NANA SAYS LESS IS MORE FOR SPRING/SUMMER LESSONS

As some sports like hockey lessons and games are coming to an end planning for spring/summer ones such as baseball and soccer begin. Dance and music competitions and examinations are occurring but will stop for the summer. Surviving all the lessons and events in a child's life is the norm for working parents. Being the third generation to have this stress- yes  it is part of the Canadian experience. Are there ways to handle it with less stress, probably not. Just organizing and knowing each activity has a beginning, middle and conclusion. One of my grandsons went to his hockey banquet. I remember my girls' Brownie and Guide banquets at the end of the year. The next two months will be busy then if smart do less over the summer. For example, swimming lessons occur year round but it is just as easy not to have swim lessons in the summer. What did I do? I used to take my girls to the pool, to the lake and other venues where they could practice what they learnt in their lessons. An experiential event rather than forced lessons. If in planned sports such as baseball, make the trips to the games fun and outdoorsy. Maybe a picnic afterwards or a quick trip to a local beach. How to make the time a family time may take some creativity too! Remember we put ourselves on these busy schedules. Music lessons can be lessened with more informal practice time at home. Getting off the treadmill of "busyiness" can take planning. I know some parents think it is a badge of honour to be busier than all the other parents around them! A good thing to do is to ask your child what he or she may want to do. Some kids really like the social aspect of their lessons or sports. Friends are made there too. Coming into the warmer season after this brutal winter could be more relaxing if you let it. Families sure have earned it. So a day at the beach practising all those swimming skills or just floating on a raft down a lazy river can be a learning experience too! Parents give yourself a break!

WEATHER TEACHES US ABOUT LACK OF CONTROL IN OUR LIVES

After the snow melts, comes the rain and all the weather that accompany it. Our region is still cleaning up from the Ice Storm of December 2013. Many woodlots with the snow melted reveal the enormity of the damage. As we listen to bad reports from the Southern United States, there is a reminder that thunderstorms and even tornadoes are on the horizon. As technological savvy as we are, weather or is it really Mother Nature that can influence our lives. It brings me to the point of being in control. How much control do we really have over our lives? Yes we can pay the bills, eat well, exercise and put activities in our lives that have meaning but there are so many things beyond our control. We could go a little crazy if we thought about all of them. Take our health-our body parts could be ticking time bombs! We can't control the weather or many other things in our lives. So what is control? Is it learning to live with what we have and being optimistic about the future? Is it accepting that we have some faith? Living and doing are control. Foraging ahead is control. Trying to eliminate some challenges. If you check the oil in your car, the oil light will not come on. It does not mean your car may never have a difficulty but trying to get good maintenance for it will surely help. Paying attention to your body's rhythms will help with your health. Old age can not be overcome but approaching it with exercise, regular checkups, and well balanced eating does help. Besides it is better to be over the hill then under it! Slowing down and doing activities safely. Do you really need to clean your own leaves from the eves troughs with an extension ladder? Would it be time to hire someone or at least do it with a partner spotting you? We can try to be prepared for life's emergencies like having batteries, water supply and insurance. We can not fend off all that life presents but can find ways to cope. Anticipating changes and embracing them with the tasks and activities that are manageable and well  in your control.  Books have been written with the theme- taking control of your life! Control-what does it mean to you?

