Leaving October

It's hard to believe the month I've looked forward all year long is coming to a close.

It's truly been a month of celebrating from beginning to end -

with Thanksgiving appropriately placed in the middle,

threading it's way into the everyday 

and the blessing of looking back over the past 40 years. 

I've overloaded on thoughts and photos,

taking this as a way to acknowledge these unmerited blessings -

my song of praise to God, who gives seasons

along with joy and strength to face them.

While on my walk with my camera,

I was reminded of seven years ago when I first began blogging

about being in the Fall Season of my Life -

a season of changes and vibrant with color,

and I am so glad that I ventured into this unknown path

of  writing, not just for myself but for whoever would read.

As much as it has caused me to be more aware

it has also made me realize that people are easy and kind -

willing to be friends along the way.

Now the thing about keeping this kind of a diary,
is that after a number of years, it makes one realize
that a lot of life is repetitive . . .
first days of school, holidays, vacations, dates, birthdays . . .
they keep coming again and again . . .
so much so, that it gets harder to see each occasion as new.
Where I used to have thoughts lined up about what to write
for weeks ahead of time,
I now take one week at a time - or maybe just a day
wondering when my first blank week will come around.
It just makes me wonder . . .
Maybe it's time - maybe not!
I don't think I'm ready to just lock it up and put it away,
but for now I'll give myself the freedom of a break.
And I'll write when I can't help myself.
In the meantime,
thank you so much for your every visit in these past seven years
I have tears in my eyes . . .
it's been so good to have company to travel this road with!

And - a Recap . . .

. . .  to commemorate that there truly is a season for everything.

Goodbye Lovely Lahaina

This Bed and Breakfast has been the perfect place for just the two of us . . .

close enough to Front Street to walk the boardwalk 

or the beach . . .

I could not get enough of this beauty 

and sharing it with the one who has stood by me

loved me

fought with me

forgiven me

encouraged me

challenged me

and spoiled me

We watched the sailboats

and then did more than just watch.

Evenings we walked along the busy little main street with restaurants lined up
on one side to face the sunset . . .
art galleries, souvenir or beachwear shops and ABC stores
on the other side.

I had a fascination for the trees taking up a city block

or taking up room in the middle of a restaurant 

or shopping mall.

I loved the sounds of musicians' voices wafting through open windows and

 following us down the street,

enjoying ice cream as we watched the waves come crashing in,

the rhythm of which has really hit me this time,

We've had time to celebrate, reflect and talk about this stage in our life

realizing that, unlike the endless ebb and flow of the ocean,

life will eventually change  for us . . . 

causing us to realize even more our need to 

look to the One Who does not change. 

Blessed be His Name,

the Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end.

The Anniversary and Birthday Dinner

On the actual day and last dinner we dressed up and  all boarded the city bus -

to enjoy dinner at Leilani's on the Beach - the perfect place to watch the sunset!

It was also  Kristal's birthday - born on our fifth anniversary. 

 The server who took the previous photo, had his back to this view . . . 

one we, as adults, enjoyed from where we sat,

willing the night to go slow.

And I'll end this time with a verse that expresses my sentiments better than I can . . .

"Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

2. Samuel 7:18

Thank you for celebrating with us!

. . . 

After Goodbye Thoughts

As I'm witting, the kids have all headed to the airport leaving us on our own for a few days at a small Bed and Breakfast in downtown Lahaina where we now have time  to look back on the past week and continue to enjoy the moments as we remember  them.
It has been so good to enjoy a summer holiday kind of beach time, coffee times, host each other, celebrate Thanksgiving and even a bit if Christmas - packing a year's worth of family time into one week.

On Friday Kristal and Shaun made their  delicious signature Mexican fajitas with all the trimmings!

Saturday morning, true to some of our traditions, we made waffles with vanilla custard. I lost count of how many came out of the brand new waffle iron.

When the kids finished their waffles, they made bracelets.

And when the adults finished, some Christmas gifts came out! The kids do a drawing of names  between them as families, and it was decided they wanted to see the gift opening.

And it was pool time again!

 A moment of sitting still - which had to be documented!

For the most part we had beautiful weather but

even when the raindrops came they always left behind

their beautiful reminder of God's promises
kept for every generation.
What more can we ask?
 

 

40 Years Today

"May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you."

Psalm 33:22

This was our prayer on our wedding day

 October 18, 1975

Unfailing love is what He's given

through the good and the hard

for richer for poorer

in sickness an health -

He has been faithful!

Our hearts rejoice in Him!