I'm Blessed

Today I just happened upon a Kindle sale on a book I've been wanting for so long, but never wanted to pay full price for.  Some may say it was a coincidence that I checked a seldom-used app and came upon a post about this sale. I'd say it was providence. 

To Bless The Space Between Us speaks of the importance and means of blessing others. Who wouldn't want to give and receive words of hope, light,  and healing as they journey through life? 

In the light and reverence of blessing, a person or situation becomes illuminated in a completely new way. In a dead wall, a new window opens, in dense darkness a path starts to glimmer, and into a broken heart healing falls like morning dew. It is so ironic that so often we continue to live like paupers though our inheritance of spirit is so vast. The quiet eternal that dwells in our souls is silent and subtle; in the activity of blessing it emerges to embrace and nurture us. Let us begin to learn how to bless another. Whenever you give a blessing, a blessing returns to enfold you. 

                                                                John O'Donohue 

Hurry Up and Wait

 5:30 am and we wake up to the phone alarm. We quietly prepare to leave the peaceful holiday property where we have spent several weeks with extended family. The first ferry off the small northern Gulf Island leaves at 7:50 am. You would think we'd be guaranteed to catch it, since it's only a twenty minute drive. The last few years, however,  many people leave their cars in the line up the night before to ensure they catch that first ferry. But, even so, there's no guarantee that everyone will make it. 

6:00 am We're navigating the winding, tree lined road.  A deer on the roadside raises its head as it ponders pronging across the road.  It's early and no other cars are in sight. 

6:25 am We arrive at the ferry terminal, turning left onto the sloped road that leads right down to the ferry. Approximately 30 cars are pulled over on the right shoulder of the road. We are about three or four cars away from boarding certainty. So, I  prepare myself to enjoy the wait until 9:50 am, the next ferry run. 

We miss the ferry by three cars. My son and his family are in front of us, and they miss it, too. Another two hours of waiting. They have three small children. But thankfully, to the two older children, this is an adventure! 

9:50 am We board the small ferry. Yay! 

10:30 am We arrive at the HB Ferry Terminal, disembark and drive for ten minutes to the next ferry. Will there be a long line up again? Yep. We miss the ferry by two cars.  Another hour of waiting..  I stand in line at the little takeout and order a latte. We sit at a picnic table and people watch. 

11:30 amWe board the ferry for the fifteen minute crossing to Vancouver Island. 

11:50 am We arrive in the small town of Campbell River and drive to the local retirement home to have a little visit with my 92 yo mother in law.  She will have been waiting for us for probably an hour. She values being on time! Sure enough, she is sitting outside the building, patiently waiting for us. She meets her 7 month old great grandson for the first time. We take photos. Smile, chat, hugs. Then we are off again. These visits are never long enough, but hubby is returning in a couple of weeks to have a longer visit with her. 

12:30 pm  We hop into our truck and head out of town, taking the inland highway southward. This is not the scenic route. It's the 'get me to the ferry as quick as possible' route. 

We are no longer in Island holiday mode. I can feel the buzz of hurry returning to my body. Now it's a game of constantly checking our phones for ferry updates. Which ferry will we get? Which terminal should we use (there are three on the Island).  

3 pm  As we near Nanaimo, the electronic billboards keep us posted on percentage of filled ferries in the car and truck categories. It looks unlikely we'll make the 3:15 pm ferry. Sure enough, the next possible ferry will be 6:15 pm, but it's almost full, so 8:15 pm  is likely. That could be a five hour ferry wait! The other ferry on the outskirts of town is also close to full. We decide to carry on for a two hour drive to the Victoria terminal.  It offers ferry trips almost every hour in the evening. We consider that it may be our best chance of catching a 6 pm ferry. So, off we go...at least this part of the island is more scenic. 

5 pm We arrive at the Schwartz Bay ferry terminal, and it looks like there's a good chance we will make the 6 pm.

6 pm YES!! We drive onto the ferry! 

8 pm We discuss whether to stay overnight at relatives or carry on for another four hours...   I don't know why we decide it's a good idea to carry on.... "I just want a shower and my own bed", he says. 

12 am After four hours of night driving through busy traffic, myriad of road construction sections, single lanes with lines of traffic cones to navigate,  driving mountain passes, being flashed consistently by the vehicle driver behind us, pulling over on a highway with a very narrow shoulder, and realizing our camper door had opened and was swinging wildly while we were driving 120 km/hour in the dark, thanking this person who persisted in warning us (and thanking God nothing slid out of our camper!!)... after all this, we arrive at home.sweet.home.

12:05 am  He punches in the code to our electronic door lock. Nothing. Nada. The batteries are dead. We can't get in to our home. There is a framed glass door separating us from our bed and shower. No, we don't have a key hidden outside somewhere. Why would we need that?  ;)  

12:15 am We crawl into our camper and our heads hit the pillow. We sleep like logs, dead to the world and this crazy travel day. 

7 am We wake up and decide to mow some lawns and do some weeding while we wait for my son and his family to get home with keys (we live in a suite in their house). I make brunch in the camper. 

1:30 pm The door is unlocked. We are HOME! Home Sweet Home. 

In a perfect world, I'd always take my time getting to and getting home from our destination. I enjoy drives. I enjoy site seeing. But not everyone sees it that way. I'm usually the passenger, not the driver. He likes to just get there already. I get that. 

Nevertheless, I have determined that I will not be traveling for 18 hours straight to get home next year! 

What were we thinking? 

The person who said 'Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life' was on to something. (Dallas Willard) 

Thursday 13- the Gift Edition

How can it be Thursday already?! December 27 at that!

Did you have a wish list this Christmas, or maybe you just added items to one that was only in your head. Did you  walk into a store shopping for someone else, and then spot something and think "I'd like that!" Yes, that was me. I refrained from actually buying for myself, though (although my hubby and I were shopping and he bought me something on the spot!) 

Gift giving and receiving has come and gone. I so enjoyed watching my little  20 month old grandson help to open presents this year. I think he enjoyed that more than the actual gifts he received!

For this Thursday Thirteen, I've decided to list 13 things I have already that I am very thankful for.. gifts that weren't under the tree. It puts things in perspective when we all sometimes get caught up in the "I really wanted" or "I wish I had received" vortex.

1. Running Water. When I turn on the tap in the kitchen, both hot and cold water are available.

2. My Kitchen. One that most would agree 'needs an update'.

3. Kitchen Gadgets.More than I need.

4. Friendly Neighbours. I actually do have a neighbour I can call at anytime and I know she'd be there to help out, if needed.

5. Safe Transportation.

6. A warm cozy bed to fall into each night.

7. My sweet little pet, Enzo.

8. Health Care when I need it.

9. A family that loves and cares for me.

10. Wonderful children and their loved ones.

11. The internet - keeping up with friends and family!

12. More food than we need.

13.  Our public library - so many books, so little time

The books are coming!

I've been on a sort of book binge lately. I received a generous Amazon gift card from my previous employer when I moved on to other adventures at the end of June. To me Amazon equates books, even though I could order so many other items,  and so I began loading up my cart, looking for both new and used good reads. I finally clicked on 'checkout' and now I'm happily awaiting the mail carrier each day to see if there's another package to open.

Here is one I received this past week. The Power of a Praying Grandparent by Stormie Omartian is  a book of encouragement and prayers to remind me to pray consistently for my grandchildren (one dear little boy and one on the way so far!). It reminds me to focus on encouraging my son and his wife as they start out their parenting adventure. I remember how exhausting it can be with little ones and it's such a huge responsibility (and a privilege) to raise children. These days there are so many more waters to navigate with our ever changing times, including the explosion of the internet. It seems we had an easier time in some ways.

Becoming a grandparent was one of the happiest days of my entire life, and I want to be the best I can be and a force for good in my grandchildren's lives. My mom has been a great role model, of which I am so thankful!

We are promised that our prayers won't return void. God is always working, even though we may not see it or feel it. And so I will continue to pray!

"Having a grandchild is to forever have your heart walk around outside your body" 

~Praise~

I missed Friday's Five Minute Freewrite, so here are a few photos to celebrate Fall instead. I praise God for the autumn season. 

 all photos property of  anetac

The Year That Was

Here we are... looking out over a vast space with no idea what is going to transpire in the next twelve months. Every year is like that.

I guess you could also say it's like being handed an unopened gift, but one that can only be examined one little bit at a time. No tearing and ripping into it.  Not until the end of the year are we able to look back and give an opinion on the year that was.

The year that was...
As I was journalling one day, I wrote an entry called Life and Death in 2017. Because it really was the year of life and death. Literally and figuratively. To sum it up,  it was a VERY HARD YEAR. And yet, it held some of the biggest joys of my life, too. Life is like that.

Truth be told, when it's hard, we really find out what we really believe and where we really put our trust and hope. We find out how important our community is. We are thankful for little things. We keep telling ourselves the truth. We take less for granted and we hold more tightly to things we value (and they're not really usually things). We know how fleeting life is. We only have today. Who knows what tomorrow brings?

My 'mantra' for 2017 was "Always, we begin again". It was so apt for me. I'm going to take that into 2018 as well, because I think it's a life saver. We can't look back and dwell on regrets or missteps. Yes, we can learn, but in the end, we begin again. Take what we've learned and move ahead. Begin again.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Next post: One Word 2018

Life goes on...

Sometimes life seems a bit.... grey.

Lately, the days here seem to be more cool and grey than the hot and sunny we usually enjoy in these parts. It does not feel like summer is a week away!

In addition to that, I'm spending a lot of time on the computer, working to finish up the year. That's not always too much fun, especially when I feel I have better things to do!

And then,  sometimes I just get in my head too much and that can be a downer. So,  I decided it's time for a little work break, to focus on happy things for a bit. And why not blog about it?

It's the little things! And sometimes those are BIG things, too!

• This one deserves a drum roll... I'm a GRANDMA! Well, specifically I'm an "Oma", in keeping with my Dutch roots and coming from a long, long line of Omas :) 

Meet Clark Nicholas, born May 12th. Is he not PRECIOUS!!!??? He's a month old already. Wow, babies change fast! I don't know how many times I've been told, "Just wait till you have grandkids! ". I don't have to wait anymore! :) And yes, it's as wonderful as I was told..over and over and over again ;) He brings such joy to my heart. Love. love. love.

 Anything I write after this pales in comparison, you do understand. Grandchildren and coffee  somehow don't really belong on the same list.  They are in separate leagues.

•   I enjoyed a misto this aft.. that is,  hot brewed coffee with steamed, frothy milk added... homemade, of course. I don't know why but lattes and mistos are comforting, especially on cool days. No sweetener needed.

• Spotify - whatever the mood, there's something old or new to listen to! I'm enjoying Discover Weekly, listening to music I haven't heard before. Joy. I've enjoyed happy music that causes me to bop around in my office chair, and scare the dog! Then I listen to instrumental music to help me focus. Then back to something that will keep me alert!

• Enzo. Little E.  Prince.  Unseated from his throne since May 12th. But he has given up his status willingly. Such a good little dog. 

• Pickleball. Yes, Pickleball is a sport, apparently popular with 'older' people. I don't know why it has that distinction because it's just plain FUN! For any age, really. If you enjoy badminton or tennis, you'll enjoy pickleball. My girlfriend and I are taking lessons. I never really want to head out at the end of the day, but each time I go, I'm glad I did. It's a pretty good workout. You may want to try it.  I'm not sure why it's called PickleBall. It uses a Wiffleball. I think someone hard of hearing was confused about the name. 

Hey, June, want to play Wiffle Ball?

What's that? What's Pickleball?

