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Home ยป Blog ยป How Lucky I Am

How Lucky I Am

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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Kathleen Mary "Kate" Kelly

Thank your for your prayers-my beautiful, holy, Saint-like friend Kate went to heaven (straight there I know it) on February 12 after a short battle with ovarian cancer.  Kate was the kind of person everyone walked away feeling like they just met someone special.  I met her years ago at a soccer game and we reconnected when we were both diagnosed with cancer and she supported me through all of chemo.  She was the first person I hugged after my last treatment, which was a cry-fest for me.  I could call her and say “I need you” and she would be anywhere I was in a minute.  She was going through her own chemo at the time, and we cried together but she was a never-ending well of hope and strength to me.  She is the one who shaved my head, she is the one who gave me the strength to take off my itchy hat and be bald in public.  (She could pull it off, she was strikingly beautiful.)  She has raised or was in the process of raising (she has 8, with far apart ages like me, that’s how we connected) incredible children along with her husband-just one of those amazing families, that humbly set a beautiful example of a Christian family.  I will miss her but I feel her presence always.  I know she is joyful,  I know she sees the plan in it’s entirety and is at peace with it all.  The feeling that I ‘know’ this is so strong I never doubt it.   I think of the quote from one of my favorite people who passed last year- “How lucky we are to feel this way.”  How lucky, blessed, filled with gratitude I am that Kate has touched my life for all of our eternity.  I am sure every single person who knew her is saying the same and her life will serve as an inspiration to us all.

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February 23, 2019 ยท 19 Comments

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  1. Alf and Lily Creations says

    February 23, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Such sad news, cancer is a b***h and takes far too many far too soon.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 23, 2019 at 4:38 pm

      I agree-hate it with every ounce of my being. Not fair, for anyone, ever.

      Reply
  2. Tiffany says

    February 23, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    Iโ€™m so sorry for the loss of your friend. โค๏ธ

    Reply
  3. knit one, knit two says

    February 23, 2019 at 6:36 pm

    Iโ€™m sorry to hear this. Prayers for you and her loved ones. Itโ€™s so unfair. โค๏ธ

    Reply
  4. Kande says

    February 23, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    I am so sorry.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    February 23, 2019 at 11:07 pm

    Oh, the paradox of suffering. So good that you had a friend like that. You wrote such a touching tribute for her.

    Reply
  6. Dini says

    February 23, 2019 at 11:43 pm

    This is so beautiful. How blessed you both were to have each other. I'm very sorry.

    Reply
  7. Trina@theGilliganChronicles says

    February 24, 2019 at 12:09 am

    Sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Thoughts and prayers to her family.

    Reply
  8. Ani Mia says

    February 24, 2019 at 12:56 am

    I am so very sorry for you loss. I whispered a prayer for your friends after reading your last post. My mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer when I was 23 and I lost her when I was 27. Though it was 13 years ago, the loss still feels so very profound…

    Reply
  9. Billie Jo says

    February 24, 2019 at 1:04 am

    So very sorry, Sarah.
    I prayed for her and her family at mass tonight.
    From your words, I can tell she was a lovely soul who will live on in those she left behind.
    Hugs.

    Reply
  10. S says

    February 24, 2019 at 11:30 am

    I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend – may her light shine bright in heaven. I am very thankful she was such a source of strength for you during a time you needed that support from someone walking your path. What a beautiful gift she was for you and continues to be. Prayers for you and for her family and those mourning her loss.

    Reply
  11. Susan says

    February 24, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    Oh Sarah, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear friend. She sounds like she was an amazing woman while on earth. I'm sure she will continue to be an inspiration and guardian from heaven. xo

    Reply
  12. Maiden Jane says

    February 24, 2019 at 4:40 pm

    Sarah, I am so sorry for the loss of this special friend and dear woman. That she supported you and you still feel her presence is a blessing to you. I will pray for her family.

    Reply
  13. Karen says

    February 24, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    Sarah, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your amazing friend with us. Just reading this makes me want to be stronger for those around me.

    Reply
  14. Ruth says

    February 25, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    I'm so sorry that your friend has gone on before you. She must have been such a help to you, and you to her, as you both battled cancer. Our bodies do wear out, but our souls don't, and I'm sure she is still watching over her own family and friends. God knows what He is doing, and we all hope to see our dear ones in heaven once again. May you continue to be a light to others, as your friend was a light to you. All the best!

    Reply
  15. Audrey Chandlee says

    February 25, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    I'm so sorry for the loss of your very special friend, and now, your angel to watch out for you everyday. I have no doubt that you will be the same kind of pillar of support for someone else someday. Take care and cherish your memories in the coming days.

    Reply
  16. Amanda says

    February 25, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    So many condolences, Sarah. Your strength and wisdom are a gift.

    Reply
  17. Pam says

    February 26, 2019 at 12:52 am

    oh Sarah…something brought me here tonight. I've been thinking of you. I am so so sorry for your friend. What a beautiful woman inside and out. She and her family will be in my prayers. Sending you love..xx pam

    Reply
  18. Traci says

    March 3, 2019 at 6:25 am

    She sounds like a wonderful lady. I will pray for her family.

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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