Hey, good Saturday to you from our same ol' corner of the world where Spring has sprung...at least that is my story and I am sticking to it! Yes, we had a bit of snow this week a couple of times, waking up to snow this morning, but the temps are rising and this last ditch effort from winter doesn't get to stick around. We are waving good-bye to Winter and embracing Spring with the hope it always brings. A new season is rising!
Speaking of a new season rising, welcome to April! And soon the end of Lent...and the beginning of Holy Week and then Easter! April also brings with it birthdays of two grandchildren, and two grandmothers who will be celebrating from Heaven once again. My mother was born on April 2nd, 1910. That would be 112 years ago today. She died at age 92. One of my favorite things to do with her as an adult was dance. She would come spend a week or two with us every year as we moved around the country. We would put on some country music and do the two step around our kitchen/dining areas. She was the smoothest dancer...one of those who's upper body was still while from the waist down she kept a perfect dance step. And like me, she loved to dance. A few months ago I felt her presence here at home and I actually said out loud..."Mom, let's dance!" I put on some music and "we" danced around the dining room. Silly? Maybe. Was she really there? Probably not. But my heart was warmed by another dance with my mom. Imagination can be a beautiful thing,
Speaking of imagination, this past week we watched the movie, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" with Judy Dench and Maggie Smith among others. We have seen it before, but felt like revisiting it. It is quite enjoyable as it tackles retirement and aging with humor and honesty. There are not that many movies we like to watch, although the movie Coda and also The Adam Project are on our list. A long time ago I went to school and became an interpreter for the deaf......working in the school system. Our two oldest went to a school in St. Paul MN where deaf students were mainstreamed into the classes so sign language was part of their "vocabulary" for those years. So, the movie CODA holds interest for us for more than one reason.
As I write this Joel is busy mopping/steaming the wood floors in the house. It has been awhile and our house is in need of deep cleaning. I thought about all that has gone on this week, actually, the past two plus years, and it came to mind that as people we need "deep cleaning" periodically too. Looking deep inside and observing where we are at. This morning as I was using the lymphedema pump I listened to a couple of podcasts by Brene' Brown regarding grief and also the pandemic (in 2020). She talked about how important it is to validate our feelings. I realized that there were times I was saying exactly what she said not to say during the pandemic....Things like, "Well, we have it really good. No need to be stressed by this. We have enough food, a nice home, don't have to work, etc." Recognizing and giving thanks for all we have is a good thing, but dismissing our own deep emotions over what was going on is not healthy. Covid was not the "norm" and adjusting to the changes was at times difficult for all of us.
This took me back to The Philippines. When we lived off base, it was such a different world than we had ever experienced. The bugs and snakes alone were bad enough but often our safety from people was an issue. As Americans we hired 24/7 guards to protect us, had bars on our windows and thick heavy doors with locks that went into the cement floors. Flood lights were on every corner of our house and there was a cement wall surrounding our house with heavy iron gates to lock at night. This was the "norm". It was more than a little stressful and sadly one of our neighbors could not handle it all. She ended up going back the the USA and leaving her hubby behind. It was just too much for her. Most of us were able to cope and adjust to living in a third world............but our prayer life expanded greatly while living there.
Getting back to the movie we watched this week......."The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", took place in India, so it transported us back to the Philippines with it's busy crowded streets, poverty, and culture. I confess that I love the linen, gauzy type of loose clothing that fits their climate in India. Anyway, after more than 4 decades since we left the islands, those two years still have a powerful impact on our lives.
We went for a short drive last night out into the country. We saw several deer at dusk, and enjoyed a bit of a sunset. We miss the country and it is nice that in five minutes we can be there....with the fields, farms, animals, an groves of trees to enjoy.
So speaking of enjoy..........I am grateful this week for sunsets, temperatures to melt the snow, clean floors, lymphedema pumps, podcasts and YouTube videos at my fingertips, phone calls from family and friends, fun movies and memories of the P.I., memories of my mom, walking 35 min. daily, prayers and the promises of God, and so much more.
Enjoy your weekend!
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