LIFE IS LIKE AN AIRPORT

Airports are busy places. The infrastructure is complex and interactive. More than just planes taking off and landing, the number of staff to make it all happen is huge. Pearson International Airport with its terminals and surrounding area is an example of a large city airport. The highways mark the route to Terminal 1- the new one with all the design of a major architectural design and Terminal 3- the older one for some domestic flights and international charters. Terminal 2- the round one was demolished a few years ago. When it was built in the 1960s it was innovative for the time.  Watching the signs on Highway 427 to know which terminal has which airline. Private planes arrive where they are told. Parking and remembering where one parked is important entails the drive to the airport. If one misses the right road there are lanes to return to the right terminal. There is even a hotel in the terminal area. There is a departures level and an arrivals level so easy to know which one to be on. Better to drop your passenger then to go in the terminal for a departure.  More stores and food outlets are behind security so there is little to do if staying with a loved one or friend. Waiting on comfortable chairs with space and windows make the adventure durable. A closed in ramp on the gate for boarding the plane to your destination so one does not bear the elements. Life is convenient as within the 24 hours of the flight the boarding pass can be printed on a home computer. The airport is modern but the people taking flights are the same. Anxiety does prevail with some passengers. Fear of flying is known to be part of many passengers' psyche. Travel can be for pleasure, business or a family emergency. The economy class has rammed seats and a cost for food. Business or the old First Class comes with some perks. For some reason, I love the airport atmosphere. Perhaps the days I spent in my youth travelling on an Air Canada pass, it was important to learn to wait to determine if there was an available seat on the plane. Exploring whichever airport where the wait occurred gave a different perspective of the whole experience. Watching and observing people became a favourite pastime even as a young person. There is a rhythm to the whole event. People line up to confirm their seat at the ticket desk and place their luggage hoping to see it again. Waiting at the gate, the airline personnel checks boarding passes and allows one to go to board the plane. Arrivals are more fun for me. Recently I had to wait for a family member to arrive. Watching people new to Toronto come out of the baggage area and try to look cool while searching for someone to greet them or to determine which way to go to get a cab, bus or a waiting vehicle demonstrates a lot about people. Even with modern gadgets-cell phones, there is often a sense of urgency to find someone. Face to face is better than just texting. I like how people greet people. A smile. A hug. A kiss. Linking arms. Helping with luggage. That first conversation. Someone arriving for a holiday. Someone returning home. A group of school kids with a teacher directing them to follow me. An airport with all its levels of involvement always give me a sense of the complexities of life. The road to the airport, well marked with clues of where to go. Am I coming or going? Waiting or leaving? What is my destination? Which plane? My economic status- economy or first class! People of all ages. Single, friends, family or working! From the tower to security to ticket agents to ground crew to the cleaning staff and everyone in between, there are many people at work to keep it running. A slice of a community at large. If we put the airport under a microscope, it would tell us a lot about the larger society in which we live. So as I watch the flights go over my house at 6 a.m.- the red eyes from the western provinces or the ones in the sky south of me- the afternoon flights from Europe and other destinations or the  ones in the evening coming from the west again there is a sense of relief that the systems are in place for those coming to the area that all will be well. The airport- life itself!

THERE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I

There for the grace of God go I! What a thought provoking statement? Do you ever really think about this one? Today while watching the news and the story of two young people in Nova Scotia convicted of killing a homeless man was one story featured. This statement came to mind. The poor man was just a lost soul not needing to be murdered. Could many of us be a potential homeless person in our lifetime? We picked different roads and have not ended there. But mental illness can be a reason to end on the streets. Failure and hopelessness! What about critical illness? Most people do not really chose to be so ill. Dying young! For someone my age, not even an option now. Do we really thank God or life that we have the life we have now? If your life is a good one, do you ever say thank you? Or are you someone that felt you were entitled to all that you have? Did you ever consider your life could have gone differently? So there for the grace of God go I can be such a reflective thought!

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

That old adage April showers bring May flowers is so encouraging. Where did it start? Who said it first? The rain and sometimes snow in some areas push moisture into the ground. The bulbs, flowering bushes and other vegetation has a chance to emerge. Do you ever wonder at how methodical nature is? The birds return from the south. The flowers grow. The bugs are out in full force. All the parts of nature coming together to make a brighter picture. What a difference a month of Spring makes! Even though it is not the warmest time of the year, it is the optimistic time. There is the anticipation of being outside, enjoying the season, perhaps a road trip or 2, preparing the garden for the summer's bounty. April showers with pictures of umbrellas in our heads- colourful umbrellas! As the month is winding down, and that last glitch of a mild snowfall behind us, the belief of good times ahead. Oh yes we know there could be weather patterns that bring concerns too. But for now let's anticipate hope for a warmer and fun season! What are your wishes for the season? What do you like about being outside?

COUPLES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

Couples come in all shapes and sizes. New relationships. Ongoing ones. Old relationships. Relationships terminated by death, divorce, disinterest. Some animals mate for life. Canada geese mate for life. Couples can share their strengths, weaknesses and anything in between. It is more fun dancing as a couple than alone or with a bunch of women. Having someone that understands your needs and accepts your flaws. Loving someone through all the times-not just the good ones. Regardless of how much it seems cool to date and have many different partners, most people want to pair up. Look at all the dating services, especially online! Not we will find you a date but a marriage. So what makes a good couple relationship? Why do people stay with each other? Why do some people leave each other? What do you like most about being a couple?

