THE PATH

                         

                             No this is not snow on my path but this is what is causing my allergies.

I had a short walk on this path as I wanted to go over and get my hair cut.  It is not as short as Sandra's but it is a lot shorter.  The girl who cut my hair is suffering the same cough as me and mentioned how tired it is making her.  She did go to the doctor and he did not give her anything but said take cough candies.

I also pass a lot of nice flower gardens.

I met an old friend at the store today and we had not had a visit together for awhile.  Of course we said we must get to-gather and I said yes do come over.  This evening as I was thinking about what is important to me as I travel on this path that is my life and I thought how important friendship is.  I gave her a phone call but she was not home.  I am trying to do things when I think about it.

So much of life seems to be good intentions!

I have been happy to be on the path I have chosen or my life,.  We try to do the best we can and the important thing is to keep going.

To-morrow we plan to visit another old friend who is failing and feeling very down.  

She has been a woman with lots of energy and lots of wisdom and a very good friend.

There is a time to receive and time to give.

Anyway I will continue on my path to-morrow.

There is a light that shines on us to help us find our way.

EXPERIENCES

We continue to learn through all our experiences.

Our family is a family of continuous learners.

Carol is off to school in Boston!

I am off to my study group at church to read about the experiences of those in scripture who have seen angels.  Abraham recognized the three men who stood near his tent as angels and believed one of them was actually God.  A God of the Old Testament who destroyed the wicked is ancient belief.  Your God or Gods could protect you from evil and and having one God was unique.

It is always fun to be with my group.  Lots of good story tellers. Lots of difference experiences.

The Biblical stories have been passed down through many generations by word of mouth to begin with.  The history of a nation was defined by the myths and stories of each generation.  It gave people meaning and moral truth that often was told through tough experiences.  These tales would give them courage and faith in times of diversity.  A tribe with a history and an identity and a religion.

Christians, Jews and Muslims all go back to the story of Abraham and Shara.

Each culture views it differently with differing experiences.

We are influence by our family and our community.

As the life of Abraham and Lot reveal to us in their experiences.

Abraham lied to protect his own life and let his wife Sarah be taken into the harem of the Pharaoh.

His deceit was exposed and she was returned

Lot was willing to give his daughters away to protect his life.

The angels saved the family.

This weak man had been called by God into a covenant relationship with a belief in one God, the father of all!

A difficult lesson to study but it helped to come together to read it with fresh eyes!

God is faithful even when we are not.

GLOOM AND DOOM

                      J guess the sun did not listen to the weather report it was suppose to shine today.
                                                Certainly a bit cooler.
                                    Dad goes for another bike ride again today. 
                                               Yes Carol has invited us for supper!

My asthmatic cough is a lot better if I keep using my inhaler.  I hope Rick's is starting to improve.  He is off to Calgary today.

Another day starts with a bit of pulling up weeds and talking with my neighbor Amy.  I could maybe give her some plants but will wait till Sandra comes.

Rebuilding a new sense of security is now a work in progress.  I am throwing out my journal of the past months where I dug deep into the pain of the past.  Page after page.  Word upon word.  Actually some of my best writing has been doom and gloom and despair!

I have leaned how precious it is to be loved just as you are.

I am also learning new ways to chase away doom and gloom.
Yes I am learning new ways to heal old wounds and they stay healed!

I've chosed the journal and thrown it away.

Love lives on!

SILENCE AND SIMPLICITY

A sunny day perfect for silence and resting.

The day ended perfectly as we sat and watched Morgan do her dances.  She was wonderful and looked so beautiful and so happy.  The costumes are simple and colorful.  The hip hop was runners and a plaid shirt and lots of actions.  It takes a few minutes to find Morgan amongst the enthusiastic and active dancers.

You can see that Morgan puts her heart into her dancing.

I had my camera but forgot to take a picture as we meet her in the lobby to give her hugs and flowers.

On the drive their to Abbottsford we stopped at the White Spot.  Dad's hamburger was pathetic but we had to make the best of it. 

I was coughing miserably so dad was all for returning home but I was determined.

The inhaler and an antihistamine and silent prayer helped me to be calm and quiet.

