice in my last post.
One of the things that I thought of was how much I have to be thankful for as we head toward Thanksgiving. Truly. In spite of feeling lonely at times for my loved ones who are no longer here, I know that I am blessed for having had them in my life. I am blessed for having a loving husband and children to share holidays with now. And I'm blessed to live in this beautiful country that I love.
I will close by saying that I hope your November is filled with happy and healthy days. It's the time for snuggling under a warm throw and reading a good book while sipping on a cup of hot coffee or tea, if you prefer. Which do you like best...tea or coffee?
Happy Wednesday to you!
xo Cheryl
Yes Cheryl. It is very good to be thankful for all the good times now
ReplyDeleteCheryl, Sending hugs to you. I too will have days of missing my parents and loved ones passed on. The years gone seem to not make the us miss them less. Glad you are feeling better. I hope and pray we all have a good November. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that your vertigo has lessened, Cheryl. My husband had that once and it was really debilitating. I think November is a good time of reflection, for me anyway, on those who have gone before us, and probably because the weather is not the cheeriest. Cold, dark, windy, gray. But we have HOPE, which is certain, and that brings us to Thanksgiving. I hope you have a good November and that your vertigo disappears completely. - Judy
ReplyDeleteI am a coffee person, but on cold days or if I feel a little under the weather, I drink tea. not often, but I do keep black tea, raspberry zinger and chocolate chai for once in a while tea. the bags I mean is what I keep. glad your vertigo is giving you a break. it is so awful to feel like that. all of bobs family and all of mine are gone, only our kids and their kids.
ReplyDeleteI drink hot coffee and iced tea. I've never liked hot tea. Yes, we miss those we loved and have lost so much.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
For me, this is one of the worst things about getting old...friends and family dying. I have lost three best friends so far. I am so sorry about your brothers, that must be so hard! I always wanted a sibling; what a blessing that must have been. I LOVE your poem, and beautiful sunset (or sunrise). SO glad you are better! Yes, I have to be so careful about looking backwards and bending over. I never know when a change in head position will bring.
ReplyDeleteGood Afternoon, As much as I love the season of Autumn,like you, it does bring sadness about family members who are no longer here. My parents passed away in Autumn and also their birthdays were in Autumn and of course, like you, I remember fondly Thanksgivings of long ago.
ReplyDeleteThankful that you are feeling a little better. I need to make a trip to the library for new reading material and I love coffee this time of the year.
I understand your longing for family that have left us this time of the year. I lost both my parents in the Fall, though in different years. My brother died many years ago as well and each year I think of them the most as we head into the holiday season. I am fortunate to have my sons and grandchildren but still miss my birth family. I hope you continue to feel better Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteOh, I like coffee in the mornings and hot tea in the afternoons!
The days don't seem to go so fast but my do the months roll by in a blink. November is a thoughtful month for me also for while they passed years apart, both my parents died right before Thanksgiving. Still it is good to remember those good times we had and love we shared.
ReplyDeleteUse to love coffee but a caffeine restriction has me on herbal teas now. Not bad but kind of miss the boost.
Our October was so warm it didn't even seem like October. I love November, a time of in between fall and winter. I'm glad your vertigo is better...I can only image how that must make you feel. I know what you mean about feeling nostalgic about Thanksgiving, especially when family members are no longer with us. It was very special time in my family as well and even though all but one of my siblings are still living, I am so far away from them all at the holidays and I greatly miss all of us gathering at Mom & Dad's. This will be a hard year for my oldest brother's family since he just passed in September. The photo at the beginning as just breathtaking. I hope you enjoy a wonderful November, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteDecember is my month of missing family. I do think the dates of death trigger us.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy coffee and tea, I like both. :-)
We are to get 6 inches of snow tonight!
hard to believe it's november for sure. it brings back memories for me too. your brother sounds like a great guy.
ReplyDeleteHi There, I'm a COFFEE gal myself. Hubby loves hot tea --and I tolerate it...
ReplyDeleteWelcome to November. I love Thanksgiving also and wish the Christmas ads and hoopla wouldn't cover up such a beautiful holiday.
I lost one of my big brothers at age 55 in 1985... He was the life of the party in our home... I still miss him even though he was 12 years older than me... He died of cancer...
I miss my family this time of year also.... I miss the big family gatherings around a big meal... Just doesn't happen much anymore.
Glad you are feeling better.
Hugs,
Betsy
November has sad memories for me, but I try not to spend too much time there. My Sweetheart went to his Heavenly home on November 10,2017,so this month can have days of sadness.I do love the cooler weather and today the soft snow which is falling.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl~
ReplyDeleteI'm not a coffee drinker, but I do love my, Bengal Spice tea, I have it every morning with Hazelnut coffee creamer...pumpkin spice is also delish!
November is a sad month for me as well, but like, Ruth, I try not to spend time thinking about it. I like to move on to Thanksgiving and getting together with family, cherishing and enjoying my time with the ones I have here and now. I do think about my father, and wonder how life would have been different if he had not passed away so early. He's still with me, I feel him near me often.
Your photos were lovely, as usual, especially the sunset, so pretty!! The sunsets have been so gorgeous here as well. The wind blew so hard here today, 50 mph gusts, I hope it was blowing some good things our way!!
Hugs and Love,
Barb
That is a beautiful sky shot...the time is flying for me, too. It is wonderful that you have such good memories...at least you are not thinking about 'what could have been' when you think of your family...
ReplyDeleteNo coffee for me. Love the smell, but just can't handle that bitter taste. I do love a cup of tea, or even better hot chocolate. Memories are just wonderful, aren't they?? So thankful that our hope is in Jesus. Blessings from Missouri dear lady!
ReplyDeleteI often think of my parents this time of the year. It was my Moms favorite time and it is mine too. We are finally having a fall now with the temps getting to normal. For me I love coffee and tea. In the morning I will have my coffee, usually sitting on my front porch and around 10 am I will have a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteNow thinking about holiday changes is a discussion I had with my father last Christmas. We had a good chat over all the changes he had seen through the years. Our family had a good long run and now it is different, yet The One we honor changes not.
ReplyDeleteNovember does seem to bring out memories of family and even extended family because so many travel to be together at this special time of year. We have our treasured memories and, hopefully, we go right on making more.
You are not going to believe this but I have been battling vertigo since Tuesday. Man! The whole world was spinning that night. It was brought on by having to bend to paint the stairs. Now I’m getting a grip, but the minute I do something the least bit off...look down a certain way or bend over to put on my shoes...oh boy howdy! So I have thought of you in my affliction. 🙂
Oh my sweet friend, I am happy you are feeling a bit better. I too find November a little nostalgic. We are so much a like. I too lost both my brothers and my parents. My brothers passed away 4 years apart at the age of 74. I think I want to skip that age.
ReplyDeleteI think Holidays and especially Thanksgiving brings back sweet memories of those that we have lost. So graterful to believe we will see them again.
Your photo was so lovely. Thanks for your awesome blog and I wish for you a wonderful November month Lots of good moments with family and friends.
Blessings and hugs!
I hope it was blowing some good things our way!!
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I can understand your feelings about missing family members, Cheryl, as I am feeling the same especially as the holidays approach. My mother died a few days before Christmas a few years ago and the holiday is always a bit sad for me now. Glad to read that you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your professional approach.These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.
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