NANA SAYS RAISING TEENAGERS CAN BE DIFFICULT

Being around modern teenagers is a reminder of the days I was a teenager and raising my own teenagers. Lessons, activities and homework have always been around!!  Oh yes there are gadgets, Skype, concern about cyber bullying and the constant use of cell phones, I-pods, tablets and computers but putting them aside hormones and feelings have not changed. My grandfather and father's generations went to war. Young children had jobs or part-time jobs too. Are today's youth smarter? I think not. They are exposed to more ways to gather information. But more apps on a gadget does not necessarily give more information. I have lots of apps on my gadgets and well some is useless junk! Just like junk flyers. As a parent, setting boundaries is your responsibility. All the pressures that teenagers face, your home becomes the safe haven from the world.  The gadgets can be turned off during dinner for example. But if you are a family like one witnessed eating at a restaurant recently with everyone checking their phones and no one really talking to each other as a parent you are setting an example of preference for your gadget then the people present including your own children. In other generations, no phone calls during dinner was a family rule in my home. Your friends knew not to call during the dinner hour. Teachers have a right to say turn off the gadgets during class. No texting, tweeting etc. I know I insist during a talk I give to new nurses to turn off the cell phones!! Of course I am met with looks of disdain! I don't care, I think it is rude behaviour. Well teaching and setting an example that some behaviour is rude is okay.  So do parents have an obligation to teach manners, you bet. Encouraging children to use all mediums such as reading a book, using a dictionary along with the infamous spell check, talking face to face not just through a gadget, doing math in your head without a calculator, handwriting and well listening to the sounds in your environment when walking are life's lessons. Well teenagers are argumentative. It has not changed. The yes but this and the yes but that. If the answer is no, then say no-there is no discussion. Basically, " I am the parent and you are the child!" Whether modern parents buy it, your teenager does want you to give boundaries-it keeps them safe. It lets them know there are rules. Yes the teenager must protest, it is what teenagers do. Yes you will be met, you are stupid, you do not understand me, another parent is better etc. It is what teenagers do.  I had a rule with my girls. To talk me about anything. Let me decide as the adult if the idea needed to go further. Let me as the adult give you safe guidance. I told my children to let me know if any friends were suicidal and putting themselves at risk. I told them it was better to lose a friendship then live with someone dying! Hormones run amuck! But hormones have not changed. Interest and curiosity with drugs, alcohol, smoking  and yes sex has not changed. There were times that teenagers of all generations like to drag race. Well it has not changed. Look at the odd teenage accident. I had school mates that died from such occurrences. The parent of the modern teenager just has to look at history. It was Socrates in Ancient Greece that said-what has become of the youth of today! And there were no gadgets!

CANADIAN SPRING FULL OF COLOUR WITH A BUDDING CROCUS

Once the snow melts it is amazing how the bulbs just start to burst all over. Amongst the brown patches, little crocuses of a variety of colours are visible in the garden. The first true signs of what is to come. The leaves of the tulips and daffodils are emerging filling spots of dull soil. Waiting to see  if some new bulbs planted in the fall will come up under some areas in the back. Concerned that the heavy weight of the winter snow may have pushed them into a deeper part of the earth. Time will tell. Planting and waiting to see growth takes patience. Like life when we study, save or live, we wait sometimes to see what will take, grow or be stunted. Spring bulbs are so colourful relieving the white then brown of the previous season. Slowly areas come to life!

