REFLECTIONS

It is not often I want to be in two places at once but on Sunday morning I did want to go to church, until I found out Ben was playing another game and dad and I do like to support him and Mikey.  Mikey is still in a lot of pain with his back and it is really hard for him to have to be sitting there, so at least some of the family can be there with him.

Dad also is having pain in his feet and he agreed to use  the walker and the little seat to go to the second game on Saturday.  Actually he had ridden his motor-bike over,  after we left in the car,  but could not find Ben's game with so many games going on.

I am fortunate to feel secure in my faith that where ever I am,  the sense of the spirit of God can be with me.  I love to sing and learn from scripture but just not today. 

I like the definition of faith as an openness to truth which allows me the freedom from a strict adherence to church attendance or to dogma as a set of beliefs. 
We have all heard the words I can be closer to God in nature than in church which has some merit.  I know that taking time to enjoy the beauty of my garden and our woods and has been healing for me.  I also know a simple prayer reminds me of the love that flows in and around us all.

What makes a place holy?  Does God create it to be or is it our human nature?  How can a mountain be sacred for three different religions?  A small and humble place, like a closet entered in faith, is a sacred place for me.  That it is why it is important to have an uncluttered closet!

One of the most important things we can do is to love our neighbor not fight for the right to be where we think is our right to be.

The faith that comes out of a simple minded and generous heart is a blessing to all.

So I am off to see these young boys and girls play with courage and determination and we can cheer for both sides!

THE GAME

A perfect day for the tournament.  About 10 fields all busy with soccer games going on.  Big traffic jam trying to get onto the parking lot and then finding a parking spot looked hopeless.

I was with Carol and Panteli. dad's feet too painful. and we parked a long way from the field where he was playing but actually only a quick walk.

Ben had a shut out and the score was 3 to 0.

He even had to stop a penalty shot which is very hard to do,.

Ben and Mikie came over after the game and we had a enjoyable visit!

Now it is off to another game at 4.

Dad comes to second game.  A tied game Ben saved the game all agreed.

HOW

How can I help?

Listening to the radio and reading the newspaper the stories are heartbreaking of the refugees trying to escape from war and violence.

Maybe the picture of the wee boy lying dead on the beach will stir up some needed response.  The problem then becomes how can we help?

We live in a world of beauty and grace but also ugliness and bitterness.  I know that if I am to take the words of Jesus into myself I must believe they were spoken from the heart.  I know the United Church of Canada takes social justice issues very seriously and will be involve in raising money or works of action to help in this situation. 

I believe that the sense of community helps us to be of some help.  Part of being human is seeing the needs of others and trying to respond by bring light and hope as we reach out to rescue those dying to be able to be free.

Something I take so much for granted.

Friday night Tavia and her husband came for a visit.  She is radiant as she is expecting again and I know her faith would be how she coped with the lost of her first baby.  It is good these girls keep in touch and we do enjoy their visits!

 Dad and Panteli on their new sundeck.  He was working hard when we arrived and dropped off Haiti.

I walked down to the little duck lake which was a long walk for me.  Luckily dad came and picked me up.  Day by day!

WHATEVER

What ever may be may be  -  the future is not ours to see!
We sang as we raced to catch the ferry to Salt Spring.

The morning started out calm and quiet and even when Kim and Theresa were talking on the phone I was only half listening.  Plans were timed down to the exact moment for Kim to pick up Theresa and Morgan at the Langley bus stop and then on to catch the ferry.  The first hitch came when the battery on Kim's car was dead and she had to use our car.
They arrive back at our house to transfer Kim's luggage to dad's car and then dad would drive them to the ferry.  Dad sits wondering is if will work.






Soon our car was loaded up and the race to the ferry began.


We all get in the car as Morgan sits happily by  as she is    uses to plans changing.
These great grand children are growing up so quickly!

One by one  they race into the terminal building.







We drop them off and carry on to take Haiti home to Carol and Panteli and then it is another quick trip to deliver the milkshake and visit one of my old friends from Colebrook who now resides there too.  Both were very happy for the visit.

Home to get a message from Shawna and Stephen on our I-phone of Lincoln opening his birthday present from us.  Amazing how these pictures can be sent.

Dad and I are now happily watching tennis and football and finding it a struggle to keep awake.
We are now back in the slow lane after our fast trip back in the fast lane of the young! 

Ben plays soccer on Sat. so we will be there.

LOTS OF LAUGHTER

A day of laughter and silliness.

Driving home from the airport over bridges through traffic jams with dark threatening clouds on one side and glorious sunshine escaping from the dark to shine upon our happy little car with Kim and Haiti both faces shining with joy and I am sure if Kim had a tail it would be waging as much as Haiti's.

My day started with me burning the toast and frightening  dad out of bed.  "What's burning?"

Then off to a ladies meeting at the church   a noisy happy group totally out of control and ignoring our chairperson who was attempting to make some future plans.  We did decide that we would plan a fun outing just to have fun!

I had carried my fruit plate in only to discover I had mislaid my purse.  I looked in the library and down the hall in Lee's office but it was no where to be found.  Yes, it finally dawned on me I had left it in the car.

Sandra informed us at lunch she had received a card with no hand written note inside.  That is strange I agreed who would do such a thing?

This morning I went outside and the raccoons had neatly taken the bricks off the top of our compost garbage can and dragged it to the side of the yard and managed to get inside and pull some messy garbage all over.

I am sure they did it with glee knowing they had out-smarted us!

Today I walk with Haiti and Kim.  Haiti will be going back to Carol's and Panteli's which makes me a little sad as I thought she would be here while Kim goes to Salt Springs to visit her dad Ron and Donna.

Walking with the two of them will be fun and I will enjoy every moment!

THE FAST LANE.

So many people going here and there this week-end it feels like a fast lane.

Drove into The River Inn to have lunch with Sandra for her birthday.  Very enjoyable.

Then into the airport to pick up Kim.  Haiti was very excited to see her as we were. 

Carol came by after work and brought cornmeal muffins and a fantastic salad!

The week-end includes trips to Salt Springs for Theresa and kids and Kim and I believe Oliver will be there too.

Ben has a soccer tournament on Sat. and Sun. which we plan to attend.

I am now moving back into the slow lane and heading off to bed.  A wonderful day!

BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday Tasha and Sandra!

This is not a year of big birthday bashes  for anyone and this seems not to be  a worry for anyone.  It frees up individuals to celebrate in their own time and place.  We have had lots of parties over this past year thanks to Sandra and Carol and Kim!

Birthdays were not a big production in my growing up years.
I do not remember presents and parties but always a birthday cake and a present from mom an dad and usually one sent out from England by dad's sisters.  This when I was younger was a fancy beautiful dress and would occasion thank-you letters sent immediately.

Now that we have young people like our daughters and granddaughters planning parties can be fun.

It would be fun to journey to the lake to take part in Lincoln's.  Hard to believe he will be two.

I try to remember birthdays with a card but sometimes remember too early or too late.

I am very vulnerable right now knowing that any deterioration in either my health or dad's will mean changes.  I feel that we should do our best to be healthy and I am thankful for the good health we have right now.

Megan arrived right on time from her work and got right to work doing the windows.  Between dad and myself we keep things pretty clean.  Anyway clean enough for me.

Anyway we have each been given the gift of life and there is no one just like you or me.  My life will never be lived by anyone but me.  Life seems to me to be racing by and although our past has some influence on our here and now it is not to be lived over and over.  I grew up in a time of worries for my parents.  My dad's concern was the war and his family in England and my mom was worried about her sister who had to go through a painful divorce. 

Worry comes natural to me but my main thing is to live my life now in a way that matters.