ThanksGiving

I learned a lot about Thanksgiving growing up in a large family.
Mom & Dad taught me and my siblings to recognize our blessings and to be thankful for what we had.
I remember conversations over the years as we grew up where I, or one of my younger siblings, would ask mom or dad, "Are we rich?"
Without hesitation the response was always, "yes!"

Who ever posed the initial question would then follow up with naming the possession we didn't have,
the toy so and so down the street had,
how big their friend's house was,
or how many televisions the neighbors had.
Mom & Dad would explain that those are just things, just possessions.
What makes a person rich is love and our family has a lot of love.
They would go on to say what makes a person rich is how much they are willing to give,
not always thinking about what they can get.

As young kids we didn't always like this answer.
I am sure somewhere in the back of our minds we were wondering how love would be able to get us that coveted toy under the Christmas tree.

But as we grew older, we learned it isn't about ThanksPossessions,
and its not ThanksTaking.
No one ever called it
ThanksHealthy,
ThanksFriendship,
or ThanksFamily
yet all those things are blessings I am very thankful for.

I also have never heard anyone call it
ThanksTurkey
even though I am extra thankful my turkey turned out fabulous!

Its always been ThanksGiving!

I had a wonderful ThanksGiving in spite of it being rather small in comparison to our ThanksGivings of old.
We numbered 7 around the table and had enough food for twice that many.
I was a bit sad about that.
Not sad about having leftovers, but sad about missing the family that couldn't be with us.

I remembered years past when the house was brimming with family & friends.
Mom & dad would invite others to join us who had no family to celebrate with.
I thought about doing this, but I don't know anyone here in Salem to invite to join us.
That made me kind of sad too.

But what lifts me up is having fun with those that are here.
Listening to the kids laugh, tease, and play together is a lot to be thankful for.
We had a couple of Trail Blazer tickets for last nights game, but the kids all voted to stay home and just hang out together.
I like knowing that they, too, are thankful for the time they have together.

So yesterday I set out to find a way to "Be ThanksGiving".
I wanted to find someone to give the Trail Blazer tickets to.

In the past I have found city workers, or construction people to give the tickets to and I have enjoyed the excitement on their face as they think about going to their first NBA game.
Evidently the city employees had the day off because there were no work crews to be found.

I headed to a small sports bar thinking surely I could find someone there who would appreciate upper deck cheap seats for a Trail Blazer game.

As I sat at the bar enjoying a beer, I took in the small crowd of regulars.
I noticed a group of 3 young couples, but that didn't seem likely as I only had 2 tickets,
A husband and wife were there (the wife was in a wheelchair), but it didn't seem likely they would venture that far from home late at night.
There was an older gentleman who lost his wife about a month ago,
and a bar acquaintance of his who had just returned from Nebraska and Kansas.
I like the 'coincidence' of this.
I, too, had just returned from Nebraska and Kansas.
So I offered the tickets to him.
While his face lit up and the idea was enticing, he said,
"I better not.  My wife would kill me.  I have too much family at my house and I was lucky to get away for a beer."
Then he glanced around the room and said, "but I think I know someone who would love these".
He headed past me and walked up to a young man who had just sat down at the bar and ordered a beer.
The older gentleman said to the younger one,
"Hey, I'm not asking for a date or anything, but do you have plans for tonight?" and then he handed him the tickets.

I love watching the look on a persons face as it goes from confusion, to understanding, to uncertainty, and then to joy!
Yes!
I think I found a home for tickets!

As it turns out they young man recently sold a car to a Trail Blazer player, he has been doing some promotional work for the team, and his employer is a sponsor of the Trail Blazers,
yet he has never gone to a game.

He hesitantly asked me,  "how much do you want for the tickets?"
"Nothing", I said.
"Can I at least buy your drink?" he asked.
"Already paid for."  I replied.
I said, "It's ThanksGiving!"

I tipped my glass to him and thought of my mom & dad.

ADYC Day 2

Well its been 18+ hours since I crawled off of the top bunk. I just crawled back up and am hoping for a lights out soon.
But in the meantime I thought I would quickly reflect on the days events.
It began with a beautiful sunrise


And ended with an even more gorgeous sunset.