MARRIAGE CANADIAN STYLE

 

 

 

Is modern marriage different from other times? Two people who claim they will love each other until death do us part, sometimes stay together and sometimes do not! Marriage can be a love relationship or just legally binding. It helps when raising children since two parents are better than one. Couples go to great lengths to plan a wedding, a home, have children,  a life together. So why do some marriages last and others not? No one gets married thinking they will divorce. However children of divorced parents have a higher chance of getting a divorce than others. It is necessary to continue to grow as individuals and as a couple. Appreciating the uniqueness of the people involved and supporting it. Being supported is important too. It can not be one way or the love and lust will diminish. Talking, loving-is more than just sex although sex is very important, laughing, respecting, listening, and wanting to be around the other person. Finding time to spend with each helps the marriage to last. Children are wonderful but they are the greatest test of a marriage and can put so much strain on a couple. So why do some marriages last? We are a disposable society and many couples dispose of their marriage when things get a little tough. Others stay and see it through all the times especially the tough times. It takes nothing to love someone when everything is good. It takes strength of character to love someone through sickness too. My marriage is going into its 43rd year. More than just loving I believe being able to laugh together is my cement! Perhaps more thought is needed on this topic! What do you think? How is your marriage going? Do you ever consider what holds it together or what would tear it apart?

CANADIAN EASTER-SOME THOUGHTS ON 2014

A Canadian Easter can be warm, cold or in between. The sun has peeked it head so it should be pleasant today. The church bells are starting to ring form the Anglican, Presbyterian, United, Catholic and in the distance Baptist- churches. Richmond Hill has a history of Christian faith. Recently more synagogues have been built so Passover has been celebrated at the same time this year and is visible in the larger community. Judeo-Christian roots! A Canadian base. Other faiths are here too. Sometimes people invite others to their Easter table. Christians are inclusive and should be loving! Easter that time to reflect on renewal, resurrection, hope and love! Do onto others as you would have them do onto you! Simple but difficult sometimes. The hardest is forgiveness-true forgiveness! Easter has the fun side-the Easter egg hunt, lots of chocolate, lots of eating but most of all another excuse to get family together to enjoy LIFE! Our Easter table this year along with my spouse, daughters and families has a visiting sister and niece and her family! Not a lot of people-16! But big enough! Of course, the blessing of a new granddaughter!  Easter is about counting one's blessing! Do I feel blessed-yes I do! Family, work, home, skills, interests, and the opportunity to keep landing on my feet despite any adversarial events! And often it is faith that keeps me going! Faith the answers and solutions will come! How about you? What does Easter mean to you in your part of the world? Does getting together with family have meaning? Do you attend a church service? Do you love the Easter hymns? Happy Easter to my readers coast to coast and to those from near and far away lands!

SOCIAL WORKERS LIKE LIFELONG LEARNING

We are never too old to learn something new. Attending a Social Work education day was so meaningful. There are a group of social workers throughout the province that are on an email link. We all deal with Mother and baby issues of some sort in our hospitals. The topics on Postpartum depression, the neonatal development of premature babies, surrogacy, employment benefits and drug issues were so relevant. Listening to speakers that were so knowledgeable in their fields was so enlightening. The best part was being around interesting, creative social workers with a positive outlook on life. Even one of the speakers said her best Allied Health colleagues were social workers because we are so nice. If the group present was any indication, she sure was right. Learning is lifelong. It just feels right to attend a lecture or hear a speaker and getting a fresh perspective on the topic. Have you had any training lately? Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner?

THE EASTER LILY-SYMBOL OF HOPE

The Easter Lilly is such an iconic symbol and a must for any home this time of year. As flowers go, it brings beauty and hope. I like to think some flowers are happy! And this is one of them! As we celebrate the Easter message of renewal and the Resurrection, being with family makes it more meaningful. Having one or more Easter Lilies around us add depth to the message.
There are stories of how the Lilly became part of our tradition. Lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's death. Or were they from his sweat during his last hours on this earth? Or were they connected with the Virgin May when Gabriel gave her some to let her know she was to be the mother of Jesus? Even the story after the Virgin Mary died, that all that was in her tomb were white lilies is meaningful.
Lilies have been in many stories or legends. The Romans said Juno-the queen of the gods was nursing Hercules and when her milk spilled to the earth, lilies grew from the spot. I like the stories connected to the flower. I can not recall the first time the lily made its way to my home. I just know it would not be Easter without at least one during our celebrations. Joyous and hopeful, tell me doesn't it belong to everyone?

