Beautiful Day in the Garden

Today was designated to be our flower-planting day. We had some purple petunias bordered with a tiny white strip, some fuschia-coloured wave petunias, some fuschia and white impatience and some tall orange marigolds to get planted. I also planted a deep pink azalea bush, two new red rose bushes which we had received as gifts upon the passing of Tom's mother, and a red peony which I had bought as a remembrance of my mother and my childhood home in Springvale. We were thankful that Ali and Aaron were both able to come to help. Tom is not feeling well these days, as he's had some new health issues emerge, so rather than do the planting, he directed the operation. The place looks beautiful. Having had so much rain and cool weather this spring, the lawn is verdant and the perennials are growing nicely. The soil is soft and easy to work in, and the sweet, delicate fragrance of the white phlox which Alicia gave me a few years ago, permeates the garden. What a wonderful day, planting in the garden!

The way home

I took a detour this morning on my way home from work, passing through Mt Olivet. I was looking for a lilac picture - as this area is famous for it's lilacs. However, this scene caught my eye instead.

Mother's Day

Once upon a time there was a very sad, childless woman who was so sad that she decided she could never go to church again on Mother's Day. Like Hannah of old, she prayed and prayed that God would grant the desire of her heart, that is that she could become a mother. God, is His wonderful love, and great sense of humour, answered her prayers...x4...within 4 years.

Thank-you Lord, for my wonderful, beautiful daughters.

Springtime....

While visitng my neighbour on May 12, this tree caught my eye. Spring has been cool this year, with lots of rain. The beauty of pinks and yellows against the background of lush green grass is a lovely sight after our long cold winter.

Sometimes it seems that life is just one continual funeral....

MOTHER'S DAY- After spending a wonderful day with many of our immediate family, (actually 25 us got together), Tom, Lucille and I returned home to relax a bit from our marathon of cooking 60 or so cabbage rolls, a triple recipe of lasagne, and the special chocolate birthday cake. About 1/2 hour later, a call came from Ohio. It was our sister in law, Janice, with some news. Tom's mother, Grandma Harper, 93 years of age, had quickly taken ill and passed on to the gloryland.
After plans were finalized with the need to be sure that all the children could be present (they were coming from Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, Ontario, as well as Ohio), we headed to the Massillon, Ohio area to await Thursday, the day of the funeral. This, despite the fact that as last minute plans had developed on Saturday, our cousin Sherrilin Heise from San Diego, California, only daughter of Mom's only brother, the late Clarence Heise, was visiting in our home. It was arranged that Lucille, visiting as well from Montreal, would take over the hostessing and the two of them would be just fine staying in our home when we left.
The funeral was a sweet and fitting tribute to the life of one loved so dearly by her family.
As we were finishing up her funeral, I made the comment "Sometimes it seems like life is just one continual funeral." We have had one funeral after another in our immediate family over the past few months (Alicia's daughter, Orie, Uncle Bob Solon, Grandma Heise, John Lambert, and now Grandma Harper), and then there have been ones outside the family circle as well. I guess as long as we live, there will people around us who come to the finish line, their race completed. Some have a shorter race ordained for them than others. Pain, separation, and grief are all part of the experience of our lives here on earth. Together as a family, we are managing to walk steadily along through these difficult times. I am so thankful for God's comfort and strength in these times. I am also very thankful for the strength that comes from being a part of such a wonderfully close-knit and supportive family.

Visit with Dr. Finkelstein

Yesterday Tom had another visit with his cardiologist, Dr Lorne Finkelstein, in Hamilton. Each visit is a pleasure, and the doctor is always entertaining, in his own unique way. A month ago, Tom described his condition to be "lousy". However after a few medication changes, he's now feeling much better, and both Tom and the Doctor are pleased.

Delightful Lunch

Wanda and Jeff visited us for a few days this week. Wanda lost her husband, Bob, in November. Yesteday, we had lunch in Hamilton at Rumak's, a polish retaurant, a favourite of Adrienne's. As you can see, Wanda, Jeff, Tom, Adrienne and her friend, Lisa, and myself, thoroughly enjoyed our time together!