Always in My Heart

To receive email from Little Pearls, add linda@littlepearls.org to your safe sender list
View as Web Page	Subscribe	Send to a Friend
Little Pearls

Always in My Heart

It's been 3 1/2 months since my last "monthly" newsletter. Many of you know why, but some of you don't. I apologize for not being able to communicate sooner.

My husband Jim Stokoe died on December 11, 2012. We spent over 25 years together and he was my best friend. This change is huge. I have been immersed in grief work and all the tasks related to his passing, with minimal time and energy for anything else.

Bear with me as I share some of Jim's journey here, as there is no way to separate my life from the life of Little Pearls.

Jim's Journey

Jim was a bright, gentle, wise man who left a big legacy to our North Carolina mountains and to the world, through his work and in the way he lived his life. He continued to grow ~ and to give ~ during his 14 month journey with aggressive brain cancer, the often-intense treatments and his deteriorating physical and mental abilities. His sweet spirit was immense by the time he lifted off. Here are some links:

His touching obituary
Land-of-Sky Regional Council's remembrance, from those who knew him well as a friend and long-term colleague
A 5-minute Animoto video from photos of his life, which was part of his moving service

Spotlight Pearl: Spirit Dog

Three years ago, Jim really wanted to do a voice-over for one of the first two Dog Pearls. He had never done one before, and he was nervous.

This Pearl is about the love that lives on after death. Spirit Dog now feels as if it comes straight from Jim, as well as from Tucker, the handsome dog it features. For me, it is such a gift to have Jim's voice in a Little Pearl.

And now....

I am moving through my grief process and the transition from "we" to "me", with all its unfamiliar tasks, unpredictable ups and downs and erratic energy, as openly as possible to the feelings, as they come up. I have great support from family, friends and the five funny dogs and cats at home. I know I'll be okay.

Little Pearls is not going anywhere. It means too much to me and so many others. It's just waiting until I can give it my attention. In the meantime, you can:

Watch Little Pearls on YouTube. One day, about a month after Jim died, I put up a link on Facebook to a Little Pearl and didn't stop it from playing forward, so the "All Pearls" playlist kept running. Just watching those Pearls made me feel so much better. You might want to try it sometime, especially if you are feeling down, need some inspiration or want a reminder of what truly matters.
Visit our website (needs some updating, yet it's still great)
Get our beautiful DVD, for yourself and those you love
Check out our Pearl Dreams ~ there WILL be new Pearls!
Become a new Sponsor or renew your sponsorship, or: