Turning the Page to September

Doesn't it seem like when we turn the calendar page to September it's one of the biggest of the year?

We still technically have three weeks of the season we call summer yet we all seem to make a major shift into fall mode despite the humidity that has crept up on us and the heat that we looked for in August.  It's almost like a new year begins for all of us as we get 'back into the routine' that we know is inevitable with schools returning to classes, summer vacations quickly becoming a fleeting memory and the promise to get back on track with our routines that were cast off like a too tight bathing suit - boy have I had that experience this year!!!!  Hence the self promise of getting back to 'the plan' of exercise and healthy eating.  On a humorous note I recall my sister in law Barb, the year she retired from teaching elementary school and told me how today (then), the first day of school, she sat outside enjoying the morning sipping mimosas while toasting the start of another school year without having to participate.

I continue to feel well, all things considered and find the more I move the more I can move without stiffening up.  Maggie (the name of my imaginary friend that represents my 70 pound weight gain) and I seem to have found a settling point where I'm not so anxious about her presence and we are getting along much better.  One reader gently suggested that 'wanting' one thing or another from Maggie or myself is really a circuitous route that could leave one forever on a virtual roundabout driving from one want to another.  She is right about that, the head knows that 'want begets want' and the old saying of rather than having what we want, it's better to want what we have.'
   

Something I've pondered of late is a saying about 'letting life happen' and just allow the plan unfold according to God's will. It's another one of those concepts that I wrestle with trying to reconcile being the best that I can be without directly participating in the process.  What about having to have a plan so that God can help direct our steps?  If I have no plan and decide to just let life happen, am I going to just aimlessly go through my days that have become far more precious within the past year? Perhaps the best way to discover the answer is to try it. Maybe I will set aside a week without plans - we all know that will be a monumental task - and check out what the experience at the end of it. One of the great things about my current circumstance is that I have the time and the freedom to try it.

I cannot let this post go by without thanking everyone for their ongoing support through prayers, beams of positive white light and good thoughts that continue to surround me like fluffy clouds on a warm summer's day.  The reason I feel so well is definitely attributed to the collective positive energy that streams my way from so many caring and compassionate souls.

The last couple of weeks have been very busy with Mike on vacation and our plans to visit and get in as much time on his motorcycle as possible.  Not to mention the bigger news of the arrival of Matilda Rae Belles on the 23rd of August, the day after our fifth wedding anniversary!

That makes seven grandchildren with only one boy.  All went well and she weighed in at 9 lb.15oz.  Do you ever wonder why with all our advancement in the metric system, everyone still thinks Imperial when it comes to the size of babies when they're born?  Just a random thought.

We worked our way north through Pembroke, stopping for an overnight visit with Kirk, my brother in law (brother of my first, late husband Rick), then on to North Bay to spend a couple of days with my brother Andrew.  He and Mike had some rides planned out including one around Lake Nipissing. Of course I had the option to decline if I 'didn't feel up to it'.  Now tell me, really, is that something that would willingly come out of my mouth?  Having grown up as the youngest and considerably smallest, there has been a streak of what is now known as 'counter will' rather than stubbornness.   Imagine a petulant little imp staring you down with a look of 'don't tell me I can't. '  The more you tell me, the greater the effort to take part in whatever might be going on.  Add that to insatiable curiosity and a desire to be included, well needless to say I went on any and all rides over the weekend.

The fresh northern air blew through my brain, clearing out cobwebs like a new broom in an old attic.  Thoughts and ideas took shape almost like an energizing balm to my senses.  It makes one appreciate the gifts of discernment and contemplation.  We passed a sign outside a church with a saying that illustrates the concept - 'Action without thought is like firing without aim'.  I don't know about you but I find in today's world too many people are running around firing out decisions without really considering the original objectives or the ramifications of those decisions.  In so many ways I continue to offer gratitude for the blessings of where I am in my life right now.

