Today is a day to be thankful. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for! However, this also a very sad day for many because someone will be missing. I always remember both. My heart for today is that we all remember what today is really about. Hug those you love and don’t leave things unspoken, for tomorrow is never promised. If you are one with a heavy heart because your person is missing, I will say a special prayer for you today. Again, there is always something to be thankful for, but that in now way negates the fact that you are missing someone, that there will be an empty chair.
Wishing all my friends and family a beautifully blessed day ♥️
Gotta love the 'About Me' sections of everything. I feel like I'm either in a one sided interview or trying to create a dating profile. "I like starry nights and long walks on the beach" Ha!
All jokes aside, it is necessary to share your story. Especially in a place like this where you hope to reach people through your struggles.
So here goes everything...
Hi everyone 👋🏼
Grief is a journey, an ever changing and painful process. It can isolate you and make you feel more lonely than one could ever imagine. That is why I write and share my story. We need support. We need people that "get it." We need each other.
I was married to the love of my life, just shy of 13 years. We went to school together, known him since elementary. He was my "boyfriend" in 5th grade. I even wrote "Joni Roberts" in my notebooks and cheered for him when he played basketball at recess 😂 We came back together when we went to the prom, as friends, our senior year in high school. That was in 1997. We started dating seriously in the summer of 1998. He asked me to be his wife in February of 1999. We said "I do" on October 2nd of the same year. We had our first child in October of 2000, our son. We had our daughter, 22 months later in August of 2002.
In the time we were married, we went through more than most could go through in a lifetime. We never gave up on each other. In June of 2012, he and I were in a horrible car accident that claimed his life. In an instant, my entire world was shattered, leaving me a grieving single mother of two grieving children who are now teenagers. I'm walking day by day through life without the one that would be with me forever. I would have never imagined that this is where I would be in my life at 41 years old. But, I am doing everything I can to be strong and to take this grief and use it to fuel the purpose for the rest of my days here on earth. ONE. DAY. AT. A. TIME.
Today:
I am in the waiting room for my first neurologist appointment. It is in the same office as my surgeon from the accident. I'm sitting here remembering myself horribly hurt and in a wheelchair and I'm overwhelmed with feelings but mostly reflecting on how far I've come.
I love and miss my best friend every single day. I'm positive that won't change until we are together again. I am choosing to try and live my life in a way that would honor him and make him proud. Living With Purpose.
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28 thoughts on “The Empty Chair”
Courage, strength, hope and faith, from my family to yours. a beautiful post for thanksgiving…
Have a holiday filled with peace, love and happiness!.. 🙂 “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”― Dr. Seuss
“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, people we can’t live without but have to let go.” ― Nancy Stephan
Here’s to anything that reminds us to be humble in our love and our hearts. Do you know why broken hearts feel so much? 💞 It’s because they are open. 🙏
Happy Thanksgiving Joni. All the best for today with family and that special someone who brings happiness and light into the dark side. We all miss loved ones on Holidays like today. With God all things are possible !! God bless you and yours Joni !!
Thank you Joni. I am but my body is still not all healed. I am waiting for a CT Scan and Angiogram. My doctor is going to have the date set.. I will wait. It is nice out though so not bad that way
Courage, strength, hope and faith, from my family to yours. a beautiful post for thanksgiving…
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Thank you!
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Joni: you are so thoughtful, kind, sweet. Thank you.
God Bless you Abundantly.
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Aww thank you. I hope you had a blessed day.
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This poem makes me think of all of my lost loved ones.
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💗💗💗
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Have a holiday filled with peace, love and happiness!.. 🙂 “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”― Dr. Seuss
“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, people we can’t live without but have to let go.” ― Nancy Stephan
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Love this so much. Thank you 💛
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Beautiful Joni! Sharing this with a few friends who ARE missing someone!
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Perfect. Thank you. Hope you have a great day.
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Thank you Joni! Hope you day was great as well.
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Love to you Joni.
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And to you 💛
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Here’s to anything that reminds us to be humble in our love and our hearts. Do you know why broken hearts feel so much? 💞 It’s because they are open. 🙏
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Prayers for blessing, peace and comfort today!!! 💖💖💖
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Thank you 💗💗💗
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Happy Thanksgiving Joni. All the best for today with family and that special someone who brings happiness and light into the dark side. We all miss loved ones on Holidays like today. With God all things are possible !! God bless you and yours Joni !!
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Thank you! Hope you had a wonderful day.
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Yes, I have had one of those days but not good. I will feel better soon Joni. Keep positive and happy !!
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Feel better soon!
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Thank you Joni. I am but my body is still not all healed. I am waiting for a CT Scan and Angiogram. My doctor is going to have the date set.. I will wait. It is nice out though so not bad that way
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Prayers 💙
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Thank you Joni. God bless you !!
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Perfectly expressed, this spoke to my heart Joni! I hope you have a joyous day with your family and loved ones. I love you sweetness!
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Aww thank you. I love you ❤️
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Hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving x
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You are a true inspiration! I hope you had a beautiful holiday and I pray that you are doing well. *Hugs*
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Thank you so much. Hugs back 💗
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