WRITING AND READING

Two of the greatest joys in my life are reading and writing. What I read is like the reflection in the water, it has an influence on my life. The books I choose also reveal who I am allowing to speak into my life; to stir up my imagination, to have a voice in my thoughts. I can experience life through the ideas expressed by the author and even put myself into the story. There have been great efforts by rationalist philosophers to encompass the vastness of the human experience to present us with a very human view of the world. We find truth in paradox's that for me leads me accept the challenge of suffering and inequality of life with faith in and trust "in the apparent randomness that the Creator presents us with".

As I look back on the celebration of this past mother's day I have had an abundance of joy in talking to and being with family. I, like all mothers miss those who are not able to be with us. My thoughts go to Tasha and Justice who have now disappeared from our family for reasons we do not know. It is not an easy thing to become part of a family where people get to know the real you, with all your quarks and quirks.

The Biblical narrative gives us a prospective on a community of believers, or I should say a nation, who acted as one in straying and returning time and time again to the voice of God who spoke to them in the wilderness. I have found comfort in their stories and yet the Biblical narrative is not enough for me in this complicated world of change. As we grow older we find change harder. The pain in our modern world is the same and yet different than the Biblical reality so that truth has to be bigger and more encompassing.

MOTHER'S DAY

Sunlight lights up the path and casts beautiful shadows.

Beside the greatness of this old three one feels very small but amazed hos great nature is in creating majestic wonder in all of us.

Time stands still and happiness waits to embrace us in this moment.

Beth a life being lived

WATER SHED MEMORIES
I have wonderful memories of the times I have walked through this park with different family and friends and when I walk there I
feel the presence of those who have been there with me in the past.
I hope that others will walk with me when they come for a visit or when they have time. I look forward to this!


A good day for new good memories and lots of laughs with my family. A picnic should be great fun and the day as turned out well. So happy that Mary has arrived although she came on a late flight. Sandra and Mary leave for Edmonton on Tuesday. Mary is coming over to-morrow morning to go on a walk with dad and I.

I am taking a salad under protest cause I think my presence should be enough lol. But there is always lots of food. Mikie and Theresa, Ben and Morgan will be there as well as Mikie's parents. Carol will also join us and Ben will bring his lacrose sticks. Dad likes to play with him.

I had better get out and water my new plants and plant my new seeds with my new gardening tools. Then off to church and to celebrate with everyone.

I am very thankful I had one of the best mom's ever! We did not say "I love you" very much but I know I was loved! Love is very real but life can be so difficult that at times we act in unloving ways because we love. I pray that healing will come to each one of us in any area we may feel sad or wounded. There is a loving spirit that surrounds us and fills us and heals and restores us. There is a spirit that helps us when believing is hard for those who may deep down feel an unlovableness which some days I do. So I can only write from my experience!

To all my family I would say you have been an inspiration to me. You have accomphished more than I ever did and again I say I am very proud of the goodness I see in your hearts and in your lives.

We all have a special place in each other's hearts. Love you all!

OHHHHH mom

If you live long enough this is what you will hear your children say "meaning not again or don't be silly etc." Contrary to what they may believe I am still a wise old bird with lots of spunk and feathers!

Last night the Canucks lost and this morning there are lots of critics saying what they did wrong. Actually I have a few good ideas like at the beginning of the first period take control of the puck and do not let them shoot on the goalie and do not get penalises and control your temper. Anyway we all want something to cheer about and hopefully the next game will be a winner.

This morning as I was reading and thinking I realized that one of the great things that Jesus changed was the idea that faith was community something one was born into and one just went along with the religious ideas they were born into. Hey, they were the Jews man and they had God on their side.

Jesus said You gotta make your own choices to be a believer or not and each one of us is an individual with freedom to come into our own awareness of God. He gave us the gift of his spirit to soften our hearts and open our minds to the truth that is hidden in his words and teachings.

I get an idea but it is hard to put it just so that it comes out right.

"Paradox's and sufferings challenge our faith but they can lead us out of ourselves into a world that needs compassion." author unknown.

