Farewell Ponderings

 

 

 The morning greeted us with overstuffed suitcases waiting to be put in the truck

and one more quick breakfast at the kitchen counter. 

 

 

 

Tiny paired up socks, soothers, blankets and precious things to hold onto

 were gathered up and taken away

while the last read storybook still lay on the floor.

 

What remains are memories of

Christmas

family gathering a the lakehouse

a ride on the Bright Nights Stanley Park train

setting up a new TV

making cards and stringing beads

playing house

tea parties

a walk in the cold

a trip to the zoo

bath times

story times

bedtime tuck ins

dates with Papa

pancakes and waffles

father/son game night

a girls' lunch

family pizza night

flushed cheeks from romping with cousins

blowing birthday candles for birthdays to come

 

 

and in my kitchen there remains a work of art that won't be lost too soon.

When Mama asked her to draw anything she would like to draw for Papa and Mimi 

. . . she drew us . . . side by side

and, sitting on Mama's lap, she watched her work of art being stitched.

I love that my hair is done just right and that I have eyelashes,

my purse and the bows on my shoes . . .

When I asked her if it was a flower I am holding,

she corrected me . . . it is a rose!

 

A precious thought for winter days to come . . .

as we look forward to seeing the sunshine together

come Spring.

 

Pass it On!

 

While the beginning of this year had me thinking on how to handle my gift of a new year,

daily life can have a way of making me forget my quiet time aspirations

on how to pursue love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

 

It is interesting just to take note of how one can capture these qualities around us . . .

if only to remind us.

It may be seeing someone . . .

tuck some bills into a homeless person's cup,

whistle a happy tune as they work

clear up a misunderstanding

visit a sister in a care home - one who will not even remember

allow another to go ahead in the line-up

show integrity

give another the benefit of a doubt

 not lose their cool

 

My H and I were out for dinner with two young grandchildren one evening and

when the waitress came to give us the bill,

my H stared at it in confusion.

 

 

An act of kindness by someone who wished to remain anonymous.

Has this ever happened to you?

It is amazing what an encouragement this is to go and do likewise.

 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds . . .

Hebrews 10 :24

The Greater Vancouver Zoo

I was surprised to find the zoo was open on New Year's Day.
In fact, it was half price admission . . .
and the weather even promised a bit of sun!
So we picked up one more set of grands
and off we were.



It was a nice day for walking the park, even though it was wet and cool.
 

The giraffe came out of hiding to proudly show off his long neck.

As we went along, puddles were not necessarily avoided!

And sometimes it was surprising what wonderful tour guides the older kids could be!

While the youngest sat intrigued,
 

Paeton told us that these (Capybara) were the largest rodents in the world!



The Siberian Tiger was fun to observe.

He moved about a fair bit, rolled on his back . . .

 

 and posed for a photo.
A cheetah stared at us while lions relaxed in the field across the way.

Amongst a number of other birds we also saw two ostriches race.



 Not sure what these are . . . I think we had one or two who would have liked a ride.



The elk were washing and cleaning their antlers
while down the path a baboon was playing hockey with a stick and rocks.
 

Squirrel monkeys moved about in the tree (too fast for a photo)
but also came up to the glass window when they saw a camera.

 

 It's nothing like the Seattle Zoo we went to last summer, but it is our own little
place where we have made some memories in the past,
tucked away in that sentimental place of my heart.
With this visit those long gone "last dates"
 that included the eldest in each of these families
were redeemed with the peace of knowing that goodbyes are not forever . . .
and that blessings continue to come along.

Playing House

Like I said . . . playing house has been a big part of these past days. I have not spent this much time in there for a long time . . . sore back or not . . . this was serious business.  

 

We began in the "real" playhouse.  . . . where there would be nighttime and morningtime . . . and then we would move to the other house. I have no idea where she got this idea from.
Plastic pizza, dishes, wallet etc. were thrown into a bag and off we were to the house under the stairs  . . . to repeat a half minute night and move again.

When Papa was home, he got roped in for a tea party. . .

And if it was not crowded enough, the teddy bear was tenderly cared for too.

In the house under the stairs, real china (originally from great-great Omi) was pulled out of the china cabinet.

 

We poured and stirred and sipped . . .

 

Tea never tasted so good!

In this house, Lacey found the box of doll clothes and began to sort through them. The reality of siting under the stairs and possibly seeing the old through new eyes made me wonder why I had not gotten rid of the old dolls and bought some beautiful new ones already,

but  after dressing them and fixing their hair . . . they did not look
quite so shabby and I decided Cabbage Patch, Pumpkin Patch, My Child and Kid Sisters of the eighties needed to be in a photo.

Dolls owned by two sisters of another generation . . .
maybe it's not up to me to take them away.
They certainly don't cause any trouble down there.
 

Sisters

Those who have grandchildren living farther away understand the implications of time together being an all or nothing experience.  When we visit there or here, there are suitcases to pack for an overnight stay. Time together is intentional . . . so you go from wake up till you fall into bed  . . . and maybe in between there yet again.

One thing that has captured my attention is how beautiful young children look when they first wake up. There is nothing quite like it  . . . and there is not a thing they need to do to look ready for the day. Pure, beautiful innocence all wrapped up in a package like dew on roses.

Sigh . . .

 

 

 

 

 

One has silky smooth hair and one has hair that looks like you just took hot rollers out of her hair. (this photo is on the messy side) One has lively brown eyes and one has sparkly blue eyes. One has a slow smile and one has a quick smile.

We have been caring for them while Ben and Kari are on a trip. The second night I thought it was time for a bath, and Lacey told me that she does not take baths in other people's houses. Teddy, on the other hand, bent over into the tub of water and slurped water from her hands.

Every day is an adventure . . . and you will not find me being the mom I used to be . . . because time is short . . . I will squeeze into the playhouse, dress dolls and have tea parties. I hardly know what to cook for real supper these days.

Happy New Year!

 

We have been given a treasure-

a brand new year of possibilities.

May we not linger in regret of past failures

but gratefully accept another chance

to choose love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

 

May we handle our gift with care

 to love the one who seems unlovable

to seek genuine joy

to be at peace will all men

to be patient with the young and elderly

to show kindness to a stranger

goodness in character

faithfulness in our vows

gentleness in our homes

and self-control in our race to win the prize

for which God has called us heavenward through Jesus -

who will enable us when we ask,

forgive us when we fail,

and keep showering us with

mercies, new every morning!

This is our treasure to claim

for the new year.