Flower Pots and Memories

Usually I have my flower pots done by Mother's Day.



But this year, with spring coming along a little later . . .

it was quite appropriate that I would do them on this memorial day weekend.

As I enjoyed some alone time out in the yard . . . scrubbing pots, adding soil and planting,

I had some time to reflect on the process of memorial preparations and things that Mom liked.

I could not help but think about this photo.
She never did appreciate flowers in the house, but she sure loved them outside.
Even when all she had was a small patio.
This is one of my favorite photos of her.

The Last Call

So like at times before,

Her eyes are closed, as if in sleep.

But laying my hand on her forehead

Does not open them this time.

In this hallowed moment,

As each breath still brings assurance

Of being able to say what needs to be said,

I bend over and talk into her ear,

"I love you . . . and

I wanted to show the cookbook to you.

Your recipe is in there, with a story."

I really don’t know why I thought

I’d always have another chance.

Last Friday she called,

Asking where her children were.

In her own manner, she complimented me,

And I told her she had given me a wonderful son.

I did not know it would be her last call.

The last call of untold calls over many years,

Asking, "What you doing?"

“What you making for supper?” or

“Where were you?”

I leave her bedside,

More hesitant to do so than ever before.

Why is it that in the final end

I know I’ve misinterpreted her care.

I see a face, a soul that truly loved.

I see a mother and Oma who’s done all she could

With the little she had, with all her heart.

And I leave the home, her threshold to heaven,

More fully aware that the things of this earth

Grow strangely dim

In the light of eternity awaiting us all.

Addendum

Our mom, mother-in-law, Oma and great-Oma went to meet her Lord and Maker at 8:45 AM today.

She will be  missed.

Flat Stanley Visits

A couple of weeks ago Shaun and Kristal came by and we all packed into their van for a trip into Vancouver and a walk on the seawall.

I could not help but snap some pics from the backseat I was sitting in, as we drove through the heart of Vancouver, getting close to our destination.

Stanley Park is the third largest urban park in North America, taking up 1000 acres of green space on a peninsula that borders downtown Vancouver.  The park, also known as Vancouver's playground, is about as old as the city itself and offers beautiful picnic areas, a playground, several beaches, a water park, an aquarium, a nice restaurant and coffee shops, a nature house and more . . . for millions of people year round.

The main reason for our trip this weekend was to take our friend, Flat Stanley on a tour. Flat Stanley came to us via mail from a schoolboy in Virginia. Stanley is a character from a children's book written by Jeff Brown . As the story goes, a bulletin board falls on him and flattens him, but he survives and makes the best of his altered state, soon entering locked rooms by sliding under the door. Today school children are sending him across the continent or even around the world, so he can come back and tell them about places he has been.

When I was asked about hosting him, I said, "Sure, and we'll take him to see Stanley Park!" This was a surprise to my friend, not knowing that there really was such a park. In the meantime I have learned that Stanley Park was named in 1889 after Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada at the time. 
I also found it interesting that the Stanley Cup Playoffs happening in hockey right now are named after the same person.



We unloaded the kids' bikes and they eagerly got on them as we joined others on the seawall.




The seawall stretches out for about 5.5 miles, running around the perimeter of the park. There is not a spot on it that does not offer some significant or majestic view.

The skyline across the harbor always amazes me!

We continued on our walk but, as we got further away from the city, I decided Flat Stanley needed to pose for a photo right then and there.



Koen, was always ready with a smile too.

We took a small detour off the path to see the totem poles, which are a favorite attraction. They are a form of BC's First Nations artwork that tell a family's story and mark important events.

Before too long, the kids tired of their wheels and we decided it was time to check out the playground.



We enjoyed the rays far into the afternoon and then we headed to White Spot for dinner, where they still serve kids meals in pirate ship packs. It was a perfect Vancouver day.

Rain Rain Go Away

Although today the sun is out . . . we have seen very little of it this spring.

Part of the path I walk around the pond has been flooded for some time. Good thing we live on a hill, but our back yard has been quite soggy too.

But in spite of all the gloomy wetness, my weekly little visitor somehow manages to remind me of spring and put a smile on my face.  Maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to visit the baby ducks on the pond soon.

He Asked - She said Yes

As I'm pondering a new chapter in my life, I've been wondering whether to write about it and decided that is just too significant not to  . . . it is, after all, another season to enjoy. So, allow me to tell it in "true story" fashion . . .


Once upon a time we were two families living in Vancouver. My very first friend in Canada became a close friend, and later my bridesmaid, due to the fact that our parents were best friends. Every Friday night and often on Sundays they would come over or we would go to there. I loved going to their house. Her mom was very hospitable and easy going about what kind of snacks we cooked up  in her kitchen. Our parents were the most relaxed when they were together ... playing card games and laughing. One thing I remember most clearly about visiting their house was the novelty of watching TV, since we did not have one at home. To this day, if I were to hear the intro theme music to  I Love Lucy, Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch, My Three Sons or Bewitched . . . I know I would remember the feel of that rush of anticipated excitement, felt on that couch.


In the late 1970’s our parents, along with a third family, bought a joint property on Hatzic Island, a place to enjoy weekend get-a-ways. Over the years this has been a memory making place with many other guests as well.

My father passed away four years ago.  My girlfriend’s mother passed away last year. And somehow the lakefront property, with the two houses on it, has not had the same draw it used to have, as each family has experienced loss.

One can already guess where this is going. He lives in a big empty house on the lake and my mom lives in an apartment in town . . . but the phone line began to have a busy signal much too often, when we called. On both sides of the family, we began to clue in and observed, with smirks, love blossoming.

The invitation went out for this past weekend.  She wanted the children present when he would ask the big question . . . so we drove out to the lake and headed to his house. I could not help but take some pictures of this lovely lake and the trees with their fresh springtime growth.

The table was beautifully set for the occasion and we giggled our way through warm embraces from his family.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal and then we witnessed his profession of his love for her . . . and her acceptance of his proposal. When do kids get to do that?

Now we will let them plan for a Fall wedding and just be there when needed. I thought I was finished with wedding plans . . . but with a lingering premonition I wonder . . . why do I still feel like a mother of the bride?

Together - All Ten of Us!

I hardly know where to begin and where to leave off, when it comes to the events of this very full and wonderful weekend! Our "missing girls" came in one by one, starting on Thursday. Several book signings were planned for the weekend, but the highlight for us girls was a dinner hosted by Lovella and her beloved . .. as many of us know him by.

They set up tables in their shop and, although they did a lot of running back and forth to prepare, one could tell that they did it with joy as we were welcomed with big smiles. We were all so excited to be together and have our hubbies with us too.

As we are learning . . . Mennonite Girls Can Cook! We started on appetizers . . .

While Harv and Bev fried up the most delicious coconut prawns to add to the appies. Nothing like having them straight out of the pan. I have a feeling they will be served on all of our patios this summer.

The main meal featured Greek roasted Cornish hens and potato wedges, Greek style grilled vegetables, rice, Swiss chard rolls, green beans, several salads and warm toasted pita chips made from pita bread.

After being seated, Charlotte said a table grace in High German as well as in Low German. Ellen said a prayer in Russian and then we all stood to sing Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow in English. With the acoustics in that room . . . it was very moving. There is something about hearing the language that was spoken by grandparents and parents ... for some of us even as children . . .  and then the familiar doxology in four part harmony, that made for a beautiful common bond.

We ate. Of course there was dessert too! Pies and ice cream . . . Then we sent the guys to visit on their own as we went about some of our business... fun  business!

On Saturday the group did book signing shifts between Winks and Lepp Farm Market. It was a lot of fun to meet old friends and new friends, some of whom we have met through blogging. We made excuses for photos . . . here is one of the three farmers wives . . . at Lepp Farm Market.

There were those who had received books already and came just to get them signed. I was excited to see my sister come by.

And some special little visitors, one of whom wanted to join me in the signing department. I used to think that when people got their books signed it was a treat for the person getting the book signed, but now I realize that it's a treat for the one signing. Ah... this could be short lived... so we just made the most of it!

I'm still getting used to the fact that Shaun and Kristal are really living here now. They came to check out the Farm Market Place and enjoyed some lunch at the bar.

Tonight we will be at House of James. There will be a short little program and we will serve some freshly baked desserts from the book. I'm really looking forward to visiting with those who can come!