Our bereavement counselor, who specializes in death related grief, mentioned what is called the “7, 8, 9” theory to us tonight.  He indicated that months 7, 8, and 9 after the death of a loved one tend to be more difficult than all those that preceded. 

Really???!?  Is more severe pain even possible?!!?? 

I sat there trying to imagine what “harder” could possibly feel like when everything still feels so challenging to me.  

Well…

We are rapidly approaching the anniversary of Jud’s onset of symptoms, which I expect to be treacherous, and we are just over a month away from entering “month 7.”  I am beginning to see that it might be realistic to prepare myself for more extreme pain in the very near future.

But for now, I need to keep reminding myself that God has given me an appropriate measure of strength to make it through today, and I can trust that He will do the same tomorrow.