Had I not fallen down the rabbit hole of illness and prolonged treatment I too might be firing without aim and taking lots of action without thought, having to undo, redo or abandon altogether projects and activities that at the time seemed so very important.  Hmmmm, have I just uncovered another insight?  How much of our time is really spent doing worthwhile, productive things that we are pleased with and feel has helped improve the world even a little bit? Maybe the idea of letting life happen is more about letting go of the breakneck speed we are trying to maintain and being more open to the life giving slower activities, much like nature, that take time and far less physical and emotional effort to accomplish.  They do say that when we find our niche, it's like we don't work a day.  More food for thought.

Last time I commented on wanting to address the whole notion of what our legacy will be.  Most often people automatically think of financial legacies and what they plan to do with their money.  And of course the majority don't even entertain the thought of giving elsewhere if they have children of their own.

Interestingly, even financial advisors are helping people think in broader terms to better understand the legacy one can leave through their 'testament'.  What are the values one hopes to leave imprinted on the hearts and minds of family and friends?  What do you wish to have your life stand for when you are gone?  I've often been drawn to those pictures with sayings below them, and one that stands out for me is the one about, no one will care about how much money you have, or the car you drive etc. if you have made the difference in the life of a child - and in my view it can be anything else for that matter.  For example, I took 3 year old Ella to visit my Dad's friend Doris who is 92,  at 'the home'.  As we walked Doris to dinner, Ella of course was the centre of attention.

After she willingly gave two women hugs, they sincerely exclaimed that it was worth 'a million dollars'.  Are you feeling the same surge of joy in your heart as I am to hear such a response?

My job at the hospital foundation was talking to generous people about leaving a financial legacy yet it was my modest upbringing that laid the imprint on my core set of values of how a relatively small gift can make a big difference.  My dad played the hospital lotteries for many years and always said if  he won $1000 he would give my brother and I each 10%, and the church 10%.  Well wasn't Lady Luck on his side and in our growing up years, he did win the $1000, I believe twice, and sure enough the shower of generosity rained on us and we were given $100 each - a monstrous sum at the time - to do as we liked.

Years later when Dad sold his home, well before the time that house prices actually went over $100K, he took $500 to the church.  I didn't hear this story until much later in his life.  After the initial greeting of the priest, Dad's gift almost made the poor Father topple over.  He told Dad that the furnace in the church had broken down and he had no idea how he was going to have it repaired.  On hearing that story and tucking it into the pocket of my own father's testament, I almost burst with a desire to share that kind of generosity with others.  Here, a man who placed the raising of his two children ahead of his own career advancement, continued to maintain his values providing to those causes that were important to him.  A man who delivered Sears catalogues without a car, to build up a 'going away account' so he could leave something for his kids. In my estimation, my dad lived the life of a millionaire as he adjusted to life as it came his way, riding out the hardships without losing his dignity or his sense of humour.  May I too embrace that kind of testament in my life.

Even as I write this post, I reflect on the plans I had for today and what has happened so far.  I did get up for mass and planned to come home and get back into the exercise routine I mentioned earlier.  Well didn't one friend ask to come over to help her with a banner she's making - 'of course' I said.  On getting home to have my tea and do my daily Bible reading didn't another friend call to drop by and while the first friend was here a third one called to connect which we promised to do tomorrow and while the second friend was here a call came that I have yet to return.  OK God, I guess you want me spending time with those who care about me and be open to the magic that is in those relationships.  The exercise can be fit in later when the blog post is finished I guess!  I'm quite surprised at the content of today's message and even more so on how easily and quickly it came about.  As usual my hope is that someone has gained some insight or something to ponder in their own life and if so, then it's been a wonderful experience.

Take care, enjoy the changes in the air that come with the arrival of September, the cooler nights that make sleeping a decadent activity and the gentle arrival of fall colours.

Until next time, take care and God Bless,
Hugs
Liz

"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive".