A Meal Grown with Love

Mashed potatoes, harvested on this day.  Garden fresh tomatoes with green onions that had grown along side. Cool cucumbers off the vine. Bruschetta made with garlic and herbs picked just moments before. The chicken had been marinating in tarragon and rosemary, again grown just metres from our door.

A fine meal brought to the table courtesy of sun, rain, soil and a loving God who created all.  This excellent repast gave the pre-meal Grace special meaning today.  For all of this, again, I thank you dear God.

Socks

Yesterday, I bought socks, by the dozens, with the intent of donating these to the homeless in our community with notes attached from my Children's Liturgy friends.

My older son, seeing the piles of socks, asked if he could have some.

Of course, I obliged. I can always pick up more socks. Little did I know that my own child would benefit from my planned generosity.  I wonder what he would have thought if there was a note attached?

Careful What You Say

A couple that we met today shared a common experience with us.  The lady's left foot was in an Aircast, just like my husband's left foot. It is always interesting to see conversations begin from these visible commonalities.

As my husband spoke of what he can not do this summer being hindered by the left foot cast, the gentleman spoke of a young co-worker who often came to work driving  his father's Mustang because the father was laid up and could not drive it.

Later in the afternoon, my son joined us at this family gathering.  As God had planned it, the gentleman that my husband and I were speaking with is a co-worker of my son's.  This new friend was telling us about my son and my husband's car.

Yet, one more time, our dear Lord chose to help us to understand why we must always be careful what we say.

Gathering

My older son went home this afternoon.  He lives with one room mate and his conure in a small Toronto apartment. As I drove him to the bus station he commented that when he lived at home he did not realize how busy our household is.  Now, having been away for years, the constant and continuing flow of seven people, in and out of the house is dizzying to him.  I think I can understand how our brand of chaos can sometimes feel like that.

We were invited to a porketta roast this afternoon. This was a large family gathering with over 35 people gather to share a delicious meal. My niece, the hostess of this event commented to me how she likes dinners at my house because our 'family' consists of my little group of seven, her husband, her son and herself - only ten people.

It is all perspective.

Happy Day

August 26, 1950 is the day that my parents were wed.  Over sixty years ago they joined hands and hearts for 54 years of marriage - some days good, some days not...but all days were loving.

When my father passed away in 2004, we anticipated that my mother would continue to live forever, but it seems that her body had other ideas.  Arthritis stiffened her limbs eventually taking even her ability to walk.  It seems that her body chose to enact this autoimmune disorder in reaction to her lost love.

My mom's earthly journey ended last October.  This is the first Anniversary that the two are reunited.  I can picture them, bodies waltzing in eternal unison, continuing the dance of love they started so many years ago.

People Matter

"People who matter are most aware that everyone else does, too." 

Malcolm Forbes

Today I was asked by a lady for some spare change.  I make it a habit to not just give spare change. On this day, I simply walked past this lady.  I suspect that even though she asked, she did not expect an answer.  She seemed accustomed to being invisible.

Although I was in a hurry to get to my next destination, what would it have cost to respond, even if it were to say 'no' or better yet to say 'hello'?

I am still learning at this game called 'life'.  I hope next time to respond. To show a stranger that he or she is NOT invisible, but important.  After all who am I to judge who should be rendered important or not?

Thank You

Think about it!

Did we really need a commercial to remind us to be kind, generous, thoughtful...?

Assante Sana

From the Queen of Talk, Oprah Winfrey,

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll never end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

How to even begin a list of everything that we have?

When we were in Boma N'Gombe, Tanzania in 2009 we met a people who were truely poor in financial terms, but lived very rich lives.

There people used what little resources they had to grow food for their families. Here we worry about our lawns.

There people buy items in small amounts because they can afford nothing more. Here we happily purchase more than we need and throw away the scraps.

There, we were welcomed with open arms. Here we are afraid of strangers.

There people are eager to help. Here we ask, "What's in it for me?"

There people of various religions worship openly.  Here we celebrate in our Churches, but when we are in the parking lot no one can tell that we had ever been to Mass.

In Boma N'Gombe, people live with very little, and yet, they have taught us so much.

Assante Sana.  Tanzania Yetu.

Tears of Pride

Today, my youngest daughter began her two day experience of 'Champ Camp', an athlete development camp for skaters out of the Granite Club in Toronto. When she received the invitation, I was thrilled for her.  However, I did not expect that I within those hallowed halls, that gave rise to many internationally acclaimed Canadian skaters, tears of pride would well.

As I looked at the walls adorned with images of skaters that I grew up admiring, my mother's words of awe for their talent flooded my mind.  There I stood, hearing my mother's voice while watching my own child prepare to grace that ice training surface. If my mother was here today, I am sure she would have joined me in tears.

How many times, does our Lord fill with pride when we accomplish tasks that He set out for us?  Have I lived this day in a way that would please our Father?

Knowing

A year ago I completed the requirements for a Diploma in Ministry.  As my course work was coming to an end I had the chance to speak with the person who's experience introduced me to that program.  I indicated that I was looking another learning experience for the fall.  She suggested a course in Liturgy from St. Francis Xavier University.

I thoroughly enjoyed that course, but out of this experience a few new friendships have arisen. Who, but my God would have predicted that I would find companions for my earthly journey in this on-line experience?

To me, it is clear, once more, that our Lord has a plan.  His hand gently guides sometimes through the voice in my soul; other times through the voices of others.  He is always near.  I just need to be open to hearing.

Not Like the Others

Your thought for today from Hazelden: 


No day is like any other day. Isn't that interesting? And you never know what the next day will bring, and that's exciting.
--Alpha English

Alpha has not lost her zest for life. Although nearly ninety, she nurtures a young mind and a wise heart. Her attitude influences those around her too, making them fortunate people indeed. We have the capacity to bring only joy to those around us, too, What's the key? Perspective.

The eyes with which we view our circumstances take charge of the day. What may look scary to someone else, such as giving a talk at the book club or playing bridge with a new partner, may actually excite us. Or the reverse may be true. The important lesson is, if others can look ahead with glad anticipation, so can we. They have not been endowed with any qualities that we can't acquire.

Most of us were too busy in our youth to pursue all the activities that interested us. Now is our time. We'll discover we have enough time to journey in any direction that calls to us if we have cultivated an eager attitude.

I am embarking on a special mission today. I pray to look upon the experiences with a glad heart.

Return Home

In March 2009, the arena that I called 'home' was closed due to problems with the flooring.  The building was to be sold and never again to host an ice sport.

Sometimes decision makers change their minds.  Such is the case with this 'home'.  Faced with public back lash and a lack of places for user groups to skate, city fathers renovated the arena and today, for the first time in over two years, our skating club came home.

The Same But Different Words

It is just a matter of words....

Bubbles

I love bubbles and am so happy to see my little friend loves them too.
A dip in the solution, a deep inhalation and the gentle puff onto the film...voila!

Oops!

 She is in her third year of University, won top honours at her high school, still get grades over 90% and yet donning a life jacket seems to have puzzled her.

Air Time

Recently my husband purchased a tube to ride on behind the boat.

Guests are treated to a little air time while skimming over the Northern Lake. 

Pretty Toes

Grateful for our friend's toes,
that she has toes and feet to walk on
that she has toes and feet to decorate,
that we have lush green grass to walk on,
that a talented artisan painted these toe nails,
that her aunt treated her to a pedicure,
that they had the luxury of time to spend on this treat
that God decided, before we were born to arrange all of this, so that I could take a picture and post it for all to see.