Staying Strong….
Happy Father's Day! My husband woke up and had wonderful big hugs and kisses from his children. He opened his gifts and later took the children to IHOP for breakfast. Meanwhile, Im spending my time at the hospital with my Step-Father wishing he was at home alert, healthy and able to smile and enjoy his special day. I've been in a very somber mood with everything going on this week, and on top of that I've been a bit sad because I lost my Father to cancer several years ago and I wish anything more he was here today so I could tell him I love him. It hurts….it's hard.
It's been a rather emotional and stressful week for my family and I. My step-father ended up having triple bypass surgery. It was successful, however he has had some set backs due to some other issues we are just now discovering. Kinda like Pandoras Box. As of today he is still in ICU and being monitored very close for some sad symptoms he is dealing with. We now have a neurologoist seeing him tomorrow and will hopefully be able to perform a CAT scan on him soon.
My family and very dear friends have come from all over to be by my step fathers side during surgery and recovery. We are all trying to stay strong because we are unsure of the further "unknowns" with his health. It's wonderful to have my family all together, however It's sadness me to know that it takes something like major surgery to bring family closer, but I'll take what I can get. I haven't seen some of these family members in years and it makes my heart super happy.
This afternoon I am spending my time working in my little studio creating fanciful things and listening to old Journey. The nostalgic songs take me back down memory lane and give me a bit of comfort today.
As of today I can honestly say ART SAVES!!! My children are with their Daddy having a great time shopping at Home Depot right now and I have the whole house today to myself and it give me the time to work quietly in my studio, listen to my music, reflect, and feel some calmness and peace. It's very therapeutic to me.
Thank you SO much for the outpour of support and well wishes! I know MANY of your reading this have been down the same road and have experienced all the same things I am dealing with today. I feel the love from you all, and Im very grateful!!!!
Please continue to keep my family in your prayers!!!!!
XOXO,
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@jenniferhayslip
Hello Jenn… you and your step~daddy have been in my prayers since you first posted about his health… and will continue to be in my prayers… I do understand what you are going through… I too lost my daddy several years ago as well, and I miss him and love him so much… today is a hard day for us, but I am sure our daddys are smiling down at us, and knowing how much we love them… I do wish you all well… xoxo Julie Marie
Jenn, I’ve very sad to hear about your step-father, honey. It’s sad that it happens this week. Hope he gets better soon, chickee.
xoxo,
Connie
I will be praying for your step dad for sure!! I hope he gets tons better very soon!! I hope you had a fabulous weekend!! Happy fathers day to your hubby! Huge hugs!! Britt ๐
Hey Sweet Jennifer~
I wish I could just give you a huge (((HUG))). Sending many, many prayers to you and your lovely family.
Blessings,
Carol
Sending love and prayers your way, Jenn!
Jane – Jacksonville
I’m so sorry about your step-dad. I will keep him and you in my prayers.
Will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care and try not to worry.
hey sweet sissy
im glad you are having a peaceful day.
Hospitals are no fun. im still keeping him and all of you in my prayers.
love ya dolly doll
see ya soon
oxoxox,
Jessi
Jenn
Thinking of you and praying for your family!!
Your pal in Michigan,
misschell
Jenn, I too understand the sad loss of a father. I miss my dad and Mom who would have had her birthday tomorrow, the first day of summer. Double whammie for me this week. Take care dear one, stay strong and I hope you all the best for your step Daddy too. Love,Lori
Jenn~I thought about you today when I posted this song on my FB wall.
I wanted to share it with you, I know how music can soothe the soul. I will continue to hold hope that your step father will regain his health and strength by the the love that surrounds him.
(((Hugs)))
Sara
Hope your step father gets well soon. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Sending you lots of hugs Jenn… hoping and praying for your sweet family. Will be thinking of you..
xoxo Heather
Family is a very dear thing we all seem to take for granite and in a second our lives can change. I remember when my daughter complained about swollen glands in her neck and we brushed it off that everyone has colds, she went to get an antibiotic and POW! Next thing we know she is scheduled for surgery and we find out she has cancer… we get home from the hospital and the fridge is leaking, now who gives a crap about a fridge… I didn’t care what kind of fridge we bought that day so to this day, in my stainless kitchen I have a white fridge.. funny how life puts things in your way to take your mind to a different place. Thats Breezy I’m talking about and now shes married and 2nd Baby on it’s way. Know we are all thinking only the best thoughts for you and your family, stay strong sweet Jenn. oxox, Diane
I hope all goes well at the hospital and the fact that so many family are there to lend their support is heart warming for your mother, you and your family.
So as we say here “Keep your chin up” and keep up crafting … i walked away from it and now it has been a long time and takes an age to get back into again too and like you say it is most therputic.