All is well that ends well.

Morgan you were terrific!

It was the best performance ever!

THE GOLDEN YEARS

                                          Nothing is achieved with out effort.  Every  in the golden years.

Sometimes it means taking a nap.
There is a reason there are 24 hours in a day
7 days in a week.

Sometimes it means asking for help
while making suggestions
or maybe not.

Taking time out to do something fun.
Like watching kittens play.
Talking to neighbors.
going out for lunch with an old friend,

Taking medicine when needed for pain.

It is perfectly acceptable to be imperfect.

Years ago when my health was failing and my condition undiagnosed
 I would do a little and rested a lot.
I seem to be back in that place now but it it is okay,

I know some 81 year old are very active
and it must be great.  On the other hand  I do not want to go back to the years
when I was over involved.  I am happy with a slower pace.

There has to be a reason for everything
although it can beyond our understanding.

There has to be a season to allow for change and growth.

I have a 94 year old friend who lives alone and her daughter is proud of her because she called the ambulance.  They got there before her daughter could come.  It was a heart problem.

We appreciated Sandra dropping for a visit after dropping two of the bigger kittens off.
Too bad it was raining so hard to do some gardening.

I hope the rain has cleaned the air of all that pollen that was floating about;
that should help my cough.

Cathy took us to the River Inn for lunch.  She is good company too.
Work has become stressful for her as they have made changes and
made the job harder to do and then there is a back load of work to do.
It was interesting to hear about her life.

It is good to be cheerful
but okay to be crabby.

THE GOOD LIFE

 Driving home from Carol and Panteli's after having supper with them.

Haiti is always excited to see us too!

 Yes Nancy we are enjoying the good life with family and friends.  We do have our good days and the odd not so good but I am sure thy happens to all of us.  Dad rides his bike most days and I do my morning walk every day.  We try to go out somewhere every day.  There always things that need to be done here but we do not hurry with anything.  We look after one another and share the cleaning and washing up.  Dad is cooking us scrambled eggs right now.

I hope Sandra will be able to help in the garden this week-end if it is sunny.

Carol has us over several times a week for supper where we visit with Kim and Ben and sometimes Sandra joins us.  Kim makes sure I get lots to eat.

Our old neighbor Cathy is going to take us out for lunch on Sat., she is a very thoughtful and kind person.  She joined us for a family celebration a few months ago and I think she would like to do that again.  There is only her and her mom now.

I am reminded how important each day is because you never know what is around the corner.
We have to work out problems the best way we can for us all.

Sunday Morgan has a dance recital in Chilliwack which we will be attending with Carol and Panteli.

Sunday morning our church has been invited to attend their church as some of us will be joining them when ours closes.  We have such dear friends there no one is looking forward to the change ahead.

In the past few months I have been encouraged o ask myself what I have learn ed and how can I grow stronger with the love that my family gives to me daily and also our friends.

I have done a lot of reading and it helps to see how others cope.

Prayer and writing in my journal has been very healing for me!

CRAZY

                                            I think putting things in pots is a good idea.

I think we are all a little bit crazy but the main thing is are we having fun.

I woke up to strange noises from dad's little portable radio and it refused to turn off.

I put my night cream on in the morning as I am too tired to do it at night.  So far the wrinkles are still there.

Dad is sitting in his shade deck, which he is crazy about, with his heating pad on his lap.

Driving around White Rock on a different approach I get lost but I still know when we are turning the wrong way.

My eyes seemed to have improved but I still put my glasses on till I realize I can see better without them.

Lot of pollen flying around and by afternoon my crazy cough is back.  Just when I think I am all better.  The inhaller really works good.  I just have to find it as it is in my purse which I cannot find at the moment.

I get a note in the mail thanking me for helping at the Strawberry Tea which I have not done for years.  The tea is on June 20 if anyone wants to go with us.  Tickets will go fast.

I could carry on but you get the idea.

I cannot make my comments work right now.
Sandra and Nancy I read your comment.

Nancy that was an awful crazy day.
Sounds like a beatiful new homw for you two.

TODAY

Tuesday we gathered at Carol and Paneli's for another

tasty supper.