In between there was much song, dance and prayer.
Both Caroline and Jacquie made it up on stage in front of the 600 or so young Catholics.


Caroline as she helped with opening prayer.


And Jax for a competition to spell the word Magisterium; one of the 3 pillars of the Church.

The closing prayer service was quite moving and so was my opportunity to lead some small group sharing.
I do miss youth ministry.

Just a half a day tomorrow lies ahead.
But it will be a very long half day beginning with Breakfast outside in the bitter cold.



It's supposed to be even colder than this morning.
Yikes!

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ADYC Seaside Oregon

I am on the top bunk in an old barrack at Camp Rilea near Astoria Oregon.


I am sharing space with 12 other ladies who take longer to get ready for bed than anyone else I've ever had to share space with.
I am here as a chaperone for the biennial Archdiocesan youth conference.
I am glad to be here with Jacquie and Caroline and I hope they enjoy the weekend.



I'm not quite sure how to get down off this thing in the dark without stepping on my bunkmate ( who's name I don't yet know) or worse falling!
More tomorrow!

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Location:SE Dolphin Ave,Warrenton,United States

Being 50

Today is my first day in my 2nd century.
I fully intend to make it to the big 100!
I've had some great birthday wishes, prayers and phone calls from wonderful friends.
I know I am blessed!
Tonight it is nearing midnight and the end of my first full day of being 50.
So far, so good.
I rented a cabin at Silver Falls through next Wednesday.
This time I am in cabin #1.
I did NOT anticipate the change in amenities ( no more small frig or microwave ) over the years I have learned to adapt and improvise. So that is what I am doing for the next few day; adapting to the environment.

Another nice change is there is now cell phone reception up here in the mountains. At least I think this is a nice change.

Sometimes I wish my phone didn't work.
I prefer to 'de-tach' from the world. But at least if the kids need to get it in touch, they can.
It's a good thing.

More later
I have to make the 3rd attempt at waking my husband and getting him to bed. ... He crashed on our small cabin couch after many hours of attempting to get a nice fire started.
But vacation means no alarm clock!
Hooray!


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Location:Silver Falls Cabin #1

Happy Birthday to me.

Today I am 50!
Half a century old.
It's hard to believe.

Life has kept me extra busy since getting back from Kansas.

I've had no time to blog which means my head is too full of thoughts and trivia, events and emotions.

Hopefully in the next few days life will slow down a bit.
I am heading up to Silver Falls for a few days.
I am so looking forward to the solitude I find in the mountains.

But for now, I have a busy day ahead.

On a side note:
2 of my girls are off to a Jazz festival for school.
This is the first time I've seen their 'performance dress'.
Clearly they are growing up too!



Time passes so quickly!

P.S. My gift to myself.


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Back in Oregon

It's been a long journey today alone...
1102 miles and nearly 17 hours of driving.
But we made it to Oregon soil!

I left nearly 2 weeks ago and have spent all but 3 of the past 13 nights on a hospital fold out chair/bed or the floor

Tonight this queen size Super 8 bed feels wonderful!


Now I am unwinding, watching Harry Met Sally and waiting for Jeff to call after the Blazer game.

For the most part the drive went well, alex got more highway experience, we saw a gorgeous sunset


Outside of a 30 minute delay in Pine Bluff Wyoming while some enormous, oversized, contraption exited the interstate our travels went well.

Tomorrow our drive home should be quite manageable.
I'll get home just in time to unpack, re-pack and head to the coast for Pelican Pub's Brewers Dinner on Saturday.

Throughout my days and my nights my mind is continually drawn back to my dad. It was a very difficult, emotional goodbye.

The news from Wichita is good so far.
Dad is better.
No fever since they started steroids.
We are hoping this is the answer.
Time will tell.

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Location:Goodfellow Ln,Ontario,United States

Another semi sleepless night

Tonight marks my 6th overnighter at the hospital.
(I only slept in my own bed 15 out of the 31 days in October.)
I'm tired, worn out, stiff, and desperate to ignore my lower back pain from lifting dad and sleeping on a fold out chair.


But I wouldn't be anywhere else especially if this is my last night here with him.
Reinforcements arrived tonight in my older sister.
Although she can only stay a few days, it's time for me to begin my trek west.
I am hoping a brief stop over to see the grandsons is in the cards.
But that is to be determined later.
For now, I need to tend to dad's fever.

