While I was sitting at my computer tonight I glanced up to the shelf above me and noticed a Willow Tree figurine, entitled "Promise." I bought it for my Wife a few years ago for our anniversary. As I held it in my hands and looked at it, I couldn't help but think about all the years we have been together. This past year we celebrated 30 years. I also couldn't help but think about the past 10 years. The past 10 years were probably the most difficult years of our marriage. We have two wonderful Children. During their early to mid teen years, unaware to us, they became heavily invovled in the drug and alcohol scene, and their involvement had become quite dangerous. Once we found out what was happening there was literally nothing we could do, and we literally lost both our Children about 4 years ago. My Wife and I spent many sleepless nights, lying in bed, afraid that the telephone would ring, bringing us the news that one or both of our Children had died. We were living in a literal Hell. We prayed that somehow God would protect them and that somehow He would bring them to the point where they wanted to change. All we could do was commit them into the Lord's hands and believe that He would keep them safe. Well, three years ago we experienced the wonderful power of God working in their lives. How it all came about may not seem too wonderful to some, but we believe it was God, and they are alive. They have since taken the necessary steps to put their lives back on the right track. For the past two years it is like we have two new Children. We literally lost 10 years of our Children's lives. During these past several years my Wife and I have learned the power of Love, and we have learned to depend on God and each other for the strength we need to survive the storms of life. I have only hinted at what my Wife and I had experienced with our Children, but trust me, I could probably write a best selling novel based on the last 10 years of our life. I am just so thankful for how God has worked in the lives of our Children, and especially thankful for the Wife God has blessed me with. There is no way we could have survived the last several years without each other. Hand in Hand, drawing on each other's strength is how we survived.
Your story sure makes this figurine and its title even more beautiful as one can understand what "promises" have meant to you -- God's promises and your promises between your wife and yourself.
Congrats on hanging in there together thru the rough times.... not easy to do and that's for sure.
May God continue to bless your family & may the future hold more happiness for you than you can imagine. Thank you for sharing your touching story about the tears of pain & joy in parenting. My son turns 9 tomorrow & I fear the temptations he will come across in the next decade & a half. Bless you & may you have peaceful slumbers.
Nice picture and caption. I put my faith in God that our only child stays safe as he grows. We lost one child at birth and we do not want to lose this one. Sometimes I think we shelter him too much but as he enters high school this year, I am hoping and praying that he makes good decisions in his life.
I am so glad your children are heading in the right direction now. It's just too bad that soo many teens now adays are falling into the same trap, I am proud to say I am NOT one of them. In fact sometimes I wonder if I am tooo innocent, but I'd rather be that way than to chance ruining my life or putting my life in danger. I pray that all the children struggling with alcoholism and other drug related problems, that God heals them and helps them to do what's right. That's all we can do. But again, I'm so happy your children are getting better, and I am so happy that you had your wife. This story is so touching, it goes perfectly with the picture, and perfectly into the hand theme. I really admire you Rick.
Rick, thank you for sharing your story. I know it took courage and I also know it will give hope to others in a similar situation. Right now I have a friend who is going through the most difficult period of his life. I cannot go into details but suffice it to say that I hope he will turn his problems over to God as it is, most likely, humanly impossible to survive otherwise. I am trying to be the best friend I can be but I am also having difficulty being strong for him, so I too, am trying very hard to keep the faith. As for you, I know the love you and your wife have for each other was stronger than any problems you had to face and together you were able to face all that was thrown your way. Thank God your children have "come home" to you. God Bless your family, Rick....and how nice that this statue has come to mean so much to you.
Rick that is such a beautiful picture and story. I can relate very much as my dad has had problems with drugs in his life as well. Its really scary like you said and I was afraid I would get a call that they found him dead too. He is finally back on the right path, and I am so glad to hear that your children are as well! Thanks for sharing such a personal story with us!
This is such a beautiful photo. Unfortunately as a teacher, I've seen the struggles that some students and parents have taken with drugs and alcohol. Yet, I don't really know first hand how difficult those struggles can be. Faith seems to be the only way to live. Blessings to you and your family!
Rick your story brought tears to my eyes.I can't imagine what you and your wife have had to endure. Your love for each other must be so powerful and complete. I am so happy that you both now have your children back and that you survived such an ordeal,God bless.
Thank you for sharing your story. I love these figurines; the ones that actually have some meaning for me and my life, as this one seems to be a perfect fit for your marriage! May God continue to bless you and your family.
It must have been a very difficult time for your whole family. Thank goodness things are now proving a less traumatic. Thanks for sharing & a lovely picture!
Rick, it took courage to bare your soul about your ordeal and the faith that saw you through. Every parent crosses his fingers as their children enter their teen years, and some [rayers are answered and others have to wait. With a friend, I saw a similar story played out, and today, there's not a trace of the struggle as the young man finished college, has a nice carreer and a sound marriage. Waiting is hard, but I'm glad you were there to welcome your children back home. It's a real testament to your marriage, with this photo and subject being a symbol of hope, faith and love.
Rick what can I say?I am so pleased you have come though these difficult times, and hope you all have happy times ahead, hand in hand!.What a beautiful anniversary gift. lovely picture of it
So much of what we do as parents is based on faith. We want so much to give our children the best of everything but it is hard to accept that our ideas and goals may not be what our kids are seeking. And then when they turn to forces that are actually harmful and dangerous, it rocks our world. I am so glad that your children found their way back from the precipice with God's help. And how wonderful that you can share their struggle with your 365 family as a witness to the power of the Lord.
I'm thankful that God is so kind and patient through our stupidity and wanderings until we come to the end of ourselves, and how he welcomes us with open arms when we finally turn around. Glad your kids have made some turnarounds and that you two were able to brave the storm. Nice take on the figurines, too.
Thank you for sharing this story, Rick. Being the parent of a teenager and having traveled through some difficult times over the last two years, I can appreciate your pain (and private Hell). Thank goodness you and your wife had each other and that your children have found their way through a difficult maze. Blessings.
I love this photo and so appreciate you opening up your heart and life to us and sharing your journey through those awful teen years with the kids. We walked that same road and remember how scared we were for their safety and future. We all got past it and they are wonderful adults now. I'm sending you a virtual hug of sister/brotherhood of parents who survived the teen years of our kids. I don't have a glass of wine here but will clink bottles of water with you. =) Thanks again, Rick. Awesome!!
Rick the figurine is so beautiful and I am so moved by your sharing with us. I too believe in the power of God and prayer and I have experienced him in my life too. I am pleased that you have your children back and that your faith is strong.
A great testament to how God works things out for those that believe. In the past I worked with some troubled kids and I believe if we bring them up with a strong faith in God the may wonder but they know the path to get back.
Such a heartbreaking yet uplifting story for such a beautiful picture. I am so very sorry you had to go through such a trivial time, but am so glad that you and your wife were able to do your best to put it in God's hands and pray for Him to see them through. I'm so glad He did.
Rick, this is a beautiful picture that goes along with such a touching story. I'm sorry that you had to go through such a thing, but God doesn't give us more than we can handle and on a positive note, it brought you closer to your wife.
I'm glad that you're children are recovering, and I hope that they stay on the path of recovery, until they are sober enough to lead a life with God in it as well.
God Bless you.
I am so pleased that I looked at your photo and read your moving commentary. People's struggles and loves and fears go on day after day and we are so unaware of what is happening sometimes in our own neighbourhood. I am so glad you have been able to come through your 'battle' and become a united family once again. Good luck for your future together.
The photo is beautiful with the shadows, light and color. Your story makes it all the more beautiful. I'm really happy to hear there is a brighter side for you now.
What a beautiful photo, Rick, but more importantly, what a beautiful story of loss and recovery and faith. Thank you for sharing. May God continue to bless and keep you, your wife and your children.
This figurine with its wonderful lighting sums up the hope and comfort in your story. I am so pleased good came of the sad situation you found your family in.
Rick, thank you for sharing your story with all of us..I'm sure it was a very hard struggle for you and your wife to overcome. I have a niece and a nephew who are currently going through this phase, as well as my sister. I worry daily about what is going to happen to each of them, and I pray to God that they will make that change. I'm glad your children are on the right paths now.
I have one of those angels in front of the photo of my eldest son who lost the fight & his life to drugs. We had 10 years of hell before he died too. I am so glad your children are alive today. Our family fell apart long before he died. You are lucky to have your spouse & a faith to help you.
Rick - what a wrenching story with such a blessed ending. The Lord is good when we trust him. What incredible faith you and your wife have. You are truly inspiring. I also want to thank you for your kind words everyday. You always put a smile on my face when I haven't been able to find one myself. I look forward to hearing more about your children as their new lives with you unfold. Sign me up as a follower.
Dear,Dear Rick, I was guided to be a follower of your photographs, and I know now why - you and your Darling wife are, the example that God wants us to be and I am so grateful that he led you to share your awesome story and the conclusion of a dark number of years. We have been so blest, to have not gone through that with our 5 but I have friends who did. I try and it's nor easy to be faithful to the Lord, but I do try to live with these words"Let Go and Let God". When I faithfully let go and promise not to keep bothering him with more prayers for help so and so, but instead "Praise Him" for what he has done, has given and has blessed us with already, I don't feel the need to keep asking for help!!! I can see what He has already done, so I know that those words "I cannot do it anymore Dear Lord, I place so and so into your hands and I leave them for your help", I also promise I will not keep asking for help I have "Let go and Let God". It works every time.
Rick, I too love those Willow figurines, and they always speak out when I walk past so I know I can buy them as gifts when I am led to do so. May He continue to Bless
You, Your wife and your children, for your Trust, Faith and your sharing with us. Thank You Rick.
What a wonderful photo.
I've just read your story,and but for the Grace of God we could have walked in your shoes.
We parents rear our chidren to the best of our ability, we're there for them, we guide them, but sometimes that is not enough.
I'm so glad that you have your two back into the fold again.
I imagine that you enjoy them everyday. :D
Love & lotsof hugs to you and your wife.
You are not alone .
Rick you love deeply as shown through the topics of your images, the words you put with them and how your respond to other's images too. I too love the simplicity of the willow statues and my first born had this on her wedding cake (she showed me the pix). I give my thanks for the joy you have with the 'rebirth' of your children and understand some of the loss you felt. Keep strong and thanks for sharing.
Congrats on hanging in there together thru the rough times.... not easy to do and that's for sure.
I'm glad that you're children are recovering, and I hope that they stay on the path of recovery, until they are sober enough to lead a life with God in it as well.
God Bless you.
Rick, I too love those Willow figurines, and they always speak out when I walk past so I know I can buy them as gifts when I am led to do so. May He continue to Bless
You, Your wife and your children, for your Trust, Faith and your sharing with us. Thank You Rick.
May you share many more precious years of a wonderful
Christian Faith led Marriage.
I've just read your story,and but for the Grace of God we could have walked in your shoes.
We parents rear our chidren to the best of our ability, we're there for them, we guide them, but sometimes that is not enough.
I'm so glad that you have your two back into the fold again.
I imagine that you enjoy them everyday. :D
Love & lotsof hugs to you and your wife.
You are not alone .