A NEW FRIEND

I walked down to Boundary Park which is now a long walk for me.  I met a new friend who came and walked with me.  She was so kind and made sure I crossed the street okay.  Dad came and picked me up and I was happy to have a ride home.

We just got in the door when Pat and John dropped by to see how dad was.  They strongly suggest a trip to the doctor.  Now with dad's stomach acting up we are never sure what we can do.  He is getting very fed up with it and it is draining him.  No good at all.

I enjoyed being by the little pond and watching the ducks.

You are not allowed to feed them but I sure was tempted to do just that.

A beautiful sunset.  Dad sent Ken a picture of it too.

Today I will have my second iron infusion.  It will just be 2 hours not 4.  Dad will visit his friend while he is waiting unless he has to rush home.  John has volunteered to drive if necessary.  I know I could ask Carol or Panteli or Kim but I am sure dad will be okay.  I think.

"When I focus my life on another person and depend on them for my happiness I am not free to be me.  To be free I truly want to let the spirit within me to be free and rejoice in it's uniqueness.

May our spirits be free and soar high!"    -Laura Waldron

HAPPY DAYS

 

The squirrel eating our bird food.

Words from my journal.

Saskatoon was a good place to grow on in for me.  We lived on a tree lined street in a rented house and the man who owned the house had a room there and he also had a dog.  I was delighted with having a dog to play with.

My brother and I had to share a room for several years until the man past away and my parents were able to buy the house.  I was fortunate that my parents did love me and provided a good home.  My brother was a big tease and he got into trouble for other reasons too.  He was out-going and talkative while I was quiet and shy.  My dad was very strict and maybe that was from his childhood and also from the army.

Each day began the same way with my dad shaving and mom making breakfast of porridge and toast.  I happily took my place in the corner of the breakfast noon so I could look out on our back yard. There was a big patch of grass and then a vegetable garden.  I would be sent out to pick peas or carrots or raspberries as they became ripe.  This was during the war years and having a garden was being supportive of our troops.

I walked everywhere as we did not have a car but neither did a lot of people.  I would get very brown in the summer walking to the swimming pool across the train bridge.  I would take a lunch and stay there all day meeting friends and lying on the grass reading.  One of my first jobs was working there.

I loved to read as I still do.  Animal stories and historical novels and then.

My home was an average middle class made of stucco with shiny stones build into the stucco.  The living room had a fake fireplace with book shelves on each side.  My dad read Zane Gray books which later I would read too.

When my room became just me I slept in a brass bad that had come over from England.

I was a dreamer that would image adventures more than doing them.  My thoughts often shaped by the clouds moving across the sky!

Anyway that is enough.  I hope Nancy comments.

Yesterday was quiet.  Dad and I had a trip to the library.  I got a book about the Gut

which we will read together.  Dad plans to visit Don Begg and I will take down decorations and pack them away.  I will check on my neighbor Linda who has the nasty cough and cold.

You appreciate your parents more later in life at least I did and I am thankful I can remember mom when she was healthy and active.

BITTER

The cold was bitter when I tried to go for a walk Wed. morning so ended up just going around the block.  This seems to be our life style now facing up to a slower pace.

This is a picture of Linda's home where the party for Pat was held.  We arrived early but the truth was we had tried to ignore warnings that dad was going to have stomach problems.  There was a huge amount of snow there and the road to their place so narrow two cars could not pass.

It was a bitter disappointment that we would not be able to stay.

There would have been many of our old friends there and we were both looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up on the news in their lives.  The party would have been a noisy and happy occasion, a renewal of friendships and a celebration of 70 years of life.

As we left we were met on the road with many cars just arriving.  Arriving home we knew this was the best place for us to be.  After dad's  stomach settled down we had turkey sandwiches and I cleaned out the refrigerator and joined dad in watching the hockey game. 

Over the years there have been other times of bitter disappointment but the only thing to do is to accept and move on.  Life is about taking risks and feeling loved when the waters are rough and bumpy.

The spiritual challenge is not to allow bitterness but to choose to have a reverent attitude to life in all it's reality.  Christmas draws us closer as a family and has the power to draw us closer to the love of God, as revealed in the birth of baby Jesus.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

The Christmas story is one of divine intervention of a Higher Power, who I call God.

