^{Last time I wrote about my “long siege” trying to settle a very messy estate situation, and how I got through it (mostly) intact.}

^{Now I’d like to share what to do when your “long siege” is over.}

^{Again, your “long siege” might be an illness (your own or a loved one’s, in which you were the caretaker), a divorce, a difficult family situation, or any number of other trials.}

^{For many people, the pandemic and all it entails has been a “long siege” which may or may not be over.}

^{It may feel like any long siege will never end, but it usually does, one way or another.}

^{The time of closure when it does end can be a very rich time of receiving all the gifts from the experience.}

^{It can also be a time of vulnerability.}

^{It’s not uncommon for people to get sick after an especially stressful period, a phenomenon called “the let-down effect.” I was aware of this, and wanted to make sure I don’t get sick now.}

^{(Although I have to say, perhaps God is already helping me in that regard. The very day I knew for sure how things would end with the estate, we took our car into the repair shop. Verdict: we need a new car. So this week was spent on getting that together. But, as a friend put it, “maybe I need new wheels for new adventures.” I like that! And maybe I needed another shorter-term, minor stressor to help me “wind down.”)}

^{So here are some steps I’m taking to provide closure on the “long siege” so I can heal and reclaim my life.} Read More→