All my best wishes to you and the family always
Ginny xx
Oh dear jenn. Fingers crossed that all goes well with your Step dad. Such difficult times.
You are right – Art Saves – in so many ways
Alison
So sorry your step dad and you and your family are all going through this, sending lots of hugs and prayers your way.
Keeping your family in my prayers sweet Jenn. Sending lots of positive energy your way. Happy you have gotten some time to destress and renew yourself.
Karla
Thank you Julie. Your sweetness and kind words mean the world! XO,Jenn
Thank you Miss Connie. ๐ XO,Jenn
Thank you my friend. I feel the hugs and love from miles away. ๐ XO,Jenn
Thank you Suz. Hugs! XO,Jenn
Thank you sweetie! Love ya too! XO,Jenn
Thank you sweet friend…hugs! Xo,Jenn
Lori, thank you for you support. Love and prayers to you too sweetie. XOXO,Jenn
Thank you sweet friend…I appreciate the love and support! I feel confident all will be ok. ๐ XO,Jenn
Diane, WOW…you nailed it. Your family and health is the most important. We do take alot of things for granted. So glad your beautiful daughter is healthy and about to have her 2nd child. So many things to be happy and blessed with right now. ๐ Thanks for your love and support! XO,Jenn
Thank you sweet Ginny!!! XOXO,Jenn
I am so sorry to come catch up and hear all this stressful news sweetie. All my thoughts are with you and your family right now.
Huge Hugs, K
Jennifer….thank you for sharing what has been going on. Father’s Day is hard around here…my 13 year old lost his dad to cancer four years ago. My dad is still alive but I am saddened that we are not closer in our relationship….praying for you and what is going on….debbie
I love you Miss Jenn. I’m comforted knowing that you’re finding time to relax and enjoy peace. I think your friends would be worried if we could see that you were freaking out but it looks like you are handling things with grace and in a healthy manner. Love ya!
~Sadie
oh my goodness jenn, I am sending love and prayers you way in these hard times…. I hope things get better soon…
xoxoxo, Tiffany
Love you sweet jenn! Hugs and blessings for you and your who family from me! Life is ups and downs and you handle the highs and lows with more grace and beauty than anyone I know!
xoxo
Thinking about you. ๐
Praying for your step fathers quick recovery and that peace envelopes you. Art does that for me too. It is my therapy when things start piling up. It is in His hands.
Hugs
Ginger
I love your blog. You bring much joy and peace to me and others.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you and your family have peace
Thank you sweetie! I really appreciate!!! :))) XO
Awe Jenn…sorry to hear the news but know that everyone out here in blogland is praying for our favorite little Southern Belle and her family. Hugs to you! Try and keep that pretty chin up and think of only good thoughts. I know it’s hard but I know you are strong…you have a wonderful support system to get you through these trying days.
Best of wishes on a speedy recovery for your step father ๐
Thank you sooo much Jodie for your sweetness and support. I appreciate your love and well wishes. ๐ XO,Jenn
Thank you my sweet friend!!! XOXO,Jenn
Thank you sweetie! ๐ XO,Jenn
Thank you Sadie for your love and support! I appreciate your loving kind words. XO,Jenn
Oh honey- I’m so sorry you are having some personal struggles right now. I know you will come through it, but I will keep you all in my prayers! I’m sending you a big hug!!! oxox
Jenn,
Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Yes, we have been down that road..definitely not an easy one !
Love, Robin
Thank you sweet Maija for your friendship and support! Things are looking better now. ๐ XOXO,Jenn
Jenn, sending you love and prayers. Wishing you moments of peace.
Love and blessings,
Bernadette
Sending lots of prayers, hugs and good wishes your way for you and your family, especially your step-dad! Hopefully he’ll be smiling and enjoying everyone’s company very soon ๐
I’m sorry to hear that your family is going through this tough time. I’ll keep you all in my prayers!
Colima
Dear Jen – So sorry to read about your step-father – it must be terribly hard on you, your family and especially your mom. I’ll keep your family in my prayers and hope for a speedy recovery. You’ve done the best thing though, you’ve surrounded yourself with family and friends and they’ll get you through whatever comes your way. Wishing you smiles…Nan
Jenn,
This is a little late but I just learned about your Step-Dad from your post {I’m so behind on blog reading}. I hope that things are going better for him and that he’ll recover quickly from all those darn complications and be able to go home to your Mom very soon. She is so lucky to have you with her during this difficult time. I’m going to go and say a pray for him when I’m done with this post. Sending you big, big, big {{{{{{hugs}}}}!
Love,
Suze
im so sorry happen your dad..you must be strong your life…
I’ll be keeping your step-father in my thoughts and prayers.
xo
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Take care.
Blessings,
Debbie