MOTHERING

Desirae is one of the five girls that I helped their mom Cathy to look after. We are thankful for their visits and love to hear how they are all doing. One by one they are going through school and college and hopefully one day share their hearts with someone that really cares for them.

Desirae is now an auntie to Ava's little boy Yuri adored by the whole family. With their help Ava will be able to return to University.


We are so thankful for Theresa and Mikie, Mary and Michael John, Shawna and Stephen, Cameron and Shandel, Kim and Mike that are very happy in relationships now. I do not know about some of our other grandchildren.

Being a mom is a tough job and I am glad that I feel like my children appreiciate me all through the year not just on one day! But the extra special attention does my heart good. I hope my granchildren spoil their mom's and for those who are far away know the next hug will be a big one.

LOVING SONS @ LOVING DAUGHTERS

Early gifts for me for mother's day! I seem to be earning the role of gardener with the garden tools, seeds and gloves in my surprise package and my card. Good choices!I am thankful for the help I get especially from Sandra.

I became a mother when we washed out the diapers and hung them out on the line every day. Everyday except Christmas and sometimes even then. If it was raining we had a hanging rack that we pulled down from the ceiling to dry nappies on. Very busy days with the four of you so young. Dad was extremely busy with work and all the other things he got involved in like being a volunteer fireman, going to council meetings, playing hockey etc.

I was young and I suppose in some ways we grew up together. Home is where we learn the tough rules of life, hopefully we learn to help and to care for each other and to forgive many times over.

Mother's Day is a happy time for me as I remember all the things we did together. It makes all those sleepless nights and trips to hockey and soccer games, doctors appointments and school interviews all worth while! There was also ballet lessons and swimming lessons too. There were the times when you were sick and needed some extra care which I was happy to do. The many meals and lunches that I prepared for you all. I am so glad to know that you can cook for yourselves and for others. Now that you know what it takes to be a parent you know it is very demanding. We have to balance that with what is going on in our own lives. You have experienced difficulties that I have not but we make the best of life that we can.

What part does the hand of fate play in our lives? I do not know.

I am proud of you and your sisters! You are all very loving to dad and I!

After our visit with Desirae yesterday morning I had a nap and then dad and I took a walk into the lush greenness of the silent forest. We are so thankful to have such a beautiful peaceful place to walk and take our lunch when it gets warmer. There are things we would like to do; like travel to Edmonton or Kingston or Australia but that may just be a dream. We have not made it to Victoria or to Salt Spring and it is not because we do not want to but the energy is just not there. We are doing our best to stay healthy and that is our gift to you all!

THE POTTER

A DAY OF LAUGHTER
Laughed and talked with Jane on the phone in the morning; then dad and I walked down to Zellers to have coffee with Shirley and Elsie. It is so good that dad can do some walking now. After lunch and a rest I dropped by to see my neighbor Rossanna who is very lonely but the wonderful thing was we laughed together. She gave me some little lights from the dollar store to put in my garden. She likes going in the dollar store and finding fun things. Her home is full of beautiful antiques yet she enjoys these little lighted flowers.

In home group we talked about God being the potter and we are the clay. God is shaping my life into something beautiful and useful, maybe like fine china or maybe a small jar. God has a design in mind as He molds us and I could sense His humour in the room as we laughed together.

I have always liked that scripture of God as Creator and artist and the One who never gives up. We talked about times in our lives that we have felt broken and how God transforms us from an ugly blob of clay to something beautiful. We are all so different and unique and we are in the hands not of an angry God but a master designer.

I was not laughing as your dad, the mad computer nut, climbed into bed with his lap top. I am trying to fall asleep even though it is annoying me. This lap top watches T.V. with us and I wonder if the novelty will wear off. Why cann't he be like me and go to bed with a book and quietly read and drop off to sllep as the book falls to the floor!

I clicked on something called followers and I do not think I should have done that. Help me somebody!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS

Our hard working grandson getting stronger with all the heavy loads he is carrying.
Our only form of communication is now on face-book as he seldom has phone minutes.
Like all our grandchildren they are busy with their own lives and their own friends.
We enjoy a visit when it works out.