Saturday Morning Message: Enjoyable Activities

Good morning,

Sharing enjoyable activities with a loved one can be the high point of our lives. When those activities are things we did with our loved ones, continuing to do them may keep these special people close to us. The picture today is one I took of a trip to Maine with the whole family when the kids were young. I still love to go to the beach. Sometimes I sit by the ocean or the lakes in my region and contemplate those pleasurable memories.

Would you like to share a question or read how other survivors respond to a topic or question you have? I need more questions, responses to questions and songs to keep the Saturday Morning Message interesting. It can be helpful to read and hear how others cope. I encourage you to send your contributions to the Saturday Morning Message by emailing me at online@taps.org.

Hugs,
Carol Lane
Mother of Bryon

Answers from Survivors

Responses from Survivors to last week's question: What is something you and your loved one enjoyed doing together that you still do now?

From Georgianna, mother of Jamie: My son and I worked out a lot together as he was growing up. When he went into the Navy, we would share our workouts over the phone. I am really picking my workouts up now, because I kind of ate too much lately and from missing him. I don't want to eat on my emotions. I recently moved to a new area, and joined a gym. This gym has a pool. My son was on the swim team in high school and received honors. What is going to be great is when I am swimming, I know he is swimming with me. It is a new normal way of life to learn to live. I have to go swimming now. God bless everyone.

From Mary, TAPS supporter: My favorite sister, Annette, who was 13 months younger than me, died a few years ago. We used to love to scrapbook together and give those as gifts to loved ones. She always complimented me no matter how badly it turned out. Today I send out scrapbook/collage cards I hand make with her in spirit next to me.

If you would like to send a message thanking one or all of those who participated in this week’s Saturday Morning Message, send it to me at online@taps.org and I will make sure your thoughts are passed along to them.

Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message

As we head into the giving season, it can be helpful to remember the gifts our loved ones gave us just by being themselves. We remember the little things that made them so special. I know when I think of my son, Bryon, I remember the times we spent together and his ability to bring a smile to my face when he unexpectedly called from wherever he was. Now I make sure that I call those who are close to my heart every once in awhile just to say that I was thinking of them. I hope it warms their hearts as much as those calls did mine. So the question for the week is: What is a gift that your loved one left for you that you now pass along to others? I am looking forward to reading your thoughts and sharing them next week in the Message.

♫ Song for the Week

This week’s song, "Be Without You" sung by Mary J Blige was sent by Essie, mother of Tysheena.

You can send me favorite songs for this song of the week section at online@taps.org and include a note about why the song is meaningful to you.