P.S. The last time I slept in my own bed a nearly full moon filled the night sky. I loved watching it creep up above the horizon and follow us on our journey east.
Now the moon is waning.


(At least I think that is the term when it is getting smaller.)

The moon won't be visible on our drive home, but I will still know it is there following us as we head west.

It's similar with my faithfulness; sometimes it's not as obvious, or visible to others, buts it is a constant in my life.

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Location:St Francis N,Wichita,United States

Faithfulness

Faith;
* confidence or trust in a person or thing,
* a belief that is not based on truth,
* a belief in a God or in the doctrines or teachings of a religion.

I have had a most faithful week by any and/or all definitions.
This faithfulness has not come easy at times, while in other moments it came most naturally and was quite comfortable.

Caring for my dad who has been battling a fever of unknown origin for 2 months now has me relying on faith in varied ways;
faith in the Doctor's and the decisions they are making,
faith in the staff who cares for him,
faith in myself as I support and give care,
and faith in a God who loves us and guides us through life here as we know it.

In my moments of strength I am more confident, faith filled, and trusting that answers are just around the corner.
In moments of strength it's easy to believe in the near future these health concerns will be a faint memory and soon my dad will be back to his usual ornery self.

In moments of weakness I am filled with uncertainty, I doubt and am filled with fear.
In moments of weakness I struggle to know what is right, if dad will be able to recover, but most of all I fear losing my dad.

Tonight it feels like he is slipping farther & farther away from this life as we know it.
I have worked to maintain a positive attitude and cheery tone in my voice, trying to hide my fears and my tears from dad.
And I have prayed,
A lot!

My faithfulness to this God I can't see is there,
I know it,
I feel it,
I need it.

I went to Mass right here in the St. Francis hospital chapel, a chapel I used to go to on occasion as a child and young adult.
As much as the hospital has grown and changed in the past 30 years, the chapel remains in the center of the now Via Christi Medical Center, nearly unchanged.




There is comfort in the familiar in times of doubt, uncertainty, and fear.
It is my faith I lean on that helps me stay strong.

Dad's last 2 days have not been good. He is so weak, his fever seldom subsides, and he is only somewhat aware of his surroundings.
Yet this evening when Fr. Jerome stopped by dad was his most alert, and was able to converse with Fr.

Fr. administered the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, gave dad a new rosary and prayer card. I hung them up where he would see them when he opened his eyes.
Then dad managed to eat his pie with vanilla ice cream of course!

I am blessed to be here with him at this time and share in this stage of my dad's life even as difficult as it has been.

I know God's Grace more intimately because of my week spent with my dad.
This time here in Wichita has been an awesome gift!
It will be very difficult to leave without some answers and some hope.
But I am trying to remain faithful and remember that scripture doesn't say,
'Be still and know WHY.
it says
Be still and know I am God

Tonight has been another difficult night for dad, which is why I am blogging at 3:40am.
He is restless after throwing up and I am fearful of him aspirating.

So it goes...


P.S.
It's now just after 5am.
I awoke from a 'bad' dream to find dad throwing up again. But I didn't even mind because real life was a much better scenario than the fears of my subconscious.

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Location:St Francis N,Wichita,United States

Finding My Power

Today was my 3rd day and this is my 2nd overnighter caring for my dad.


I am in awe and admiration of my Mom and siblings who have been doing this for weeks now.

I am fatigued, frustrated, and finding myself lacking in the skills needed for this task.

Someone once told me they didn't think I was a very mothering/nursing type.
I will admit to being hurt by that observation at the time.
I am a bit older and a little wiser now and can admit that they were right.

Care giving is not my gift.
That is not to say that I don't feel blessed to be here with my dad.
I do!
I wouldn't be anywhere else right now.
However, I can recognize I am not the best at caring for the sick.

In the late night hours, by the light of my cell phone, I am trying to re-read parts of the book, The Art of Power.
This book helps ground me.
It reminds me to be faithful.
It brings me peace of mind.

One of my favorite quotes (perhaps I blogged about this in the past) is:

"To be beautiful means to be yourself.
You don't need to be accepted by others.
You need to accept yourself....
True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself,
accepting yourself,
having confidence in yourself."



