Remembering my Dad

It's been two years today that I watched my Dad slip away into the arms of Jesus. After a major stroke in 1997, which partly paralized him, he continued to have smaller strokes that disabled him more and more for the next (almost) ten years. A few years before he passed away I wrote the following poem . . .

REFLECTIONS ON THE STAGES OF FATHERHOOD

A little girl runs toward her daddy
coming home from a hard day at the office.
She anticipates the catch
and being carried in his big strong arms.
After dinner, he runs holding on to her bike.
And, in time, he stays behind
cheering the new found freedom,
that he’s wished for her to find.

A teenager goes out on a date.
Daddy’s years of influence have gone so fast
though they’ve been meaningful.
She’s looking for a man that’s safe,
someone who will protect and provide.
And, in time, dad quietly gives his blessing,
hoping he’s taught her right and well,
teary eyed, as she takes the ring.

A young mom with three young children
goes to visit on the weekend.
Dad’s waiting at the front door,
bending down with outstretched arms,
ready to catch his grandchildren.
And, as he carries them inside,
nothing else matters -
they are his biggest joy and pride.

Not quite a middle-aged woman,
and her dad’s health is failing.
She feels cheated. It happened too soon.
The mind that once was competent and bright
is beginning to get confused.
And, as she watches him falter,
she feels the sad reality
of losing her dear strong father.

She looks at the wheelchair
and the once strong arms now resting.
Others are tending to his daily needs
and telling him what to do.
He opens his mouth, but the words don’t come.
And slowly she senses the yearning deep inside
for the day when he can once again
run for his loved ones with arms open wide.

A Walk With The Kids

Paet came into our room at 5:30 am and by 6:15 all three kids were in our bed!
Chris and Julene were on an overnite date and so this was a real initiation into grandparenting! My one lingering question as I get up and look into the mirror is, "How can they look so beautiful and fresh first thing in the morning, while I look like I need a major overhaul and more!"
This morning we made crepes for breakfast. I fed Makenna while Papa just sprinkled sugar and rolled up crepes. He could hardly keep up! After breakfast I showered, baked the bread that had risen overnight and gave Makenna a bath. Then we went for a walk.

Tehya and Paeton knew exactly where to take us. We went to a small corner store where we got some freezies. The road looks like a backlane with potholes and a ditch running along the side. . . but it's quite beautiful in its own way.

Wild flowers, short palm trees, weeds, papaya and banana trees, as well as all kinds of unusual plants line the road in messy fashion. Skinny dogs run around and bark, roosters crow, motorbikes slowly pass on by, curious about this interesting group that is walking. I tell you, even the dogs speak a different language! When a bunch of them bark during the night it sounds worse than 10 ambulances! Thoughts of getting a gun out have entered my mind. Anyways, I'm diverging here, from an enjoyable walk.

When we got back to the house, Papa sat on the porch with the kids while I got my forgotten camera and walked up the lane a bit to get a few pictures . . . even though they don't really re-create the feel of the hot equator sun, the smells and the sounds around us . . .

I hope to tuck this memory away in my heart for the future.

Kampung Lauk

Dinner on Monday was a new experience! We went to a place called Kampung Lauk, which means fish village. I could really see this kind of dining catching on in our part of the world too, because it's just so different! A very cultural experience for sure! I didn't know what exactly to expect, so it felt a little bit like a child must feel when they just go with the flow of things and have no idea, no expectations . . . just follow the leader. We passed these large fish tanks and I was told that we could choose the fish we wanted cooked . . . I was relieved when Chris and Julene made the decisions for us and all I had to do was to follow the server to our own little hut.

We washed our hands by a tap close to our table, took off our shoes and then sat down on a bamboo mat, at a table that was about a foot off the ground. Aside from the table cloth looking tacky, the surroundings were quite beautiful! Sort of like a National Geographic setting.

Two of Chris' friends also joined us. It made for interesting conversation with translations going on. I wish I could share with you the joy I saw in their eyes; for one of them it was a very new found joy and peace he found in a very miraculous manner.

The waitress brought our drinks. Mine is not on the picture. It was a coconut drink in a coconut. Well, you can see the bottom part of it in the next picture. A large green coconut, not a hairy brown one.

Then our meals arrived, family style. A tray of fish, a bowl of rice and a platter with vegetables. It didn't take us long to figure out why we'd been taken here. The food was incredible! After the initial surprised of finding out we had to eat with our hands, we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Oh, and I might need to add that the whole meal for 6 adults and two children cost about $18.00. When we wanted to leave a tip, they didn't understand why we would do that and we had to convince the cashier to take it. It is another world here!

Happy Birthday, Lovella!

I was thinking back to the years when we first got to know each other and realized that those years are half of our lifetime ago! We were having babies, learning our roles as wives, socializing as young couples. I looked through some old slides, but didn't find anything worthy to post. . . you're lucky! It just took me back to those days for a bit. I remember we prayed for you as a couple when cancer struck. I remember the joys we shared in learning how to care as care groups. What really sticks out in my memory is your hospitality and love for simply making your home a beautiful place to be.