I do not know what he looks like but when I think of Him or Her I think of movement and energy but also emotions of joy and compassion.  Any time I have been aware of energy that has come out of no where I look back and I feel a joy with the awareness of how I have been carried by faith.

There have been times in my life when it seems like a door has been slammed closed and my feelings have been of hopelessness.  The amazing thing is I am forced to look within myself to be open to new greater possibilities.

Divine intervention is a personal encounter with grace revealed in the life of Jesus.  Healing thoughts are helpful and inspiring coming from past experiences and knowledge that my life has meaning and purpose.

Divine intervention is not forced upon us but more often waits to be discovered!

Time to listen for the song of the angels and be thankful that God is with me.

"Awareness leads to trust"  -James Martins

This does not mean that I cannot have questions but like Mary I wonder how can this be?

"A healthy sense of self-worth, self esteem, and self interest are all traits of an emotionally healthy stable and balanced and generous individual."  -Steve Chalke

On a lighter note it did not take dad long to realize I was not a good person to pick out our Christmas tree.  Wow I could pick out the most strange looking ones every time. 

This year I just brought a few branches in and ended up with a multitude of needles to be cleaned up.

  Thankfully dad helped with the vacuuming.

Today we attend our friend Pat's 70 birthday and it is a celebration of a long friendship.
Both our lives have been touched by her honesty and her faithfulness!

WORRY

Yes I always worry about my family when they are traveling.  I can remember how worried my mom was when we would start off to drive from Calgary to home.

Monday was such a strange day with a big snow fall early in the morning until noon.  Again my neighbor came and cleaned off the walk and driveway.  His name is Core and we did not really know him until we built the fence together and now he is so very kind and caring towards us.

Leah worked Christmas day driving in the snow all over town to delivering medications to people on drugs.  She has even saved a life with one lady over dosing before she arrived.  Craig is an exceptional dad who walks around with Ophelia while the rest of us our eating.  She does not sleep very much, only having small cat naps.

Tasha also drives a bus in this miserable weather and finds it stressful.

I did not get pictures of the busy people who worked hard in the kitchen.  Kim and Sandra and Randy and Oliver. Kim organizes a game and also organizes everyone except dad and I with jobs to do.  Serving drinks, or serving food, or clearing the table or washing dishes etc.

Oliver also left on the ferry to return home.  He plays in a small group, actually him and two girls, and they are going to be doing the opening numbers when a special band comes there to play.  I love to see and hear him play the big bass.

Life can be a bit more difficult for those of us who are worriers.  I am thankful that I can pray and trust that my loved ones are secure and safe in the holiness of God's unconditional love and they will all be able to cope with the unexpected which may have it's ups and downs.

The Christmas story is about God breaking into the life of Mary, a innocent young girl, with a message of an unexpected pregnancy.  He also can do the same in our lives in small ways.

There have been times in my life when because I am a worrier I feel vulnerable.  I do not always know why or where these feelings of fear or deep longing come from but I feel comforted by the presence of Jesus. 

Dad and I went out to lunch to take our minds off his very sick friend who turned down a visit from dad. He is Don Begg and he worked with dad.  He has shared Christmas with us in the past.  He has no family and now has been told he only has a few months to live.  Very tragic. 

BEAUTIFUL

It certainly was a beautiful magical Christmas.

From the moment we rang the musical doorbell and were welcomes by Sandra and Randy into a vry festive home.

Candle light and tiny Christmas trees decorated the tables.

Yes there were even Christmas crackers.

But the star was Ophelia.

Tasha and Sandra pose for a selfie with help from Randy.

Justice and great gramma pose for  the camera.

Trevor is camera shy.

This is the whole group of beautiful people.

A busy celebration from the arrival of Rick on Christmas Eve, the Breakfast with Carol and Panteli and Oliver opening presents until the grand final at Sandra and Randy's.  The camera sits on the mantel on a timer and Justice runs to get in the picture.  Yes it is fussy.

Monday is a quiet day which began with a walk with Rick.

This is at the park.

It was snowing and later it would turn to rain.

Rick left taking some lunch with him a little anxious about the weather.

Jesus was the baby whose birth we celebrate and whose life has the power to change all our lives through prayer and faith.

