Celebrating 57 - the Year that Was

Yesterday we celebrated a special day and I'm calling it a celebration of the year that was,

since technically I was still fifty seven and I've enjoyed this number, 

the age that lines up with my birth year, 1957. 

I know . . . I'm kind of strange that way.

It was the kids that suggested Stanley Park and I could not have thought of a better place to go

on a Sunday afternoon.

For some it was the first time looking for shells . . .

or digging toes into the sand

or feeling the cool ocean water.

One of the joys of getting older is to see everything old

from a new perspective.

It's fun to see the look-a-likes,

new smiles on the block,

Papa kissing chubby arms

and taking turns holding the youngest ones.

I'm blessed by family 

and by memories in old, familiar places,

that we enjoyed before we ever had dreams of a family,

blending into another and even the next generation of memories to keep.

I'm looking forward to what this next year has in store,
especially the anticipation of seeing our Indonesia family.

Begonia Beauties

Thank you for coming by today!

There's been no update on the parcels after being re-assured that they are on their way,

but remembering that they live in a place where people tell you what you want to hear

or, at best, something breaks down along the way,

I'm just happy that they are not forever lost.

So, while you are here . . .  let me show you around a bit. 

If you could come for a visit you'd notice 

the hanging basket of begonias welcoming you at the front door.

These blooms are really liking the shade they get here

and I've been in awe of the variety that come from the same plant.

Designs I could never dream up . . . but someone did!

Right under the hanging plant with the white blooms

is this yellow variety.

Again . . . 

compare the flowers in the previous photo to these, on the same plant.

They look like roses

while some look more like impatiens.

Moving on, between our garage doors is this one with a peachy tint added.

Some blooms look like carnations,

others like a wild rose.

And these, I'm not sure what to compare them to. . . so unique! 

I love the pop of lime in the center.

A final begonia that has enjoyed compliments 

at my back (side) door is this one.

All the blooms are the same shape

but it's so full of them that you can

hardly see any leaves.

After all my complaints about getting too much

shade for growing beautiful flowers

begonias have shown me that they have their own place to bloom.

Things Missionary Grandparents are not Told

I lay on my pillow, my throat constricting in pain 

as I tried in vain to stop the tears trickling into my pillow.

I was not sure why this particular disappointment was so hard and

 I don't think anyone could really know, because sometimes it's just the way feelings go.

The thing is, 

I knew they would not be at the family table on Thanksgiving Day. 

I knew the beautiful Christmas chaos of unwrapping gifts would be less so 

and that we would not be attending Easter service together. 

I knew I'd miss their birthdays . . .
or days in between with unknown challenges and dangers . . .

and I can say I've hardly lost tears, at these.

I've learnt that skype calls will be blurry, delayed and disrupted,

 not helpful in conversations where it's hard to be on the same page,

when we are not even on the same day, 

 with no familiar context to feel and share . . .

such as looking out of the window to see their friends playing outside, 

or wondering if the mosquito that just flew in carries malaria.

I can't see the scrape on the knee to ask about it.

The funny thing is . . . most of this was expected . . . 

but the thing that has broken me is the unexpected . . . 

the parcels we can't track.  

Gifts I sought out months in advance, carefully considering each item, 

folding them several times and laying them out 

before finally wrapping them  and sending them off, 

waiting for them to be touched and felt  and enjoyed!

This is the joy stolen, 

by a mail service that cuts open parcels and lets them sit as long as they like . . . 

and I am left angry, hurt and disappointed . . .

 robbed of such a simple joy.

No one, not even I, can understand why this one is so hard.

Empty handed, I wish them a Happy Birthday on the phone
and  find comfort in being told it's okay.
Waiting for a gift they know is coming is still fun.
I hope the wait pays off.

Gift from a Grandgirl

Papa . . . 

when I saw this artwork on his desk, I couldn't help but smile.

You can draw the line wherever you like . . .

his name spells a love that holds a special place in her heart.

She says,

If I could give my Papa any present, I would give him

$9 so we could go to Tim Horton's

AND

my Papa makes me feel happy!

Three Years Later!

In spring of 2012 - Teddy was just a wee one yet

and Lacy had just turned two, 

when their family belongings were packed into  a U haul

and we followed them across many miles of prairie land.

A bitter sweet trip to be able to be there for them and 

yet to know the way back would be hard.

Looking at the time now, it's hard to believe

a big steel box got packed up again and will be here soon,

while father and son are on their way back, driving two vehicles.

This time I did not go along . . . but the little family that is here

waited with excitement at the airport today.

And they came home!

Kari's mom accompanied her and the girls.

I'm sorry that I did not get Jade (in Elma's arms) on the photo.

I keep saying it . . . and it's true . . .

the best thing is to see cousins together again!

It's been a lonely time at family dinners for the ones here,

having watched all of their cousins move away.

I'm thankful for their time in Saskatchewan as 

I've come to appreciate the bond we could have in spite of distance,

the family values they have practiced there

and the wonderful friends they have made!

The move is according to their plan when they left -

to be back for the kids schooling -

and yet, maybe the parting from there was harder than they thought it would be. 

I  know they are richer for the time they have had there

and we will be richer for having them home again.

Part of a Great Weekend

I love the moments before guests arrive at the lake . . .

he has set up the chairs

while I'm hoping that everything is in order in the kitchen . . .

and the view through the window makes everything okay.

This summer we have had the blessing of doing this several times

but this time I just have to share because I know these guests won't mind at all.

In fact, you'll most likely see similar photos on their blogs.

The girls from the West Coast (with our hubbies) 

began our Sunday afternoon with a short drive and a quick walk to the falls nearby.

The 30 meter Cascade Falls tumble into a pool 

that flows over to more pools along a small canyon

under the new suspension bridge some of us saw for the first time on this day. 

In the past, our family has hiked up to the top with our kids and enjoyed the boulder jumping

in the river. 

But on this day we just enjoyed the coolness of the platform looking toward the falls,

before heading back to the lakehouse for dinner.

Lovella brought this beautiful bouquet from her garden and prepared the main dishes.
Everyone else was happy to just add something to the menu:

ham cheese ball with GF crackers for appetizer

smoked pulled pork 

sesame seed buns

coleslaw

baked beans

potato salad

fresh corn on the cob

watermelon, cucumber and feta cheese salad

cheesecake and peach pie for dessert

We filled our plates and sat in random circles - actually Mennonite style - men and women apart, and time flew as we chatted about everything from funny sweet nothings to things close to our hearts. It is an amazing thing . . . this friendship that had such unexpected beginnings and now really does not have a lot to do with the recipes any more. We all know that if we never do another cookbook, the best thing that we share is this friendship, where we are better for it . . . encouraging and inspiring each other in our marriages, family values and way of life. I am so very blessed. 

PS We missed Marg on the hike, but she was there for dinner. We also missed our dear Manitoba girls.