Night sky

One of the hightlights of working night shift is the drive to work! Tonight is a warm, humid night. The moon is almost full and casting yellow light on my hands as I drive, and the stars are twinkling alongside the bright moon. Soft music is playing and I can't help but think of God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Words from Psalm 8 come to mind "When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them.."

I must admit, my heart has been heavy tonight with some great concerns. However, I am thankful for the joy that the "night sky" brings.

I arrive at work, my 84 year old father is in the lobby greeting me with some Pennsylvania-Dutch treats, "whoopie pies" to share with my co-workers.

So I begin another night shift.

Orie's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee Lord my soul to keep,
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee Lord, my soul to take

Dear Jesus,

Here I am, cradled deep within my mother, in my quiet, secluded home. It is now 22 weeks since I was made. I know that I am precious to You and am loved by You. You decided the colour of my eyes and whether my hair will be curly or straight. You are the One who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise You because of the wonderful way You created me. Everything You do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from You! Even before I am born, You have written in Your book everything I will do.
Please keep me safe in Your arms all the days of my life. Please bless Mommy and Daddy and keep them safe too.

Amen

Highlight

A few years ago, we had another very special person who joined with us in "The Retreat". That person was my sister, Phyllis, who passed away from cancer a little less than five years ago.

She and I developed a special morning routine. We would rise earlier than the others and make some fresh coffee. Then we'd head off the porch with a coffee in one hand and our "Face to Face" devotional in the other, going along the path leading up over some rocks, down a steep incline, and finally to our special place above the very large "Jesus Saves" rock which rises up several metres above the lake along the shoreline. The mist would be rising above the still waters in the lake below us, the silence being broken only by a loon, some chattering squirrels, or a jumping fish. We would pray together, sometimes cry and sometimes laugh hysterically together.

She has been gone for 5 summers now, but I still awaken early, grab my things, make the trek along the pathway until I reach that sacred spot where I have so many memories with one I loved so much who has departed, and continue to have an indescribably wonderful time with the One I love, who will never leave me.

Back to work!

Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for my job and my full time position working in Long Term Care, but we had such a great time on our vacation. It was truly extra special to holiday with my husband, children, their husbands, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, inlaws, old friends, new friends. The scenery at Camp Kahquah is spectacular. I love the lake with it's ever changing mood, the trees, the fresh air. While Tom fishes, I talk. It's great. This year, I didn't even bring a book to read.



We stay in the cabin called The Retreat, the same place I stayed when I attended Teen Camp in 1964. I can still remember some of the girls who were in that cabin with me. There was a little room off to the side of our room back then. A newly married couple was assigned to that little room barely separated from our roomful of teen aged girls. When I think of it, that was rather an unusual place for honeymooners to stay!



The Retreat was where my parents and we as children stayed at Family Camp when we were teens. I can still see Mom's electric frying pan and Dad's coleman stove set up to cook our meals on the same porch where I enjoy my grandchildren now.



Well, as I said, I'm back to work now. My Mom is now one of the 64 residents in the facility where I work. She is just a shadow of the strong, independent woman she used to be, being wheelchair bound, unable to swallow or speak well, with stiffened limbs, all resulting from the debilitating effects of Progressive Nuclear Palsy and of aging. It is sad, but I am thankful I am here, working in my professional life and being able to give her some extra attention and care.



I guess that's enough for now. Break's over, time to get back to work.

New beginnings....

L

It is late, the candle is burning, I have begun a new adventure, blogging! I enjoy the late evening time, especially when there is a cup of tea in my favourite china cup and another with whom to share intimate conversation.
I have named my blog "candlelight conversations" not only because I enjoy the stillness and quietness of enjoying the late evening, but because I have been working steady nights for almost two years now. So the title refers to the night time, which I have begun to have as my time to be up and about, to work, and be comfortable in.
I'm hoping that this new experience will give me an opportunity to process my thoughts, vent, and who knows, may-be recieve feed back now and again.
So here goes my first blogging experience....Connie