Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard  

A few of the small and wonderful things from the past week which brought untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

  

So grateful for the many prayers that have been said on behalf of my son over these past few days.  They have been so very much appreciated and we have felt them.  You have been a great blessing to us.  What a comfort it is to know that people from all over the World are keeping you in their hearts.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

 

When you have children and raise them, the idea that  you might actually outlive them doesn't really come into your mind. You just kind of take for granted that they will be outliving you. We came precariously close to losing one of our baby birds this past week and I am so grateful that we did not and for modern medicine and quick action on the part of the hospital (s).  Doug had his dye test yesterday and it was determined that he had a 100% blockage in one of his arteries.  They were able to put a stent in that one.  Two other arteries were partially blocked but medication will take care of them. He has been transferred back to his local hospital now and will spend a few days in there recovering.   I am so grateful for good Doctors and for free healthcare and for modern medicine.  A wife still has her husband.  Three boys still have their father and I still have my son.

   

 

(My four oldest children, Anthony, Doug, Amanda & Eileen) 

So grateful for my oldest son who took it upon himself to keep me well informed yesterday. We talked for a long time on Saturday via the facetime and then yesterday he drove down to Saint John (along with his wife) so he could be with his younger brother and support him as much as he could.  He messaged me after the procedure and I was able to face time with both of my sons in the hospital room after the fact and see in person (as it were) how things were going, and to talk to all of them  He is my hero, this strong and tender hearted man who really, truly cares for his siblings and his mama and his family and who is not afraid to do whatever he has to do, and is willing to do whatever is within his ability to do.  I wish I could do more to help him and his family.  I wish I could do more for all of my children really.   

 

Grateful also for an ex-husband who really didn't have to but who made a special effort as well to keep me informed throughout this recent ordeal via e-mail.  Fortunately he just happened to be visiting his mother on the Island, along with his sister,  when it all kicked off.  He made sure that I knew what was happening every step of the way and I am grateful for that. It was very kind of him. 

 

Grateful for modern technology and the ability to facetime in real time with the people you care about the most.  I know there is a lot wrong with things in the world today, but this isn't one of them! Well depending on what time of the day they catch me anyways! They seem to always catch me in my jimjams, with no make up on and when my hair is a mess! 

 

My mother's headstone has been placed. My sister kindly send me a photograph of it.  I am sure it is a bit weird for her to see her name on it, but at least that is taken care of.  I have the burial plot next to this one and as soon as I can afford it, I am going to buy my headstone as well, so that is one less thing my children have to worry about.  It is nice to know that as a family we will pretty much be as close in death as we were in life.  My brother won't be there, that's the only thing, but there's room for him if he wanted to be.  

 

My dream of having red geraniums on the windowsil is close to coming true.  Todd picked up some geraniums the other day . . .  wait, they might not be red. I don't know what colour they are, and I doubt he remembers.  But at least he picked some up and I have them planted in their pots.  I am looking forward to them blooming.  Oh I do so love a mystery! 

  

Being able to go to church yesterday and partake of the sacrament, renewing my baptismal covenants and remembering the Saviour in a special way.  It makes for a great beginning, or ending to the week, or even both, depending on how you look at it.  I was very emotional in church yesterday.  All the hymns touched my heart, the testimonies, the sacrament.  There was a baby blessing.  It was all good. 

 

(Click here for the music)

 (Girls) I see my mother kneeling 

with our family each day. 

I hear the words she whispers 

as she bows her head to pray. 

Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears, 

And I am thankful love is spoken here. 

(Boys) Mine is a home where ev’ry hour 

is blessed by the strength of priesthood pow’r, 

With father and mother leading the way, 

Teaching me how to trust and obey; 

And the things they teach are crystal clear, 

For love is spoken here. 

(3rd ending) I can often feel the Savior near 

When love is spoken here. 

Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938  

 This is one of my absolute favourite children's hymns that the Primary Children sing in our church. It always touches my heart in a most tender way.  I am so grateful that I had a mother who taught me how to pray and who prayed for her family every single day. It was a great blessing to me.  I know she prays for us still and I am grateful for that knowledge. I know she was watching over Doug this past weekend and is close to all of us still, loving us and covering us with her mother's prayers always. 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *“I have held many things in my hands
 and I have lost them all. 
But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, 
that I still possess.”
 ~ Martin Luther•。★★ 。* 。  

  

I don't really have a recipe in the kitchen today  . . .  I'm basically just talking about food.  I did make this cake at the weekend. It is sugarless, flourless  . . .  and as good as it looks, it turned out to be flavourless and a pale imitation of what a cake actually should be.  Blah, blah, blah! 

 

Have a wonderful Monday.  I hope your week ahead is filled with plenty of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!  

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

 

And I do too!