The velveteen rabbit is one of my favourite stories. I have only just discovered it since becoming a full-fledged velveteen rabbit myself, with hair which has been loved off, loose joints and more than a morsel of shabbiness about me. I guess I am pretty real. The thought of that makes me smile.
Real comes from growth. Not growth of the physical kind (although there has been plenty of that to be sure, and mostly from around and not up!) but growth of the spiritual and emotional kind.
Growth generally comes from having all of your edges knocked off. What doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. I am at the point now where I think I am quite strong enough thank you very much. I can't get much more real. I would like to stop growing for a while and be able to catch my breath.
This is my last day here and I have a bazillion things to do. I did fall asleep last night about midnight and slept pretty much through to 5 am today, so that was good. I guess I am just having a hard time stopping things from mulling around in my mind.
Yesterday I had Amy and Josh (Tina's grandson and wife) here helping me to sort things even more. Amy took photos of things and she is going to try to sell what she can for me. Josh took me to carphone warehouse to help me sort my phone. We discovered they no longer support my mobile provider, so I had to come home and sort it on the phone.
Everything is so complicated. I wanted to do the right thing and pay out my contract. They wouldn't let me. I had to set up a new direct debit on my new account, so that they can continue to take out the money over the next ten months. I tried. This was my first experience with people not wanting to take money from you when you are trying to give it to them.
I cancelled all of the direct debits on the joint account. I couldn't cancel the utilities over the phone. They want to talk to the account holder. Sorry folks. He's not here. No can do.
My next door neighbor came and sat with me for a while. I think that was the first time we have ever done that. She also managed to get the remainder of my prescriptions for me. when you need something doing, send in a Brit with plenty of fire. They get things done. And quickly.
Tina came and sat for a while. I have been so blessed to have this woman as my friend over these past years, and in ways I could never have imagined. God is indeed very good. He puts people in right places before you even know you will need them there. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the ultimate chess player.
I spoke to all three of my older children, and three of my grandsons, who are very excited for me to come home. I told them be prepared to bake! (when the time comes)
The Prison Chaplain finally called me, about 3 PM. It took a day and a half after his sentencing for anyone to contact me and even then he did not tell me much of anything. All he could do was give me a contact address. I finally had to call the actual court to find out anything for sure. And they were very rude to be honest. Totally lacking in compassion. What is wrong with people today?
Last evening sweet Ariana came over, on her own, without Grace and we had a long chat and a boo hoo about things. This is my daughter away from home. She will always be in my heart.
So today I need to finish packing my suitcases. I need to say my last goodbyes. I need to get some money changed to Canadian money. I need to pack some clothes for Todd into a box so that when and if he ever gets out, he has something to wear. I need to tie up all the loose ends and then just be ready to go.
Please pray that I will be able to travel in health and safety until I get to my end destination. I know that you will. I have felt your prayers and support all along. They have held me aloft and I know they go with me and I am MOST appreciative of each and every one. And keep clicking on The English Kitchen, even if there is nothing new there for a week or two. Please, please, please. Just spend a minute or two there, scrolling. That is what will help keep me going until I can get my pension in place, and who knows how long that will take. It could be six months.
I hope I get back pay.
Here's to the journey ahead. As always I know it will be hard. The things in life which have the most meaning to us often come at a high price and with lots of work involved. I have never been a quitter or a person to just lay down and say die. I might have the odd wobble and I may shed a few tears along the way, but I never say die. What's the worst that can happen?
Well, if it does, I will be in a far better place. Either way I will be in a far better place than where I am now. This is a journey that is well worth the risk.
And so I will say adieu for today. I will catch you on the flip side from Motel Quarantine in the heart of the valley situated on one of the jewels of the Maritimes. God be with you and with me. I love you all so much and am so appreciative of each and every one of you. Bless you. Bless you. Bless you.
A thought to carry with you . . .
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*.˛.Boats don't sink because
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*.˛.Boats don't sink because
of the water around them,
they sink because of the
water that gets in them.
~unknown•。★★ 。* 。
I will catch you on the flip side. Have a great day and don't forget!