THERE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I !

When discussing a case with a nurse from another country, he was concerned about the unfortunate details. He expressed how can people live like that? I stated, in English we have this saying- there for the Grace of God do I! It is 1 saying that says so much. Did God give us the right parents at the right time? Perhaps, but even children from very dysfunctional families have made their way and have positive adult experiences. Did God give us the intelligence and the discipline to study and work on a good education? Perhaps! Did he just direct us in the right direction- to make choices and not use any circumstance we have lived as an excuse to waste our life? If we reflect on situations in our lives and the choices made- no to drugs, social drinking and not problem drinking, exercise, patience, learning positive ways to deal with conflict, healthy eating, and the list could go on! Were all the choices ours? Or was there some little inner voice that guided us? I question why some people that used fraud, stole money from others, and still have very dishonest business practices end up with the bigger houses, more expensive cars, travel and a life style that the average person will never have! Not all good things come to good people! History tells us the story over and over! Do we make honest choices that lead us to a good life but not necessarily a monetary successful life? Perhaps! Then the whole concept of success would be fodder for another post! Did God bless me with a life worth living? You bet!

A CANADIAN SPRING GARDEN

The enjoyment of each season varies. For me the flowers emerging  from the ground in the garden bring something new every day.

Having tulips in April is rare in my area but enjoyable......

Sometimes little characters appear that add some interest to a boring spot.

How is your garden coming along? Are you enjoying the renewel of nature's wonder at its best? Gardens are one of God's true blessings to us!

NANA SAYS BIRTHDAY CAKE IS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

The one celebration that is universal is the birthday! Everyone has one. It is a time where the individual has a special day and is honoured. At a recent reunion lunch, one of the teachers in the group was commenting how one of her students did not remember ever having a birthday cake. She makes an effort to try to celebrate her students' birthdays and felt she was becoming broke buying cakes for them.
Imagine not being able to celebrate with a simple cake! Of course, there are many places in the world where one meal a day is the norm. Children everywhere need and deserve the opportunity to celebrate and eat! For the adults-celebrating the milestone birthdays in a special way has become customary!
Birthdays need to be celebrated as a reflection of the blessing that we reached another age. Another year has occurred! For the little ones it will create family memories! Lots of photos with the child blowing out the candles is something in everyone's collection of pictures!

Cake- chocolate or vanilla, cupcake or slab style, lots of icing is always enjoyable! Of course today, I have a little grandson celebrating #4! Number four, you're a sweetheart we adore! Number 84, here's to lots more! Are you going to be celebrating someone's birthday today? Do you love the birthday cake and all the hoopla?

THE BEST BOOK ON GRIEF

I wrote in a previous post about C.S. Lewis who wrote A Grief Observed. It is one of the best books on grieving that I have read and used in my practice. Recently I bought a bunch to give to significant people in my life who unfortunately are in the midst of grief. His beautiful little book begins- " No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid." His book is his personal experience of grieving and missing his wife. It is usually quoted in all the modern texts on grief and loss. Reading a book will not resolve all your issues of grief. However, in the middle of the night when you really do not want to talk about how you feel, reading and processing another's thoughts who had the painful journey can bring solace! Knowing we are lonely but not alone in our bereavement journey as others before us have travelled the road let's us know it is okay to feel the pain in the depths of our souls! Lewis was known for The Narnia Chronicles but he was also a theologian with a deep faith. Grief makes us question many parts of our life and our place in the cosmos. He questioned and questioned. Does it let us also question? You bet. There are usually no definitive answers but the questioning and seeking answers can become the journey. Have you read this beautiful little book? It is available I am sure at your local library. I hope the people in my life will find it useful.

RECONNECTING WITH FRIENDS

A weekend of socializing has us reconnecting with current friends and high school classmates. Catching up on the news and new events in our lives always links the past with the present. Tired from the week, I almost talked myself out of leaving the house. Sometimes it is a good thing to push oneself to carry on! Still feel the emotions of the past week but feel good about being with people and not breaking those bonds. Do you force yourself to keep going? Do you have friends that bring joy to your life? Are you glad there are some social events in your life?

A SPRING WALK

Sometimes on my power walk I see beautiful images. So today I decided to take my camera along. A little annoying when the camera would swing side to side with my raised arms and weights, but I persevered and did not knock my camera!

I saw these beautiful blossoms by the Richmond Hill library.

Spring has beautiful trees and flowers. For the photographers there are so many pictures to take and so little time!

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

With the warmer winter and early spring, this little rhyme does not hold true. The May flowers are already here along with the blossoms on the trees and the leaves. I love it since May is my favourite month for that very reason. I feel that it is a bonus this year to be able to enjoy Spring and all its glorious renewel of life earlier and longer. So April feels like May!