Kim sends a smile to Hamlet

on their anniversary.

A day to remember with great joy!

"The past is a memory sealed into us,  To-morrow a mystery unknown to us,

and today is God's momentary gift to us-which is why it is called the present."

Ann Voskamp

Today dad and I took things easy.  He did some writing and I did some reading.  My alergies have 

Started acting up so gardening is not an opion.

I suggested that we drive to White Rock and eat out at Milesones and then I would visit my elderly friend Joan in the Nursing Home.  I was glad I did as it was her birthday and she was all dressed up with some new clothes.

So we all do little acts of kindness each day in our own way.

DIVERSIY

                                        This clematis at Carol and Panteli's house is beautiful.
                                             I am waiting for mine to bloom.
                                        Diversity is a good thing.  All our gardens are different.

A very wet and dreary day.  Plans to work in the garden were cancelled although I did get the lawn cut before the heavier rain started.

Our plans to visit the book store in Langley did not work out because dad did not feel up to it.
I had several books from the library to read and then walked over to the store.  Plans do not always work out but it is still good to try and plan.

I visited friends on the phone.  Some of us are still old fashioned.

We look at the world in many diverse and multifaceted ways.  Our children have their own personalities and gifts.  I am thankful that we can respect each other even when we do not always agree.

Unity is never about becoming the same even though we have similar goals and values.

I guess we all have to try and figure out what we are here for.

We all have a story to share.

NEW

                                                          My new happy flower!
                                                            Thanks Carol.

I wrote these words first thing this morning before going to church.  I had enjoyed my morning walk.

The message at church was about the words from scripture that promise God is making all things new from Revelations 21:5

I had been aware that I was feeling like a new person that had overcome the past.

I do not need to prove that I am worthy but instead I am living by the words of truth that come into my life each day.  Jesus modeled a life of rest and prayer, service and commitment.  His words,  words of wisdom,  that can speak into the heart of any religion and bring joy.

We each live by what we are choosing to make important in our lives.

Dad and I drove into to see Carol and Panteli and Kim.  Carol and Panteli left to play golf and it would be a perfet evenning for them.  Kim took time out from School work to have a visit.  We said hi to Hamlet by phone.

Each morning the sun makes the world seem new and fresh and wonderful.

DAY BY DAY

As I approached the bus stop there was an elderly man in a motorized wheel-chair.  I looked at him and said good morning.  He smiled and said good morning.  Our eyes met and he said take good care of those legs.  I smiled back and said I sure will.

Everyday is a challenge to try and keep healthy to eat right and get some exercise and also some rest.

I come home and all of a sudden I see a bunch of cobwebs that have been hiding but not any more.  The garden is over-grown and full of weeds.  I still have trouble telling the difference between a weed and a flower.  The grass needs cutting again and I do not even water it.  The pack patio is very messy with seeds from the cherry tree.  Dad and I tackle that together.

The cupboards are cluttered but they can wait for a rainy day.

I am reading Henri Nouven who says that healing often comes when we admit our needs and our brokenness.  I like to have a positive attitude but some days one feels overwhelmed and stressed.

"The best way to distress is to bless."  Ann Voskamp

Dad and i are fortunate we have each other and can take turns being a blessing.

He was not able to ride his bike today because he had a fall and hurt his leg. 

So day by day things get done but there is always more to be done to-morrow.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Thank you Caeol and Shandel

Your cards and letters have all arrived in perfect timing and have been an encouragement to me.  Also the phone calls on mother's day1

                                               We all need encouragement!

I have certainly been encouraged by the words and acts of kindness over these last few months.
There is a time to share our painful stories but there is a time to end the story with a happy ending.

Dad did vacuumed upstairs while I did downstairs and then went for a bike ride.  He has not been able to do that because of the rain and it does lift his spirits.

I am up early as usual and it is only me and the skunk that is over in the neighbors yard.  Actually it is very pretty from a distance.  Dad was up late writing a story on the computer, full of adventure I am sure.  I write best in the morning.

Happy to have a visit with Carol and Panteli on their way home from Kelowna.  They enjoyed their time together walking and seeing how things have changed there.

I will enjoy my new flowers.