I needed to see this quote again.

I now understand and can readily admit that caregiver is not necessarily my forte.
And I'm okay saying that.

I guess that means I am moving towards self acceptance.

Now I just need to work on having confidence in myself.

But for now, I need to get my contacts out and try to rest while dad is semi-asleep.

Tomorrow I'll work on continued self acceptance and that elusive confidence.


And I hope to manage enough time for a nice hot shower!


The surgery for dad didn't happen today.
As he was on the surgical table awaiting the final phase of anesthesia, the surgeon was called out for another emergency.
Dad has been rescheduled for Monday. That means at least an additional week here in the hospital.

It takes a long time for one patient to become well known in a hospital.
Usually patients are referred to as 'the patient in room 7057' because they come and go so frequently.
But unfortunately not my dad.
He has been here so long everyone knows his name.
Dad has been here for a month plus more.
Even I have lost track of the time.
Sadly, I think this place is becoming his "Cheers."

I hope I can find my power and peace so I can share that with my dad and those who care for him.


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In Your Love, ...

I've had this song running through my thoughts the past couple of days.
I woke up to the lyrics ...
"In your love, my salvation lies" ...
playing in my head.

I needed to share it with you.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgNDWKq0alE&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Title : Orange Sky
Artist : Alexi Murdoch
Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother standing by
With my brother standing by
I said brother, you know you know
It's a long road we've been walking on
Brother you know it is, you know it is
Such a long road we've been walking on

And I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my sister standing by
With my sister standing by
I said sister, here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

But sister you know I'm so weary
And you know sister
My hearts been broken
Sometimes, sometimes
My mind is too strong to carry on
Too strong to carry on

When I am alone
When I've thrown off the weight of this crazy stone
When I've lost all care for the things I own
That's when I miss you, that's when I miss you, that's when I miss you
You who are my home
You who are my home
And here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by

Location:Wichita

Home Again

After 2 long travel days, I pulled up in front of my childhood home.

It was a long day beginning at the western border of Wyoming.
For the most part the weather was agreeable.



I am just not used to such strong winds blowing through wide open spaces.
It was mostly cloudy the better part of WY and we had off and on showers.
For the brief time we were in Colorado we could see rain in the distance,


but didn't have to worry about rain slick roads.
By the time we hit the Kansas border we had beautiful clear skies.



And we even got to watch another nearly full moon rising.

My son asked me if it felt "weird" coming back to KS and Wichita,



I said, "'no, it felt comfortable.
In many ways, this still feels like home.
It's my CHILDHOOD home.

Negotiating the highways, main thoroughfares, and small side streets... (Even in the dark of night...) Are still easy for me and it's been nearly 20 years since we moved away.

What is most difficult about coming home now isn't the familiarity or the UNfamiliarity of the streets, directions, getting around town, or how quickly old landmarks change.
What is most difficult about coming home now is knowing things have changed.

This trip home...
Well, ...
Simply ...
things are different.

What is weird is realizing I am much older.
I have children nearing the age I was when we moved away.
Usually when I come back home I feel young again.
Or at least younger!
But tonight is different.

When did my parents home begin smelling like my grandparents home?

It's not a 'bad' smell.
In fact, it's a 'homey' smell.

There was always something familiar and comfortable about the smell of my grandparents home on Dayton St.
It was there each time I visited from early childhood through my adult years.
It was more faint when I stepped into the house last June, but it was there even though grandma is now in a care center.

I smelled that same familiar, comfortable smell tonight when I walked in the door here on Coolidge.
But this is my parents home,
My childhood home,
Not my grandparents home!

I recognized tonight that time is passing, ...and too quickly!

For pete's sake, I am sleeping in my dad's bed because he is still in the hospital!

As Ben would say,
'Time is turning my tomorrows into yesterdays.'

Each Day I will continue to try....
To Learn
To Laugh
To Grow
To Live
And most of all
To Love


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855 miles & 3 states down

Yesterday's journey to Wichita went well.
We put 855 miles and 3 states behind us.
We were blessed with
decent traffic (once we got through Portland),


A double rainbow in Baker City,
And a gorgeous full moon somewhere in Idaho.