NANA SAYS CHILDREN NEED THE STABILITY OF A FAMILY GROUP

Children need the stability of a family group. Parents are the most important but extended family that includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins bring depth to life. Sometimes family friends are more like family than real family so those relationships are vital too. Exposing children to many generations illustrates the circle of life to them. Knowing they have a place in a family group. Oh yes there can be dysfunctional members or the whole family can seem dysfunctional but it is a base to begin. Children can grow up and leave the family if wanted. If you want your children or grandchildren to want to be around you than be a parent or grandparent that understands your own needs not displacing them on others. Knowing yourself and feeling comfortable in our own skin can help others want to be around you. Children like most of us need unconditional love. They do not have to be smart or even beautiful but the fact they are in our lives can bring joy. Be the family member to whom  children want to tell their stories. Want to show their art work! Want to be around! The small simple activities bring the lifetime of memories. In my life, Saturday night was card night for my folks and one of my favourite people-my Uncle Norman or Unc as he started to be called-along with my Auntie Lynne. They would play cards, argue, laugh and well a simple time. Coffee and snacks! I usually did my homework or watched an old movie on TV. There was a good feeling in the house. A simple memory but a good one! So don't be afraid to do less rather than more with the children. Even last Saturday, my precious granddaughter watched the movie Grease for the first time with me. It was joyful watching her experience with a classic musical! So old can be new again! Creating a positive family group does take effort but it is worth a life time of happiness or sometimes dysfunction! But it is your family-warts and all!

SPRING 2014 CLEANUP CONTINUES

Spring cleanup brings a blend of two seasons. More raking of leaves and bagging to make room for the new growth in our gardens. April work brings payoffs for the rest of the summer. I find there is so much work now but my goal is to have the gardens looking good so when the warmer weather arrives I can sit and admire them. Spring with its burst of energy is needed to give us permission to rest during the summer months or at least do some minimal work to get by. A time of renewal and growth! Energy! Creativity! Planning! With the change comes a change in attitude! Being outside! Walking, running, biking, playing! If lucky, put a favourite chair on your porch to have a little afternoon nap! How is your Spring going?

#springcleanup#rakingleaves#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

REUNIONS BRING A CIRCLE TO LIFE

Reunions are fun. A time to get together and chat with old friends and acquaintances. Promising to make it an annual event. Like my lunch on Saturday, meeting up with High School friends and catching up with our lives. Reconnecting with different parts of our lives allows the past to give meaning to the present. Rather fun. It doesn't matter that we are all older because we are older at the same time. I liked it. Sometimes being with too many young people spins my head. All the concern about wrinkles and how young they want to look-"do I do collagen or get a face lift or big lips"-well you get the picture. My High School group feel just comfortable in their own skin, thank you very much! So we look a little older-well we are older! Then there will be Easter with some family members sharing food with us at the table that have not been with us for the longest time-reunion! I like meeting all the people I can in my life-warts and all. Accepted with my flaws and accepting others with their flaws! Are you planning a reunion soon? If so, just sit back and make it simple. Be thankful there are people in your life that want to be with you and you with them! Like life's circle! Nice to go to the other side of it sometimes!
#reunions#highschoolreunions#meetingfriendsonceayearforlundh#funtoreconnect#circleoflifebyconnectingwithhighschoolfriends#nicetobewithpeoplewhoknewmewhen

LIFE IS LIKE A BROKEN BRANCH FROM THE ICE STORM

The Ice Storm of 2014 brought initial damage and hydro outages. Everyone rallied and supported each other. With Spring arriving the whole impact of that event continues to surface. While cleaning up my yard and area of the smaller branches, some thoughts came to mind. Life can bring a major crisis that is seen and felt. It is the small pieces of the aftermath that may need attention and "cleanup". For example, when a loved one dies, the beginning is coping with the grief, the funeral, the other family members and sometimes going through the motions. The following months and sometimes years, "the cleanup" of the little things continue to keep the event present. Often life is just permanently changed and not always for the better. As can be seen with the number of trees cut down or decimated with a trunk with a couple of branches still standing. Moving on from major events takes perseverance, work and patience. Continuing to talk about the event with trusted friends can help. Currently, people are discussing their Spring cleanup of branches, do they cut down a tree and often just how many trees they lost. Families often talk about how many people or the"trees" in their lives that are missing too. We all face some major events-whether natural disasters, deaths, job losses, divorce and even the empty nest syndrome. Do we feel like there are "broken " branches? What do we do with them? How do we move on? Can we live with the sense that life will never be the same? Then like nature and trees, there can new growth, different from the old but new. A chance to rebuild, see beauty and take on the new. What can be amazing is even decimated trees try to survive! Little shoots grow from chopped spots turning into new branches! Reflecting back on major events in my life from the time I was 4 to the present, there is a realization of many broken branches but also new growth and the wonderful premise that life does give us many new chances when we are able to grasp them. Ah patience-yes I have it! My forest of life may have some interesting trees but it is still standing which is most important, isn't it?