SKATING

The ice arena looked magical with the lights all around and music slowly playing.  Everyone so happy and excited.  Dad and I went expecting to see the family but no one showed up.  Rick had really looked forward to it but he is stuck in Kamloops because of the blizzard conditions on the highway.

Dad is in the penalty box where he often ended up when he was playing hockey.  He played with the old timers until he was seventy.  Health problems end his skating career.

Afterwards we dove to Carol and Panteli's where Oliver and Kim where helping set up things for our arrival.

The house looks very festive.

It is good to have Oliver here for a visit.

Sandra will be busy getting ready for Christmas day. 

Just by being together we brighten each other's lives and laugh at our mistakes and listening to stories of good times and not so good.  It is a joy always!

THE LIST

Little flowers hidden under the snow. 

I start the day with two lists.  One for keeping appointments and the other for getting food and prescriptions.  I kept the appointment at the doctors and he was very kind and took time to explain things to me.

The White Spot looked very cherry and warm.  We both had big plates that are far to much for us.  I had some fruit with my eggs to take home and dad had a big omelet far too much for him.  Dad had a bad stomach upset which changed our plans for the day.  I felt bad disappointing the family in Chilliwack, especially Morgan.

I took my list to the store and managed to get some of the things.  Rick arrives to-morrow so we will need some more food.  I will make a list first thing to-morrow.  Dad laid down for a 3 hour nap and I had a visit  from Cathy.  She brought me some brownies which are a favorite of mine.

She told me she had had a dream where I said something to her and it was like a lovely warm hug.  Our card She was very touched.

Glen was going to come and watch the game but dad went back to bed after chatting to Panteli.  The stories flew back and forth between them.

I am off to bed.

UNBELIEVABLE

The thing is I have only wrapped two presents.  So when dad said the white bag had Christmas presents I did not believe him.  It was impossible.  I did not wrap these presents and I have no knowledge of them at all.  It was several months ago I started putting things in the big bags.  So I insist there could not have been Christmas presents in that bag but he insists there were.

So that is the problem we have not brought presents and I have not wrapped them.  But dad insists there were wrapped presents in the bag.

Yes, we all can do unbelievable things  especially at this time of year. 

Our neighbor right next to us brought over a lovely gift package with special tea and chocolates and beautiful cards to write in.  The perfect gift for us.  Dad enjoyed the tea and I am always looking for special cards. 

Dad and I went out to do shopping but the parking was impossible.  What are all these handy-capped people doing out and about and taking the special parking not one was available.

I went to the dollar store to buy more Christmas bulbs for the tree in the park and then met dad at London Drugs.  He bought what he came for and then we both were tired out.  I had gone for a longer walk and came home aching all over.

I see Dr. Nolte to-morrow at 8:30 which is very early especially for dad.  I need some pills refilled and a form to get my blood checked when I am finished my iron infusion.  We want to drive out to Theresa and Mikie s.  Dad will be happy to have breakfast out and a nap before we go.

We got very warm messages from Ken s older family on our I phone.  It would be great to connect with them over the holidays.

Actually the story about the baby Jesus born in a stable seems very unbelievable and yet it always touches my heart.  A young girl far from home delivering a special baby.  Holding a tiny baby in your arms feels like you are holding a miracle.

A bright star, singing angels and shepherds fill the emptiness with radiance and beauty.

Faith comes alive as we enter into this story with renewed hope and amazement.

FORGETFUL

I enjoyed a walk around the block in the sunshine.  The snow was melting the whole day.

Dad and I drove around doing errands which included delivering a present and taking things to the recycle bin that is at the mall.  I cannot believe that a bag of  presents got in with the recycling bags.  Dad even said was I sure this smaller bag was to go to because it had presents in it.  I thought he was joking as it should not have had presents in it.  How did it get mixed up I do not know.  Am I just forgetful? 

I tell myself it could have been worse.  Presents I did not know I had with me have disappeared.

"Christmas is not just a time or a season but a state of mind to cherish peace and good will and to be plenteous in mercy."   -  Calvin Coolridge.

This applies to me being merciful to myself and remembering to-morrow is a new day.

Christmas is also a time of nostalgia when we remember  past years, a time to remember everyone we have ever loved.  My goal is to express love through my writing and through my family.