Alex is a great traveling companion and the audio books help keep me alert.
Perhaps I could have pushed on further last night, but the rain and thick fog compromised my visibility and I promised numerous family members I would "be careful".


Thankfully Motel 6 left the light on for us in Evanston, WY.


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Wichita Bound

This morning I hit the road once again!
I need to get to my hometown to help with my folks.

I just got home from Orlando and spent yesterday scrambling to tie up loose ends before leaving again.

I enjoyed all the colors of autumn around the city as I ran errands and didn't even mind getting stuck in traffic. This tree outside the HoJo was several different shades (although I'm not sure the lighting on my camera phone did it justice.)

I'll be missing the girls first choir concerts of the year, the Trail Blazers season opener, and some volunteer opportunities with youth and at Habitat.
I'll miss tending to my roses as the last buds open up, and my crazy Christmas cactus in it's full bloom


I'll also miss taking Laura to school each morning at 6:50. That is always a chance for me to hear more about her life. I'll miss being there when Jacquie and Caroline hit the house and share about the goings on at high school.
And I'll miss sitting on the porch on a fall evening waiting for Jeff.


But I need to go!
Family comes first.




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Blah & Boo Hoo

Yesterday on my flight home from Orlando I had lots of time for blogging, but somewhere over the skies of Oregon it was all lost.

The memories are still there, but they never made it to the internet.

Today I am feeling quite blah.
And I have been boohooing with some good reason, but it's time to get to work.

A couple of bright spot are coming home to a fairly clean house. The kids did a great job!

And i arrived home to find my Christmas Cactus has bloomed for the 3rd time this year...


And it's not even Christmas yet!

Prayers for my dad as the doctors continue to search for an answer to his illness.
And prayers for my daughter who has unexplained severe eye pain and is on pain killers and steroids.

Maybe later I can blog and recapture my lost memories.

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Morning Prayer

It's been nearly 24 hours since I left Salem and began the journey to Orlando.
There is a story there in and of itself but that's not what this blog is about.

This morning I am thinking about prayer.
In particular, the odd, unique and wonderful ways and places that people incorporate prayer into conversations and daily life.




I have my own unique method and reminder to pray more often. This has been brought on mostly due to my dad's health.

There was a young man driving the courtesy shuttle that offered prayers for a successful journey.
A gentleman next to us on a flight shared the loss of his mother. Condolences were offered and I thought about offering prayers as well but something made me chicken out.

Most of the time my faith is mine alone. It's something I do by myself. Outside of the times I've shared my faith while ministering to youth, my faith is private.

I know that sometimes we need to pray with others and allow others to pray for us. Its what unites us.

While sitting in the Atlanta airport I was fortunate enough to steal a glimpse of a Rabbi preparing for his morning prayer.


Obviously he is a busy traveler like so many of us at 6:30am eastern time.
Yet he finds a quiet corner,
dons the appropriate garments, and makes time for prayer.



I admire his commitment and love for his God.
And I will think of this often in the coming days as I continue to grow my own faith, and commitment to daily prayer.

-- Post From DWNTWN's iPhone

The Busyness of Life ... CONTINUED.

Well, I made it through the weekend and enjoyed helping #7 and the family celebrate a 15th birthday. Who knew so much preparation and food would have been needed?!?

Since last Thursday I have:
Driven a portion of the Oregon Coast,
Shopped the outlet store with 2 teens,
Camped in a Yurt at Beverly Beach,
Taken over 100 awesome mushroom photos,
Made homemade pizza for 10,
Decorated for a 15 year old party,
Hosted more 15 year olds for #7,
Built 2 walls for a 4 bedroom home,
Raised 1 of the 2 Walls built,
Made homemade Chicken & Noodles,
Learned how to merge iPhoto Libraries,
Merged over 8000 of my photos from the past 18-20 months,
Made bierocks for a small army,
Made a new to do list for the next 2 days,
And am now preparing for a trip to Florida on Wednesday.

Maybe tomorrow (when I have access to photos) I will add the visual components to my writing.
Until then, good night!

The Busyness of Life

Life has been keeping me exceptionally busy lately.

When I left my job at Habitat for Humanity I didn't know what I would do with my self or my time.

All I knew was that I needed to focus on things at home more.