A STAIRCASE HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS

A staircase has a beginning and an end. Depending on where you are- i.e. at the top or the bottom- the view changes. The perspective varies. Sometimes we are at the top and other times the bottom but can be in the middle too! Stairs let us go up and down all day if we want thus giving a new view periodically. There is a choice often to use an elevator and forget the stairs! Using the stairs work our muscles! Could a staircase give us some wisdom about life or is it just a staircase? What do you think?

LIFE IS LIKE A WALK ON THE BEACH

One of the most enjoyable things about going to a beach is finding shells or other objects. I call them my beach finds. Little treasures that wash up to shore or in the shallow part of the water. Walking and looking and finding! Life can have many beach finds. But we must take the time to explore and find them. Sometimes we pass by significant finds and only notice on our way back. As a child we camped at Rock Lake in Algonquin Park, Ontario. It was a spot that First Nations people used a stop on a canoe route. They also must have made arrows too. I have a little collection of pieces of flint from their work. One of my best treasures is a little arrow head that must have been used to kill birds due to its small size. A beach is that zone between water and land. Many of us face transitions in our lives like a beach. We stand and look over the water trying to decide to wade in or stay on the land or sometimes just walk on the beach neither going forward or backwards. Still experiencing and finding our "little treasures". What are your beach finds? What little treasures have you found? Do you sit on the beach or wade in the waters?

NANA SAYS SPRING BRINGS A REVIEW OF THE SAFETY RULES FOR YOUR FAMILY

Safety with children is necessary with each season. As the snow melts over the country, the bikes and skate boards are visible everywhere. Playing outside and near streets becomes a norm. Parents need to review the safety rules. Looking both ways before crossing the street. Riding your bike wearing a helmet and watching for other riders. A biker hitting a pedestrian can do danger. Trying not to be distracted. Wearing ear plugs drowns out any street noise but it also does not let all the sounds you may need to hear to be safe. Walking and playing with your cell phone does not allow attention to any dangers. Looking! Seeing! Hearing! And smelling! Teach your children to be alert by knowing their senses. Being outside is healthy for everyone. Dog owners remember to poop and scoop! With the melted snow, the evidence is clear not everyone is a decent pet owner. No one wants to step in any! Have your own family safety rules. Oh yes-adults teach the best when we set an example! Be a role model for your little ones and teens. So no distracted driving either! If your area has some flood warnings, have a safety plan for yourself and your children. Prepare a bag or two in case of evacuation! Safety thinking and preparation is a way of living! Enjoy and try to prevent those unfortunate accidents.

EASTER BRINGS A REFLECTION OF OUR CHRISTIANITY

The Easter season is a time to reflect on our Christianity. Since it coincides with Passover, there can be a review of the story of Moses and taking God's people out of the desert. Knowing why we call ourselves Christian- Christ is the reason for the season. Basically, do unto others as we will have them do unto us. Setting an example of faith. Really practising what we preach. Remembering to look to the Scriptures for our guidance. I believe it means respect of others. Faith, hope, love and charity but the greatest is love. Love one another. Do good to those that hurt you. Forgiveness-which is huge actually. It is very tough to forgive but it helps us to continue to live!! For children trying to find the blend between the story of Jesus and why there is an Easter bunny. Well eggs and rabbits are symbols of renewal. Being born again! Easter is another time to bring family together and reach out to the community. Food banks could do with a boost. Inviting lonely people to your dinner table. Easter can be more subdue than other celebrations of the year. As the final days of Lent unfold, preparing brings a sense of joy and thoughts of past celebrations. Yes, the power of prayer! Take time to pray and yes thank the Almighty for his love and just giving us a life. What does Easter mean to you? Do you find yourself reflecting on what it means to you?
#Easter#Christianity#Passover#celebratingEasterasaChristian#faithhopeandcharityisthegreatestlove#bringingfamilytogetherforEaster#familytimeatEaster#aCelticcrossonachurch#paryandfaith