LONG AGO

On the way to White Rock on Sat.  Today it has been raining here and dad and I stayed home, except one trip to the post office and the store.  Some of the walking was a challenge but I am glad not to be driving to town.  Lots of traffic problems and bad news on the T.V.

I think we may have snow for Christmas but right now the rain is making a mess of the roads.

Thinking back to my childhood I was a very ordinary little girl with a big brother who would tease me.  I really want curly hair but unless mom put it up in rags it was very straight.  I usually had pig-tails.

At Christmas I would help dad wrap presents to be sent to his sisters back in South Shields England.  I would also help mom with the Christmas baking, short bread and sugar cookies and ginger bread.  Seems like it was long ago and it was.

My best memories are of doing things with my two best friends.  We walked everywhere as no one had a car.  Walking down town was a long walk over a bridge and sometimes it was very windy and cold.

My other favorite thing to do was visit Auntie Jennie who was not an auntie and more like a grandmother.  She too always had cookies and we would play card games and she would tell jokes.

We would spend Christmas with her and her husband either at her house or at ours. 

I am sure my parents thought I had a bright future ahead of me as I did very well in school.  I had planned to go to University but met the man of my dreams and all my plans changed.  We had also moved from Saskatoon to Regina.  When Larry got moved to the coast we got married and moved into a basement suite on Oak Street.

Christmas is not about presents but about thoughtfulness and kindness. I find I can still feel excited about being together.  Theresa has invited us out to Chilliwack on the 22nd and Carol is planning a skating party on the 23 and on the 25 we will be at Sandra and Randy's for a traditional turkey dinner.

We are a smaller group this year but we will be a jolly bunch!

"Adulthood is when the ghosts of childhood appear."  (especially at Christmas)
- Terry Guillemets

HUGS

I believe every hug I receive is a healing hug!

The happy pair arrive after an amazing visit with Grama Carol and Grandpas Panteli.  The had hot chocolate at McDonald's, went shopping at the new mall on the Ferry road, and to see the Christmas lights at the Garden Center.  The name slips my mind right now.

After a short visit Carol and Panteli leave and the children and I leave for the park.  It is snowing lightly.

Ben kicks his soccer ball all the way there and back.  Morgan and I walk carefully and she carries the decorations.

The children are good sports.  Ben hangs them on the taller branches.  We return home and have cookies.  Mikie arrives to take them home before we make the grilled cheese sandwiches.  No one leaves without a big hug for grandpa and me!

Carol says my eyes look brighter and my spirits feel brighter after reminding myself it is not going to immediately make me want to run a marathon,  Children bring such amazing life with them.  Morgan is so proud of the presents she has bought.  I am definitely living with renewed hope and happiness.

"A hug delights and warms and charms

that must be why God gave us arms."  - unknown

I read scripture with deeper faith and awareness of the hugs from heaven.

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds."  Jeremiah 10:17

We are all huggable.

AFFIRMATION

Yes it snowed a little bit over night.  Carol may bring Ben and Morgan over to help us decorate outside and Morgan and I may go to the park to put up some colorful balls etc.  I would like to go to church but I will see how the day goes. 

There were four of us sitting in big arm chairs that stretch out getting iron infusions.  I was amazed and affirmed by hearing their stories.  We all had the same problems and no answer to the question why our iron was down so low.  We were four ladies about the same age.  Feeling cold and having headaches and trouble walking along with fatigue and aches and pains.

Four hours was along time.  I should have taken something to eat.  We could have as much water or juice to drink as we wanted.  I was covered with a warm blanket.  Getting a needle in your wrist is no fun but the nurse was a real pro.  The nurses were excellent and very efficient.  One was dressed in bright pink, no one in the old uniforms at all.

I am not to expect anything to pick up quickly as it will slowly absorb.  I expected this amazing feeling of renewed energy but actually was extremely tired by the time we got home, so was dad.

I got again in three weeks.

Reliving the Christmas story still fills me with wonder and affirmation.

A gift given from the very heart of God to reveal in this child of promise a new faith built on love and grace and joyous affirmations.