A friend told me, "You will be surprised how busy you will be."

I didn't believe him.  Busy?
Busy with what?
Give me a couple weeks to get caught up on the cleaning, dusting, and laundry,  maybe another week to clean out the garage, and get the yard in shape, but then what.

10 months later I know he was right.
I am surprised!
And I am more busy than when I worked outside the home.
Or at least it feels like it.

I look back at my blog and realize that 2 weeks have passed since I have made time to write.
That means I haven't made time for me.

There was the one afternoon that I took the computer to the coast and worked.  It was a gorgeous day and I liked being outside, but the computer work I was doing was not fun, nor was it time for me.

I have been so busy that I painted one fingernail red so I would remember to pray more often.
My dad is still in the hospital and since I can't be there with him, or be there to help mom, all I can do is pray.
Most days I get caught up with busy work.
It isn't until I lay my head down at night that I think to call mom or dad.
It isn't until I lay down at night that I think to pray,
or simply take time to think.

One red fingernail catches my eye, makes me pause, and helps me to think of and pray for others.

Part of what is keeping me busy is having a senior this year.
Lots of activities and additional tasks surround a student's senior year.

The Senior Picture ritual has started for #6.
I was honored that she asked me to take them for her.
And it is fun.

 I let her decide what to wear,
when she wants to go,
and where she wants them taken.

Our first outing provided 60+ photos.

And she has more outings planned.

But I don't mind.

 Its time I get to spend with my daughter.
I look forward to the next outing.

Here is a link if you want to see more.

http://gallery.me.com/jbrownflash#100370
 #7 went along with us for moral support and for fun!  She was quit proud of being able to 'photo bomb' a couple of the shots!

All in all a busy couple of weeks.

But in looking back I mostly feel blessed!

Life could have been very different had #5 child been hurt when he was hit by a car 14 days ago.

Life could have ended for him.
Life as I know it could have ended.

But by the Grace of God we are simply dealing with the process of Citations, Accident Reports, and Court dates.

I would like to know why and how a young person who falls off a skateboard and gets hit by a car can be given a citation stating "Driver failed to yield the right of way". He clearly was not driving, and he is listed as a pedestrian on the police report.
But when a young person is hit by a car driven by an off duty police officer with friends on the police force... evidently Citations get written inaccurately.
It will be interesting to learn how the judge rules.

Whatever the outcome might be,
I am confident the learning opportunities ahead for my son will be many.
And I am humbly grateful and blessed to have him healthy and fit enough to continue learning, living and loving life!

I have taken enough time for writing, for me.
I have errands to run, a car to pack, and a party to plan for a soon to be 15 year old!

An overnighter at the beach in a YURT is a great way to start a birthday celebration, don't you think?
And I think it is the BEST way to be BUSY!

Seasons change, again.

Last January I blogged about the seasons of life.

http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/2010/01/seasons-of-life.html

And today,

the first day of Autumn, and the eve of a Full Moon,
I am experiencing what feels like a drastic change in seasons.

It feels like I am falling into Autumn after a very long spring and a barely recognizable encounter with summer.
How did summer slip past me so easily?

Oh, I remember! 

I wasn't home to experience the lazy days of summer.
Or I should say, I wasn't home long enough to get bored with the lazy days of summer.

However, there were a few lazy moments...

May was filled with lots of travel as we attended a graduation, a wedding, an anniversary and bought a car in Colorado.

June included more travel, getting the car home, the move of daughter, and the end of the school year...

July brought the largest amount of travel with the Adventure Trek 2010, the move of a son, as well as visits from friends.
(You'll have to check out my blogs from July for the full story.)

August required another long distance trip as we assisted in completing the move of our son from NE to WA but we made it an adventure for our 30th anniversary by exploring some National Parks slong the way.

Finally, September has been filled with more family and friends, sightseeing and exploring.

Its all good and I have no regrets.

But today, after watching Aimee & Mike leave for KS,

I stepped back into the stillness of the house.

I stepped back into the stillness of Autumn.


I am not in summer anymore with the hustle and bustle of family, friends, adventures, travel, and the joy of flowers and gardens.

So what's next?

What will this next season hold for me?


How will life grow in the stillness of the season ahead?

I am curious.