I’m gonna go to Slidell and get my joy back
7000 some odd miles
Outside of Slidell, LA.
We are moving west, after spending a month, hopping around Florida. Hoping is not probably not the best adjective when speaking of RV travel. More like lumbering. Lumbering like a Manatee. We saw a number of these endangered dudes on eco-tours and boat rides. Friend or foe? Florida was good to us and good for us. Sun, water, warmth; for a mountain girl, I feel very at home on the ocean. On the edge of the land, overlooking the vastness of everything and nothing. Mike Doughty lyrics are on continuous repeat,
Let me know your enormity and my tininess
Help me see your infinity and my finiteness.
Standing at the edge of the ocean, that tininess is undeniable. My reminder to surrender any need for control. To be. To still act and do, but mostly to be.
As we drove foam Biloxi to Gulf Port, Miss and now, in to New Orleans, you
get a nice dose of that finiteness. The destruction from Katrina is still everywhere. A permanent scar on this region, despite the rebirth and the perseverance to survive, the scars will always stand as a reminder of the loss.
Kinda like us.
7000 some odd miles
Outside of Slidell, LA.
.
We are moving west, after spending a month, hopping around Florida. Hopping is probably not the best adjective when speaking of RV travel. More like lumbering. Lumbering like a Manatee. We saw a number of these endangered dudes on eco-tours and boat rides. Weird. Florida was good to us and good for us. Sun, water, warmth; for a mountain girl, I feel very at home on the ocean. On the edge of the country, overlooking the vastness of everything and nothing. Mike Doughty lyrics are on continuous repeat in my head:
.
Let me know your enormity and my tininess
Help me see your infinity and my finiteness
.
Standing at the edge of the ocean, that tininess is undeniable. My reminder to surrender any need for control. To be. To still act and do, but mostly to be.
As we drove from Biloxi to Gulf Port, Mississippi, and now, in to New Orleans, you get a nice dose of that finiteness. The destruction from Katrina is still everywhere. A permanent scar on this region. Despite the rebirth and the perseverance to survive, the scars will always stand as a reminder of the loss.
Kinda like us.
.
Seabird Sanctuary
Indian Shores
Pier 60
St. Pete
Homasassa
Christmas Dinner, Ft. Wilderness
Kennedy Space Center
Satellite Beach
St. Augustine
Vilano Beach
Beautiful pictures…the one of Piper and the empty chair…so poetic…brought tears to my eyes.
Sure wish I had known y’all were on the MS coast. That’s my hood, and I would have given anything to meet you guys. Love and prayers… XOXO
Praying in Seattle!
Romans 5:4-6 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Bears
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Amazing photos. Passion, adventure, memories. Looks like you had an incredible time.
I ache though, looking at the photos and it’s so obvious there’s one missing. It reminded me to pray for you again tonight, and I will.
wow….
i love photos that you can feel….
awesome.
much love,
colleen 🙂
Hi Jess,
Thinking of you guys often. Love the pics from your travels. The are fabulous. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
love,
angela
amazing. I can feel these photos. I think of you all often, and I’m grateful you’re sharing photos. <3 always.
I love those photos…they are great…..
I just lost my dad 3 weeks ago…and the pain is simply unbearable that most days it takes my breath away…I think of you often and the plain awfulness of it all…Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and daily prays..May healing and peace be attainable for all in 2010.
These photos ROCK. Love the one of them running on the beach. THanks for sharing! xoxo
Seeing and pondering all my grand babes learned on this journey makes
my heart soar and tears flow. Catching us up on the past few weeks is
so appreciated! Looking forward to more!
Love all the photo’s. Wish I would of known you we’re in the area. We are in Cocoa Beach, FL.
LOVe the pics. Piper’s hair is beautiful – all those curls. Your trip and activities look like fun!! Keep trucking…..
Or oops…maybe that should be Keep RVing……
You weren’t far from me in Louisiana 🙂 I live about an hour or so from New Orleans, just outside of Baton Rouge! Love you pics!
Love the pictures and all the smiles!
Always praying for you!
I am glad you enjoyed the ocean so much. You took some spectacular pictures. I always feel Tuesday when I am at the ocean. Every single time. I think she really likes it there. When I feel overwhelmed by her loss I go to the beach. It always makes me feel better. You always have an open door here if you wanna come hang out at the left beach.
Jess, These pictures are amazing…not that I am surprised…Glad to hear that you are all still having a good trip.
I am LOVING these photos Jess and as aways, your words just move me.
I am so glad to hear Florida was so good to you. You all needed it.
LOVE you & thinking of you all the time!
Always, Debi
Beautiful photos! Such an amazing journey!
I went to school in southern Louisiana and it remains one of my favorite parts of the country. Such warmth. I hope you find your joy.
I stumbled across your blog tonight and lost track of time reading and reading and reading.. I only stopped because I ran out of story since this is your most recent post. I don’t know you, I can’t imagine your pain, but thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. I hope it brings you comfort to come here and write. You might all be faking it, but you look happy in the pictures above. I think you are happy, at times, and that taking the road trip was the perfect thing for your family right now. I can tell you’re deeply hurt, but you are also healing.. together.
Know that I’m here praying!
John 11:25-26: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
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Loved seeing the pictures of the kids. Looks like Go Daddy had a good time too. Sorry that we could not get together with all of you, but you are always in our prayers and you all look great in the photos and the kids look like they are having a wonderful time and lots of great experiences. Think of you everyday and think of Tuesday too. I know she is watching over all of you.
Love,
Aunt SuSu and Uncle Jim
Great Pics! Thanks for sharing! Looks like you had a great time in Florida! I know exactly where you were for the st. pete shot in the Banyon Tree! And Pier 60… isn’t the street show exciting? My kids love when we take them there. We too would have love to run into you all to give you a great big hug! Glad you enjoyed Florida! Always thinking and praying for your family!
Your photos are just gorgeous. All the kids look great and I’m so glad that you all have this time together to heal, despite the scars.
Beautiful, gorgeous photos!!! You all remain in our hearts and prayers. Much love!
I always visit you all through your blog….I hardly ever post b/c I feel bothersome in a weird way, and who am I anyway, but everyone around me, in my little world, knows about Tuesday. I can’t tell you how many times I have noticed and even said outloud things like “did you notice that a new store has come to town called Tuesday mornings, or in my Parenting magazine a little girl pottytraining had undies on….they had “Tuesday” on them. Even recently a news conference about a couple who won one of the lotteries………..the wife’s name was Tuesday and my sister looked at me really weird when I blurted out ” Kat look, did you notice that lady’s name is Tuesday. Still a year later, after I randomly came accross your blog I am still so moved, so stopped in my tracks by your little girl. My 23 month old has been hospitalized with RSV and just got home yesturday. We had only two days and nights of crying, him being confused and sick, needles, constant waking for meds and breathing treatments….only two days of him saying “I go home, I go home…” and all I could think of (besides getting him better) was how Tuesday was around his age when she was is the hospital so much. I know she is at peace now. I have two boys and desperately want a daughter. I have wanted her since I have wanted kids……since knowing your story I want to name her Tuesday…………………..but not really, really I realize I just want your Tuesday back, for you, for her. I wrote tonight because I was so moved by the pictures. It seems that all of Piper’s alone pics are off center, maybe all on purpose maybe not always on purpose, but she seems to always be saving a little space for her sister. I wish your family peace, healing, and happieness…….strike the healing, it seems to imply getting over something which you won’t so how about strength instead.
Glad you are doing well and basking in the warmth. You left here in the nick of time since it’s been freezing for weeks now. A foot of snow, then rain and our pasture flooded. We had to put our horses in our backyard dog area on Christmas morning and what a sight it was! They were there for five days and got lots of extra carrots from Chelsea.
I read this yesterday from Jer. 2 and have been mulling it over for a couple of days now. ‘Thus says the Lord, “I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness…”
There is a certain kind of comfort in being tiny. He likes taking care of us. He likes knowing our quirks. And He sees our hearts when we are struggling in the wilderness and going after him anyway.
Praying for all of you.
You have a real gift with photography and with writing. I always enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your pictures. I think of you all the time and continue to pray for you and your family. As one other person commented on, the picture of Piper sitting next to an empty chair was pretty profound. Thanks for the update. God bless you Jessica.
Love, Sarah
Praying right now!
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
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So glad you enjoyed Florida so much. We love it there! Indian Shores is where we vacation. Love Pier 60 and the fire guy! St Pete and Homosassa are awesome as well! Only wish we could have been there with you!
Beautiful pictures BTW!
The Lord understands everything you go through! Praying!
Isaiah 53:1-3: Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
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I was thinking about something at the end of this month, and thinking of last January, and praying for you. These pictures are beautiful. It looks like your kids are figuring out their new places- either with the oldest in the middle, arms around the younger ones; or Piper in the middle with her brothers protecting her. (I’m sorry, I get the boys mixed up.) It takes a long time to figure out your places after someone dies and I pray for your family that you will continue to.
hi jess. man, whenever i read here my first thought is i wish i could hug you. the kind where you really hold on. i am not sure if i want it more for you or for me, as if holding tight might transfer some of your strength to me or mine to you. maybe it is both.
this month started a new year but i have been thinking of tuesday so much, and of you and the boys and piper and charlie…like a little prayer i carry just there. i love seeing the joy and the bond that each picture shows, love the vicarious traveling that your account gives me. i miss the road sometimes.
my thoughts are with you and i want to say thanks for always sharing something that makes me stop a minute. and for sharing your music with me. and reminding me to just be.
sending love, amiee
Great pictures….looks like FL was good to you guys. Safe travels on your last leg of the journey. I think of you guys all the time. Can’t wait to see you again in NC. Much love to everyone and big hugs of support to all. xoxo Jenn
Continuing to lift up prayers!
Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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Each photo is more beautiful than the next. And in each lies the echo of your little one lost. Thank you for sharing this beauty with us.
So I just wanted to leave you a message tonight saying I saw you in Ikea the other day. I don’t know if you me but we rode down in the elevator to the first floor. I didn’t even realize it was you until we had gotten off and I began to tell my friend of yall’s story and of Tuesday. She said well why don’t you go talk to her and I wanted too but you were already gone. But What I would of said is this: I read your blog and you inspire me to find the good things in life even when it’s very difficult. I would of told you how I prayed for Tuesday and your sweet family, and the day she passed I cryed so hard and held my kids close. I still to this day continue to pray for you and yours. And Piper is just beautiful by the way!
And tonight I’m telling you this because I’m so mad I did not get to talk to you in person. For that I am sorry.
I hope your journey is going great and you are finding a peace from it all.
Know that your family is always in my thoughts and prayers!
Isaiah 53:4-6 ¶Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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Christ went through all this for us, that we might have hope! Praying!
Isaiah 53:7-10: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
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Hey, Jess. I have to tell you that I just love, love, love your pictures. The Florida sights looked just amazing. I’m so proud of you and your family for taking on this adventure. There are no words for how important it’s been for all of you, I’m sure. Like one of the other commenters said, you guys are on my mind even more this month as I’m sure it’s so hard coming up on the one-year anniversary of Tuesday’s death. I know that I will never, ever forget everything I felt when following Tuesday’s story all the way up to that day and beyond. She’s impacted me more than I thought a two-year-old ever could. Lots of love to you all.
Christ suffered in our place that we might have the hope of Heaven! Always praying!
Isaiah 53:11-12 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Prayer Bears
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Know that I’m here continuing to pray!
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Prayer Bears
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Praying!
Psalm 9:9-10: The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Prayer Bears
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I love the sand angels!! I am so glad that you have this chance to be together as a family and miss Tuesday and figure out how to go from here. Hugs to you all today.
Stopping by to let you know I’m still praying!
Psalms 39:12-13 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Prayer Bears
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Praying right now!
Psalm 40:1-4a: I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust,
Prayer Bears
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Lifting up prayers right now!
Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
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Praying in Seattle!
Psalms 37:39-40 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Prayer Bears
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Know that I’m here praying!
Psalm 90:1-4: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
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I know I commented here a couple weeks ago, but I must have forgotten to hit post or something. I have been in the middle of a huge move from Colorado to Wisconsin and even in the midst of all that craziness, I have had you and your family on my mind every step of the way. I thought of you during our road trip and how the kids were driving me so nuts there were times I wanted to jump out of the car! I hope your little ones are more well behaved than my rugrats 🙂
It’s January. It’s cold here in Wisconsin. Like way colder than Colorado is on it’s coldest day. Even when I am bundled up and in the warm confines of our current place, my toes are always freezing. I hope you are all somewhere warm on a beach somewhere! If so, please wiggle your toes in the sand for me, lol!
Your photos are amazing, your words move me beyond measure. My prayers are pouring from my heart as I know this month is by far the toughest to endure. I hate that I am some stranger posting here. I wish you could know how much Tuesday’s story has touched me, how much I care about all of you and how much my family prays for healing…of cancer…and of your broken hearts.
I always struggle to find the right words, but there are no words, really. I just hope that in some tiny way, knowing we have you in our hearts and prayers helps somehow.
God bless you,
Continuing to lift up prayers!
Psalm 91:1-2, 4: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust…He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Prayer Bears
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Praying right now!
Psalm 91:11-12 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Prayer Bears
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Continuing to pray!
Psalm 91:14-15 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
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Praying as always!
Psalm 61:1-4: Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
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Keep your eyes on the Lord, He’s always there for you! Praying!
Psalm 62:1-2: Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
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