I stop washing my kitchen floor to listen to a friend whose life is in a mess.  I am good at listening and wish I could do more but she realizes I cannot help get her car back from Chilliwack.  the phone calls kept coming so I gave up washing the floor.  O well there is tomorrow or even next week!

I encourage her that things will work out as they always do.

"When we are who we are called to be we set the world ablaze."  -St. Catherine.

We all like happy endings!

ANGELS

Received a lovely card in the mail from Mary and Chad with pictures of Sebastien and a drawing from Simmone.  Perfect timing as I started wondering when I woke up in the morning hos my day would be after being very sick at my stomack the night before.

Yes I believe in angels that are a paart of our daily lives and also angels that are unseen.

This is what we are studying about at our group at church.  About the appearances of angels in the stories in the Bible.

I had to make an effort to attend my study group.  Itis helpful when we share our personal stories and we can laugh about the mistakes we have made.  Yes, I felt grumpy and tired but it was good I went and I was thankful dad offered to drive.

MAY

Happy birthday to all the boys in May!  Chris, Cameron, and Justice!  !  !  Many memories!

No we have not seen Chris in years.

A picture off of Craig's phone.

 Many surprises.

Dad was invited to watch a hockey game on a big screen in Langley with Glen and his son Cole and Shawn Tavia's husband.  He was picked up by Cole who has grown to be a very handsome young man who took care to make sure dad did not have to walk too far when they arrived at the sports center.

Cole dropped him off at the door and they went up the elevator together.  They entered a big room  full of round table with round tables.  Glen offered to get dad some food from the smorgasbord but dad was not hungry.  They had a great conversation together while the other tables filled up.  Once the game appeared on the screen they stood and sang the national anthem with great enthusiasm.  

The game was between Prince Albert and Vancouver.  The cheering was loud and boisterous.  They yelled at the players and at the referees just as it they could hear.  The crowd was a mixture of families and a mixture of girls and boys.

Dad had a great time and was thrilled to be asked.  He had played in Prince Albert many times in his youth.

Today, Tuesday, we were surprised to have a visit from Craig and the girls.  They came right in and started looking for toys.

They both are adorable and we just love having them stop by but we realize that Craig and Leah are busy working.  They need more days off.

Craig is busy thinking about being a Green Party candidate.  What an honor.

They play well together until they want the same toy.  

Being a greatgrandma is a lot of fun!

                                                  It made the dull day full of sunshine!  !  !

May brings April showers which are very much needed.

TOGETHERNESS.

Thank you Ken and Rick for your phone calls that I listened to after we got back from Chillawack.

Thank you Randy for driving us to patiently through the traffic jam.

A bad accident on the highway going into town stopped all traffic and the cars came across the divide onto our road and cause a huge traffic jam.  It took over two hours instead of one hour.

Thanks Sandra for the card and promising help in my garden.

                                             Wow is that our daughter.

Thanks Kim for the cookies.

Thanks Carol for the flowers that are coming.

                                                                 Thanks Ben and Moran for running up and down stairs and for the rhubarb desert!

Nice to see everyone.

Togetherness

Five of us all packed into Randy's car!

We all all young in heart.

We love to party, laughing and talking.

We love to garden, to read books and to help others!

We buy things we do not need and we end up with clutter.

Theresa is leading the way and uncluttered.

We love to eat and sometimes overdo it.

We are learning together.

We value the star dust that is hidden in us all.

Love has keep us together and revels we are all just human.

                                     I am so proud and thankful for each one of you.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! !

   

                                         I certainly am a happy and very thankful mother.
I hope Rick is feeling a bit better.  We all will miss Ken and Melina and their family.  I do not know if is mother's day in Melbourne.  If it is I hope Melina has a great day and is spoilt by all.

We did not go to church today because it would tire me out and I want to be well rested to be with the family in Chilliwack.  Hamlet will have left to fly back home already.  Always difficult to say good-by

I remember the one mother's day I gave the sermon in church.  I was very nervous.  Rick came with us.

I am so thankful for all my children and my grandchildren and my great grandchildren.  They have brought me much happiness and many happy memories.  Eating and talking and laughing together.