No, Wiffle ball! 

Sure, I'll play PickleBall! I'll let the whole gang know about it! 

It's WIFFLE BALL! 

Hey, guys! Come play Pickleball!

Pickleball? Sounds interesting! Yes, let's play!    

       

Yay for the little things! 

         

It's Summer!

This is the time of year where it's really, really important to let everyday count. Enjoy the moments because in a very short time, the busyness of the Fall season is going to loom large.

And it'll feel like everything is moving ahead at a breakneck pace.

And it'll be hard to control.

I know that feeling all too well. It's almost like my heart constantly beats a little faster when the end of summer approaches. But enough of that! Time to focus on... SUMMER!

It's the NOW I intend to relish. Everyday, I hope to do at least 3 simple things that bring me joy (it's good for the soul!).

So far, today it's been...

A morning walk around the neighbourhood with Prince Enzo. Here he is on one of our hikes earlier this Spring. He's the best little companion!

Puttering around the pool.  It's been cool and rainy the last little while, so no pool days lately. But today, it's sunny-- it was relaxing and almost meditative to simply walk around the perimeter of the pool, manually vacuuming it, taking in the warm sunshine, and listening to the little neighbour girls happily splashing in their new above ground pool.

Number 3 yet to come.. tonight I'm heading out to the library for a FREE workshop on still life drawing. I'm really looking forward to that!

What simple little things are you enjoying today?

THAT Kind of Dad

Growing up in our family, 'Because I said so' was a phrase I don't think I ever heard coming from my dad.

 Because he was THAT kind of dad. 

He was not a dad to fear, although I had a healthy respect for him. And he demonstrated respect for his seven children, too. I think that's what made him such a wonderful dad.  He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes.

Most of my teen years were spent on our small family- owned mushroom farm in the Fraser Valley. Dad wanted our input on what to call this new venture (we chose Meadowview Mushroom Farms) and while my dad and oldest brother ran the farm, all the other older children and my mom helped to make it work, too.

When Dad first bought the farm, he couldn't afford to hire too many people, so we worked A LOT! After school, weekends, and sometimes even during school. Sometimes we worked well into the wee hours of the morning, picking mushrooms at their prime. If not, they would 'open' and be relegated to 'second grade' and we wouldn't be getting top dollar for them. My dad couldn't afford to pay us for our work that first year, but when that second year rolled around, he asked each of us what we would like to have as a thank you for all the help we had given him. I asked for a horse. And I got one.

He was THAT kind of dad. 

When I graduated high school, I decided to work full time for Dad for one year before going on to university. Why wouldn't I want to work for my dad? He was the BEST BOSS EVER. And my mom made our coffee breaks the best, too! (coffee, cookies, and conversation in the kitchen twice a day! )

By that time I had been working part time for several years, and making decent money, too.

He was THAT kind of dad. 

He had hired a crew by then, including a couple of my girlfriends. One day Dad told me he had decided that paying us by the pound, rather than an hourly wage, might be a better way to go and would perhaps increase productivity. My girlfriends and I didn't like that idea one bit, for several reasons. It would increase competition between us (fighting for the most loaded mushroom beds, for one) and take away from the joy of working together. So, we promptly formed a 'union' (in jest), ordered matching bright yellow T shirts with a huge mushroom decal on the front and the words:  I must be a mushroom...everyone keeps me in the dark and feeds me B.S.  It's true! We really did this and my dad got a good laugh out of it. We presented my dad with reasons why getting paid by the lb. wasn't really a good idea at all. And Dad changed his mind. He respected us enough to rescind his decision, even if it might have not been the best financial decision for him. My respect for him just kept growing.

He was THAT kind of dad. 

I have lots of other reasons why my dad is still in the GREATEST DAD EVER league, but this is what came to me as I was thinking about my dad yesterday.

Last week we took a quick trip over to Alberta to see my parents and I got a huge hug from my dear Pops. The drive was worth it :)

What a gift to have THAT kind of dad!