We ended up in different circles in the "in-between," raised teenagers, saw them get married and even though we did not see each other a lot, there is always a connection that comes with old friends, those to whom you don't have to explain a lot to and whose kids you remember from when they were small.

When I found your blog a few years ago, I couldnt' help but keep going back to it. I was also encouraged by the interest you showed in my daughters' lives by reading their blogs. To make this short, my blog is here today, largely because of your inspiration. I know that your one desire in your blogging is to be an encouragement to others and that is truly what you are. You remind us to enjoy the simple things . . . the way a toddler squats, the flight of the eagle, the crunch of the leaves . . . and you are not afraid to remind us of "what really matters".

On this, your special day, Lovella . . . I just want to wish you all the joy and fulfilment that you could possibly feel as you reflect on God's goodness and blessings in your life. I have to apologize for stealing a photo right off your blog, but I chose it because I love this photo of you! I think that it portrays "you" in this season of your life so beautifully.
As you have declared a year of Jubilee . . . it brings to mind a time to rest, reflect, rejoice and remember God's faithfulness. And just as Fall brings on its beautiful colors, changes, and anticipation of new things, may this season in your life show off it's colors with grace and beauty . . . as you look ahead without fear.

I'm so thankful for this blogland friendship we have developed through our love of many of the same things. I consider you a very special friend, indeed! Happy 50th Birthday! Here's to a beautiful time in life!

Love, Anneliese

Christmas in February

We left Vancouver early Thursday morning, about 1:00 am, six hours after sun-set and, following the sun going west, flew about 13 hours in darkness. We landed in Taipei Friday morning just as dawn was breaking. A strange feeling to experience a long night like that and then end up realizing you've missed a whole day! (not to mention that for me it's weird to see the early dawn and watch the progression of daylight coming on -rather than the night coming.) I'm not a "dawn loving" person, but I caught a glimpse of how it could actually be nice to see it more often!
Having done this flight before, we felt like pros this time and found a Starbucks to pass the time.

After a few hours we boarded the plane for another 5 1/2 hour flight to Jakarta. In Jakarta we checked into a hotel right at the airport and then did some walking and eating to stay awake. It was "nighty night time" at about 6:30 PM for us.
I woke up at 3:45, feeling wonderfully rested and ready for the day!!! This long awaited day! After an early breakfast we checked in at the domestic terminal for our final flight, which took us over the jungles of Borneo to the city where Chris and Julene and family live.
It was raining when we landed. We crossed the tarmac and entered the small terminal, following the rest to the baggage claim area. No one was there. Suddenly we realized that security was holding them back behind some glass doors and the next thing, Tehya and Paeton had escaped under the arms of the security guy and came flying into our arms! It seemed like they were not going to let go of us, while the rest still waited outside.
This photo was taken right after we finally got our baggage and got through those glass doors.


We piled into the 5 seater SUV - all seven of us, with four pieces of large luggage and carry-ons. Welcome to Indonesia!

Chris BBQ'd homemade hamburgers for lunch. In the afternoon we unpacked and played in the yard.

This morning I woke up around 3:30 am and just listened to the sounds. Even with the windows closed it sounds like the birds are almost in your room. The mosque began calling people to prayer at about 4 am and after that the rooster started crowing. I wondered if I'd be able to go back to sleep. At 5:30 Tehya came into the room and snuggled up between us. She began telling us where we could catch the best toads in the yard. Then Paeton joined us . . . and the day had surely begun!

It was cute, when I was drying my hair, Tehya came into the washroom and said, "It smells like Canada in here!" It's funny how smells bring back memories...

Since it was Sunday, we tried having church with all of it's distractions here, but it was so good even just to hear Chris and Julene sing and hear their hearts in the words of the songs.

We set up the tree and unpacked gifts. . .

We prepared a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings ( some from home). The Christmas wreath is waiting to be frosted and enjoyed for Vaspa.

Now I'm going to enjoy the rest of life here. There is a special girl waiting to watch a movie.

She says, "A movie called, Little House on the Prairie."

Miss Tehya

The other day when Tehya came on the phone and started talking, I said to her, "Tehya, you sound so big!" She giggled. She's learning to read and she is a very confident about herself. She proceeded to tell me something about which she first had to describe the setting. I thought that she was changing the topic.
"Grammy," she said, "when it's still a bit dark or when I'm in the shade and it's not bright . . .
well you know . . . I look like I'm ten!~"

Oh my!! This is not what Grammy really wanted to hear. Being the first-born granddaughter is a special place to be, but jumping from Kindergarten to Grade five is not what I want to do . . . it's hard enough jumping 9 months forward. So, I hope that when I see you next, Teh, the sun will be brightly shining on you!