Update from the Joyce Family 9-29-07

Many of you have written or called this week to ask how we are doing, so I thought I would send out an update. First of all, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. As the days go by, we experience new emotions every time we turn around. It is comforting to know that you are praying for us and missing Chris like we are.We have been so busy lately. It seems as though we haven’t stopped long enough to take a breath. This reason prompted me to get our family involved in some type of support group, to have an outlet to feel the feelings we seem to avoid, by being so busy. This past Tuesday, we had our first meeting at The Warm Place in Fort Worth. This is a grief support center for children. It was very emotional for all of us. I think it is the first time that I have sat for a long period of time, completely focused on Chris and our loss, since he passed away. Although this is hard, I know it is important to face. I can’t explain to you how amazing this place is and how comforting it is to be there. The little kids loved it and never wanted to leave. Next Tuesday will be our first time to go to one of the group nights. Our group night is called Sons and Daughters and will be made up of families who have lost a parent. The night starts out with a potluck dinner, then the kids are divided up among their age groups for a time of sharing, while the parents also meet together. We will attend every other Tuesday. Cody is a lot like me… he seems to cope better by staying busy, so he is unsure how he feels about this step we are taking, but he is willing to give it a try. If it doesn’t work out for him, I do believe he is blessed by having a wonderful group of friends and mentors from church and school to help him through this time. Sometimes staying busy is a good thing… I just don’t want too much time to go by and then have some sort of breakdown cause we never stopped long enough to deal with it. Please pray that this will be a good experience for our family.Something very special happened this week… the kid’s school, Pantego Christian Academy, placed a memorial stone in their flower garden in honor of Chris. We saw it yesterday, for the first time. There are no words to express what this means to the children and myself. To walk by this everyday and know that Chris is not forgotten is a priceless gift that brings us comfort and peace. Thank you PCA for your love and support and most of all for loving Chris and helping us to remember him. I have attached pictures for you to see, but our local friends can see it from the elementary carpool line, along the path that leads to the practice field. Thanks again PCA and the individuals who made this happen. We love you.I have been spending a lot of time sorting out business and legal matters, as well as getting our house back in order after a year of letting it go. But, the kids keep me the busiest, between dance, karate and other activities. Every new experience without Chris brings sadness, but we also feel so blessed. Thank you for your continued love and support, but especially for your prayers. Please pray specifically for me as I find myself having the most trouble with all of the decisions that I now make without Chris. These can be as simple as a home repair or as big as preparing myself to return to work someday. It can be overwhelming at times, and I know the only way to face it is to give it to God and let go, cause I can’t do it on my own. How would I ever get through without the love and support of my friends and family? You are such a blessing to us. Love,Mandy