THE VIEW

The view from our corner  window in the Sylvia was breathtaking.  It was like being far away in a different time and place.  We met another lady who had been coming there for years, she was younger than us, and had a joyous personality.  Many of the customers are older and we seem to fit in, and regulars like us.  We are extremely fortunate to be able to enjoy days like this together.  We have both known very, very busy day when there seemed very little time to relax.  I know looking after four children was a handful for me.  Dad had his work and all his other involvements.

Life for me is now about enjoying the view and watching my great grandchildren grow up and enjoying my children and grandchildren.  I love it went a grandchild says come play with me because i get to play again.  I love reading stories because they are so funny and can be read over and over again. 

Yes I grew up viewing the world as a Christian and although I admire other religions I do not think there is any other  faith where the love of God is expressed so vigorously.

 A mystic can see into the heart of all religions while the intellect struggles with them all.

The philosophy behind all religions invades the lives of those who would deny they are believers; and because it does they can be better persons than many of us who profess to believe.  Faith shines through in all the little things we do; from caring about our friends to caring about animals.

I have absorbed many fascinating  ideas through through reading and studying and I try to live out my faith with loving forgiveness.  Love and forgiveness are woven into my soul because I am aware of how often I offend others; some times without meaning to.

We need both the intellect and the mystic to see the whole picture.

CAMERA AT WORK

ADVENTURE

It must be wonderful to still be young enough to start out on new adventures.  I am always being amazed at all my children and the things they accomplish and the things they plan for their futures.  I am content to find my adventures in reading which gives me happiness that mixes with the joy of being with my family.

Not so good news about Sandra who has a disintegrating disk in her neck causing numbness in her arm and hand.  Could be from a car accident a while back.  My prayer is that she will improve.  Maybe there is something that can help.  There is also the worry about Randy's mom who had to be taken to the hospital by his dad still recovering from Colon surgery with pain in her ovary.  Waiting for news.

Theresa made us an awesome supper last night for Carol's last night here.  We had a good time talking and the children had fun as usual with Lego and stickers.  Morgan loves the little place under the stairs where I hid a few little treasures in a basket and she had great fun looking at each one.  Ben had a chess game with grandpa but I do not know who won.

Theresa headed off to Chilliwack about 9 and we drove Carol to Richmond to meet Panteli who would take her to the airport.  Good-byes are so very sad and Morgan sobbed her heart out and did not want to let go of Grandma Panteli.

I am very tired this morning and I think dad is as well.  We were so delighted to see his blog printed and I like reading it much better that way in a book form.  What a great story teller he is!  My printed blog is to arrive today but I am more philosophical in my search for meaning in my life.

I am reading the biography of Huston Smith who grew up in China with missionary parents and found his career to be one of researching many religions.  I see Christianity as very much a thinking person's religion that in this generation has to be open to scientific revelation as well as the mystical beauty that is hidden all around us.  I would agree that Jesus did not come to start a new religion, although he was critical of religion, but wanted to make each one of us open to the creative energy within us. 

Faith is a belief in ourselves and in the goodness of God and in the desire to serve others.

DAD'S BLOG ARRIVES

He is very happy and excited and so am I.

SUNRISE

My attempt at the sunrise.  It turned out a fairly nice day.  Good enough to do a little clean up in the garden which really needs it.  Also made sone cookies for me with glutin-free oats and raisins.  Hard work this mixing and measuring.  I am just craving all the things I shouldn't have for some strange reason.

Carol is dropping by about six amd so are Theresa and Ben and Morgan.  Come by if you like.

Dad has been watching the news about Egypt and the weather news here and in Australia.  Sure a lot of unrest and stormy weather.  Today looks glooming and rainy maybe a good day to visit the library!

"Love is the Smile you hold in your heart"  by Monica Sheeban   A book for me and Morgan to share.

Sadness comes to us all; sometimes it is for ourselves and sometimes it is for others.  Lomeliness and longings wrap around us like the fog and we cannot see any light.  Life changes and we have to change too and my hope is in the tender recreative love of God.  My garden will bloom again.

Storms do die down and the work of rebuilding starts.  The peaceful riots which have turned ugly will eventually end and hopefully there will be good changes in that country where many are poor and hopeless.  Freedom they say is worth giving your life for.  Isn't that why we fight wars?  Is that the message of the dross upon which Jesus died?

Just a little light gives me hope!

CHILDREN

Children see things differently from us.  One reason I love being with children.  The spiritual awareness that I had as a child was a great blessing for me.  I read about the Sedin Twins as children having to go down to the basement for their mom and how it kept them in shape as their older brother timed them.  I too was sent down the basement to get things like potatoes and I remember how dark and scary it was.  I would go quickly because I was frightened.  My brother would of course tease me.

I have had to learn to live with some of my fears and in doing so in some ways have become a stronger person.

Dad and I both did are good deeds yesterday.  Dad took Tavia out to lunch to the beach and to a Greek restaurant and it was a beautiful sunny day and they had a good visit.  I went to see my neighbor who is still having inner ear problems and does not see the specialist until the 15.  She had put her coat on to go to the Safeway then got very dizzy again.  I offered to go with her but she just did not feel up to it.  I left when her daughter phoned and because it was a nice day I walked down to the Save-On-Foods to get the new bread for celiaxs.  I would have loved a ride home but I believe if I keep walking I will feel stronger again.  I am so thankful that I can walk because I do get depressed if I cannot and it was very disheartening when it used to make me cough.

"Love is not something to be done, but rather a pure state of being, lived in truthfulness."  Theresa of Avila

The doctor asked me if I was being truthful with myself and I really did not know how to answer.  I do know that I am determined to keep up my walking.  Determined sounds better than stubborn.  I need to listen to my own voice and be willing to change some of the things that I want to do my way.

Wondering if we will see Carol again before she leaves, she is busy doing last minute things.

ICE

We have so much to be thankful for.  This is the ice on my pond while there is a huge snow blizzard and ice storm going through the States.  There are countries having polictical unrest and others with poverty and no health care.  We are so lucky to have our health care.  I can have my blood checked and my x-rays done with no cost to me.