TRUSTING

Friday was another sunny day.  Wonderful to see the children skating on frozen ponds.  I can remember as a child being one of the last ones to leave the ice rink at our school.  My boots would be sitting on the steps of the school and would be freezing to put on.  The walk home seem to be twice as long as usual.  Being able to be outside was so much fun growing up on the prairies.

Dad went to have a visit with his doctor who he really trusts because he cares and he listens and has a sense of humor which is a bonus.

I stopped by on the way home at the Seniors home and had a visit with Joyce.  Her son and daughter had been in so she was feeling very happy.  I will try to remember to take a camera next time.  It was good to see a lot of people having visitors.  Beautiful Christmas trees decorate the dining room and the sitting area.  Joyce also has a small tree and some decorations.  She likes the snow and the blue, blue sky.

Today I go to White Rock Hospital to have an iron transfusion.  I am trusting my doctor but I feel a little nervous but if it gives me more energy I will be thrilled.  Maybe I will even start to have Good Hair Days!

I am thankful to know God never stops loving us.  No matter what condition we show up at the manger there is room for us and even a raggedy heart will experience His healing love!

LIGHTS

We are surrounded by beautiful Christmas lights up and down our street. In the morning and in the evening the sky is ablaze with The glorious rays of the sun.  Even the moon is extra big and bright.
If we were searching for a miracle would we follow the brightest star, or listen as the shepherds did to the song of the angels.  In the old Testament the Word of Scripture was a light for our way until Jesus came to shine that light into our hearts with love.

How do we respond to the story of this special baby and allow the light into our hearts and minds?

Mary and Joseph are an example of faith and trust in God.  An angel or a dream or a word from a friend or loving family God is whispering to those who take time to listen.

Faith needs to be nurtured.  Nurtured with prayer, worship, reading spiritual truth, and by serving and giving to others.  It is with humility we enter into the story and knell before the Light of the World shining from Jesus.

Can we open ourselves us to this miracle?  Every child is precious and special!

Randy take note.

Party Time

Wed. was a busy day for me and dad.

I woke up early and got dressed and next thing I know I am waking up from a 2 hour nap. 

Driving home from Chilliwack the day before had been very stressful and tiring.  Traffic just crawled along because of several cars in the ditch.  Dad's foot was extra painful having to keep the brake on and off.

I would have been in time for the party at the restaurant but went to the wrong place.  The people there where being very helpful phoning around and because this took time dad left sure I was in the right place.  Thank goodness for cell phones to let him know I needed to be picked up and taken over to Scott road.  The girls from my study group had finally ordered as several girls did not turn up.  It was a fun time worth the effort!

Shawn and Tavia had asked us over for supper.

Actually they were even willing to bring it to us.

Taking a baby out is a lot of work.

Dad and littlie Ollie hit it off.

They live in a snug little basement apartment.

Ollie was very active but was getting a little over-tired.  We enjoyed a wonderful casserole and had a good visit too.

Today Haiti came for another visit.  I managed to take her to the park.  Her friend Rocky was there so I let them have a little play but when it was time to go Haiti did not want to come.  With the owners help I managed to put her back on the leash _

To-morrow dad is going to the doctor and I hope to visit Joyce.  It is cold and icy but beautiful.

In all of the universe, in all of eternity, there is no greater miracle, no greater love story than the birth of baby Jesus.

THE SINGER

We leave our home early in the morning on Tues. to drive to Chilliwack for the concert at Morgan' school.

I love watching Morgan sing in the huge choir at the center for Fine Arts.  All the children are so enthusiastic and put their hearts into the singing.  These are the older children from grade 4 up while the younger ones act out a play about the different celebrations that happen in December.  This includes Jewish, East Indian and Mexican and two others,  We were not allowed to take pictures.

Theresa relaxes a minute before having to pick up Mikie and then Ben.  Mickie has just come home.  Ben has taken the bus most of the way. He loves his soccer and sees all the bus riding as an adventure.  He will have to be taken to the bus early Wed. morning.  Theresa was up early doing school work.  She is raking a course in poetry.  She also works at a school with handicapped children.

They are part of a class but need continuous attention.  They are hyper and will try to escape from the classroom.

The kittens are delightful.

The mountains were spectacular but I cannot get a good picture,

They have a huge amount of snow.

Above is the view from Theresa's window.