SPRING RELEASES OUR ENERGY

Starting a work week with lots of energy is a must. Mondays always bring the issues from the weekend. So the morning passes quickly to review and prioritize the work for the day and week.  With the winter blues behind us and the days are becoming longer there just seems to be a sense of having time to do more. Interesting because there are still the same number of hours in a day. Light seems to keep us awake. When it was dark at 4:30p.m. like in November, it was difficult staying up past 8 p.m.. The longer days brings the desire to keep going and doing. At work, getting the desired 8 hours of work done then the feeling of what can be done at night. If the weather holds then scheduled work outside can be done a little at a time. Changing the habit of a little nap after dinner will take effort but if outside doing something, that habit will be broken. There seems to be an urgency to embrace the change in weather. Spring brings it on!! Then after a few months of going, doing, burning energy, and enough already we will be ready for the summer!!

But still time to watch for those beautiful spring flowers! Oh yeah they do the work, it's the summer gardens that take more effort. Happy Monday everyone!!

SPRING CLEANING IS LIKE WEEDING A GARDEN

Spring cleaning is like weeding a garden. Areas look messy but when all the "weeds" are cleared out there is some space and a feeling of freedom. I clean in stages. One closet, one room, or one drawer at a time. My laundry room that was a "hell hole" is now clean. Most of the stuff I threw in there has been neatly put on the shelves or the superfluous stuff has made its way to the garage and will be sold, taken to charity or put on the curb as a freebie  to a neighbour. Several little piles of papers which were mini clutter are now gone. Doesn't it seem strange when there is a little change in the weather, the energy explodes? Up and down the stairs yesterday and today a short walk to buy some Easter things at Party City! Oh the brick all that has been decaying for several years, well pulled some of it down between the clutter clean. So for the next few weeks when bored Adolph and I will be piling bricks at the side of the house. The little pieces can be put in the paths. Yes, there are little things budding their heads in the garden. There are still some snow piles and the ice by the front door is now about a foot and a half high. My extension cord from my Christmas lights is still buried there. The good news is I managed to get my Merry Christmas sign out of the dirt-it had been frozen solid. Spring brings so much work but it is as if the body craves the change from the winter rest. So how is your Spring cleaning going?

NOT EVERYWHERE BUT I HAVE BEEN SOMEWHERE

I haven't been everywhere but I have been somewhere. There are so many places on my bucket list to consider that due to time and financial restraints I probably will not visit them. Reflecting today, however, I realized I have been somewhere. 3 times to England in my youth, 3 times to Italy in my middle age, 4 times to Mexico, most Canadian provinces, some American states, 1 time to Israel, several Caribbean islands and a variety of locales in my home province are my somewheres. I have learnt if I can not have a big trip why not take a little trip whether for a day or overnight. Life is embracing the good that comes your way not lamenting about what does not! Travel is a blessing! To be able to spend time elsewhere learning and experiencing something that is different brings memories and of course lots of photos! So what are your somewheres! What brings a smile to your face remembering where you have been!

AFGHANISTAN'S WOMEN SHOW THEIR FORTITUDE

Afghanistan had an election today. It was a great turnout. The women were out in droves to show they wanted to vote and wanted peace in their nation. HERE'S TO GIRL POWER! May their dedication show the way for a new country. We take the vote so complacently in Canada that we forget other nations struggle. Do we realize that women only had the vote in 1917 here? We too have come a long way. Remember to honour those who can not vote, be sure to vote in whatever election, wherever you live to make your mark on the world. Afghanie people the world is watching and hoping for you.

CANADIANS ADAPTING TO THE CHANGE OF SEASONS WHICH APRIL BRINGS

The change from winter to spring brings some interesting images. The remaining snow becomes very dirty especially if near a road. Those doggie owners that did not poop and scope make the sidewalks littered with-well doggie poop!!The puddles that abound are not good for winter boots so the dilemma-when to wear rain boots or convert to running shoes. Although even with cool temperatures I have witnessed people with long shorts or Capri pants already and bare legs and summer shoes! Jumping the season a little! On my walk to work yesterday, my ears were cold because I resisted wearing a hat! I have layered down though. No sweater or hoodie under my winter coat. I still wear it because it is warm. I have been checking my gardens for one sign of a little bulb trying to break through the ground. Usually my little white snow drops are the first. Lots of birdies are singing! I love it on my walk to work to hear Mother Nature at its best. Not so excited to see the red Fox scurry across the road near the hospital to go into the ravine! Love nature but wild animals should be in the wild. There are coyotes seen in our area too. But do you notice the mood changes when people can be outside Some areas of the country still have too much snow but their Spring will come soon too! With Easter coming in a few weeks, the outdoor furniture will be put out the back-maybe this weekend. A sure sign warmer weather is coming. One of my little pleasures in life is to have a spot outside where I can eat, read, think and sometimes nap!! For me the start of anything is the best. April brings the hope of a warmer season. Oh yes I have experienced storms and bad weather in April. Today is my younger daughter's birthday. After her birth many years ago, there was a cold, icy rain and rainy cold weather for the next few days. So my spring baby experienced a cold April. Nevertheless, hopeful and forward moving to our spring/summer seasons. I am getting the urge for some roads and photo opts and what adventures no matter how small!! Oh April!! Canadians need to be flexible and have patience! How is your April going? Are you getting over the winter blues? Do you have plans for the months to come? Or are you just going with the flow?

LIFE IS MORE THAN HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE

Our lives are composed of many pieces put together. Our history. Our relationships. Our interests. Our jobs. Sometimes taking a step back to reflect where we are and what we are doing helps to give a different perspective. Embracing our lives with the good, bad and the ugly let us live freely! Unfortunately many people, especially the 30 something or 40 something put so much value on money and the things to get! Comparing who has what! Wanting more is okay. But actually enjoying and taking advantage of the day in front of us allows a greater appreciation of life. Valuing others by the amount of money they possess has become an universal value. Perhaps really looking at the world through a lens of what value a person is making to it without a dollar sign. Ordinary people make extraordinary contributions to this world. Simple! Artistic! Caring ! Compassionate! So what are the pieces of your life that have value? Like I, do you ever tire of the money and possession talk?

NANA SAYS ONE ON ONE TIME WITH CHILDREN IS SPECIAL

One on one time with children allows a relationship to flourish differently. Yes family time is important and siblings need to cooperate with each other. But having alone time with a child nurtures the personality. As a Nana, I love the times I can have one grandchild alone. A conversation can occur. An activity the child loves can happen. With one little grandson he plays Snakes and Ladders with me. I get to sit cross legged on the floor with him. Different ages bring different play. Sometimes just being in the same room doing a similar craft can let the child know someone is there. Talking about a common interest. Looking at a book together are simple things but meaningful. Find time in your busy life to  spend some real quality time with the children in your life.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

April showers to bring May flowers is so inviting right now. Checking my gardens for some sign of a spring bulb budding its head has me hopeful.

The daffodil is a beautiful spring flower. Since April is Cancer awareness month, it brings hope there will be a cure for cancer one day. There are some cancers that have treatments that prolong life. One of our oncologists says that she has patients for years. Their cancer is more of a chronic disease than a death sentence. Luckily I take lots of pictures of my flowers so at times like this the photos come in handy as a reminder of bulbs waiting to bloom. Most years there are some pockets of colour in my garden by now. So buy a daffodil, watch your garden for life or if all else fails buy a pot of bulbs at the supermarket or flower shop. With all the moisture from the snow and ice needing to melt we may not need as many showers! Sunny days would be nice.

APRIL FIRST-A DAY TO FOOL AROUND

April 1 or April Fool's Day was never more welcomed than this year. There is a sense that winter is really behind us, well except in some parts of Canada. However I remember many April storms and bad weather. My Spring baby Sonya was born on an April 4th that evolved into  terribly cold ice rainy weather for 4 days. So I always expect April to be warmer but know it will be what it will be. As for jokes on this day, I am not a prankster so really do not like to do anything radical. With close people some joking around or even gentle sarcasm or witty comments can be the day today or any day.  So April, another month and time to begin anew. The Romans considered it-Aprilis to be sacred to their Goddess of love-Venus. Or according to sources it may have been taken from the Greek Goddess-Aphrodite. With all the chirping of the song birds out there, perhaps they were right those Romans. There will be baby birds soon. Is love in the air? Well let's hope so!!