I have leaned lately that even bad memories can be transformed by love!

Happy mother's day to all the mother's in my family.

Tasha we will miss you and Justice and I know Justice will play a great game of basketball.

Thank you Cameron for the phone call.  Very thoughtful!

ART

                                            Dad and Kim looking at the art displays.
                                      Kim has been working with this children all week.
                      They could choose their own subject and present information about their subject.

Every subject imaginable.  From the river of tears, Terry Fox, the need for better bathrooms for the handicapped, Boundary Bay airport, the depression years etc.

The writer of Anne of Green Gables too.

Dad and I were a bit late getting to the art displays but they were amazing.  The young people so knowable and willing to answer all our questions.  We met Carol and Hamlet there and of course Kim had been there early in the day to help set up.

Kim and Hamlet had run in the sack race before we got there.  No they did not win.

A very enjoyable day and thankfully a little cooler.

Looking forward to mother's day on Sunday at Theresa and Mikie's.

Now time for Heartbeat! !

ADJUSTMENTS

An old picture found.

We have had to make many adjustments over the years.

Drove to beach on our way to visit Kim and Hamlet.

So many wonderful memories of the children and us at this beach.

Kim and Hamlet provide an excellent meal for us with barbecue salmon. done just right.

Carol is keeping busy doing volunteer work and Panteli working at the college.

Both are taking lawn bowling and golf lessons and busy gardening.

Ben has the good news that he has made the final cut for the soccer team.

He has worked hard and put his heat and soul into it.

Morgan will be performing at a dance competition.  She loves to dance.

Theresa enjoying freedom from her studies. 

Kim will be at the open house on Sat. with the children she has been volunteering with.

Back to class on Monday.

Hamlet has been learning to drive a gear shift.

Sandra and Randy still feeding kittens.

Tasha will be spending mother's day watching Justice in his basketball tourament in Surrey.

We are finding that as we grow older there are many new adjustments to be made.  We have slowed down.

My emotions have been up and down over the last few months but I have now adjusted and am coming into a period of grace!  I was mad at God and the whole world that but  this prevented God.s healing presence from filling me with peace and security.

I am thankful that my angry feelings are done.

Some memories are best forgotten.

"Conscience (the inner voice with us) is the deepest secret of our vitality."

Jean Vanier

Thank you for the mother's day card Rick with all the kind words!

FRIENDSHIP

Our friendships are so important to us.  Aneta came and walked with me today and she has not been doing that much since she moved into her apartment.  Later this evening Jane gave me a call and we shared some humorous stories just like he old days.

Often when I find an author I really like they become like friends.  I have been reading a book by Jean Vanier who writes books that you can ready time and time again.  Sadly he passed away yesterday but he was 90 years old.  He gave his life to the handicapped people who he lived with and he rescued them from the mental hospital where they were often put in years past. 

I believe that God intervenes in our lives often through our friendships.  Often a friend will come or drop by just when you need someone to talk to.

Dad phoned up Hamlet to see if he would like to go to the driving range to hit golf balls.  He and Carol met him at the little gold course over by us and then they came here for a bite to eat and have a visit.  It was so good they did as dad was feeling very bad as he cannot swing a golf club any more without losing his balance.  He was looking forward to maybe do some golfing with our neighbor Gordon.

   "Praying means transforming our own heats."  -Jean Vanier.

"No one should suffer feelings of insignificance inferiority." - J Vanier

My journal is full of his quotes but I am making a lot of mistakes so it is time to stop writing.

DELIGHTFUL

Carol leaves after bring us all dinner.  Great job Carol!  Thanks Kim and Hamlet for the wine.

We arrive and find everyone upstairs feeding kittens.  Great job Sandra and Randy and Kim.

This is the cat's room,

This is mummy cat who has taken care and fed her own little ones and feeds the new little ones.

Sandra looking happy and relaxed.

Hamlet helps preparing the Mangoes.

Randy looking happy.

I was reminded once again how much we need one another
and how delightful to be together..

Sorry to hear that Rick has been so sick with a chest cold.

I have found in life that healing takes time
and we all have our good days and our bad days.

What a delightful and inspiring group.  Music has the power to transform and heal us.