The momentous day has arrived! Yes, today, September 30, 2016 is Mike's last day working at Bell Canada, affectionately known to many as Ma Bell. With over 38 years continuous service, he has certainly earned his upcoming time of freedom. I deliberately didn't say leisure, at least not yet. We might better leverage the transition time while he's still geared up to work everyday, only now he can do it around the house, catching up on all those things that have been left 'until he has time'. Even today he rode his bicycle to work like every other day. Keep in mind though, since returning to work on the 19th he has been assigned very little real tasks, other than checking in with the crews of colleagues he's spent time with for so many years. Of course cleaning out his truck was of importance since it's being reassigned to another crew member, many of whom can only wish for a bucket truck. In every workplace there seems to be echelons or hierarchies of one kind or another. In this case, with every technician, their reliance on a vehicle is a top priority and these 'Cadillacs of the Cables' are hard sought after. For Mike though, it's time to turn in the truck, hang up the spurs (yes he still climbed poles when needed using metal spurs) and put the work phone on call forward to 'out of office' permanently. Congratulations Mike, a genuinely hard working individual who always represented his company as the 'face of Bell' with kindness and courtesy.
Mike's retirement is starting off on a high note. Between Nathalie and the two of us, we are caring for 3 grandchildren for the weekend and then some; like until after school dinner time on Monday. Arrival should be in time for dinner, hence my attempt to have the fingers fly at warp speed to write as much of this post as possible, followed by activities that all 8, 6 and 2 year olds get involved with. While some may wonder why and how we would do such a thing, think of it in a sort of inside out way. Everyone wishes they could spend more time with family and friends. By Mike retiring, we are able to do that by helping our kids by looking after their kids. In other words, we GET TO spend time the way that many others just wish for, and somehow may not be able to. At this point it's Saturday morning and I'm making the effort to connect with you before the day runs away on us.
As far as medical progress, or update, I had only one appointment again which was with my family doctor to do bloodwork and review the 'normal' things of life. We reviewed the results with the conclusion that in all ways but one, I'm a very healthy individual. The 'cancer thing' is tucked away in a box for now in order to get an otherwise balanced look at my overall health. Other than being anemic, everything else is in order with no issues around sugar, cholesterol, or any other potential concerns. I take nothing for any typical age related problems like diabetes, heart or blood pressure. This all contributes to boosting my medical mind shift in considering myself healthy until symptoms develop that indicate otherwise.
Next appointment with oncologist is Tuesday, the 4th simply for follow up and the likelihood that we agree to carry on living every day of our lives to the best of our ability, accepting limitations as they occur. The aches continue in all my joints and my empathy for people with bad joints, especially knees, has sky rocketed. No wonder people hobble around with pain wracking their faces with every step they take. Maybe that's why we go through such trials, just to get a sample of what others deal with every day. Given that I had 55 years of excellent health, I guess it's my turn to sample the 'other side'. The saving grace of course is being able to spend time in the pool, free of all side effects, just bobbing about and walking with no limitations. I also intentionally drive the little extra distance to go to the central Y rather than the west end as it provides opportunities for interaction with a wide variety of individuals.
You may wonder why meeting different people is of interest when the purpose of the visits is for exercise. What I find is a chance to talk with people with disabilities, from different cultures, the elderly along with many others. In order to protect privacy I won't disclose any one individual but suffice it to say that the experience is heartwarming and touching. It provides a chance to be friendly to those we may not encounter in our regular daily lives. A natural congregating of people whom you may otherwise have to seek out to meet and learn about. For me, I've also wondered for a long time why my volunteer work has always leaned toward the leadership, board level rather than the hands on, one on one roles. It reminds me of my days as a candy striper at the local hospital, donning the prettiest pink striped frock to provide meals and help many patients unable to feed themselves. It was such a positive experience that, sadly, was not repeated too many more times.
in life it seems we isolate ourselves from those less fortunate, even to the point of having charitable organizations pick up items at our door rather than delivering them in person.
These sorts of things leave me pondering what is the best use of my time in this new stage of life. Clearly God has allowed drastic changes to occur, even to the point of changing my physical appearance to the point of not being recognized by those I've known for 30 years or more. I mentioned in my last post that the reason to get up every day is to love and serve God. You may think I'm sounding like some bible thumping radical but I'm not. Not at all. Lately I find the more I stay open, the more providential things happen every day. Like what? Well, I met one friend four days in a row in a variety of circumstances. To my surprise on day four, he actually told a third person that he wanted to discuss something with me. Imagine the further jolt when he disclosed a very sensitive and uncomfortable situation that he'd experienced at a function we'd both attended. We had a fruitful conversation about different ways of looking at the interaction and how he might move forward with it. I can only say it was the help of the Holy Spirit that was present during that discussion.
We attended a charity fundraising dinner at the end of August, another event that opened our eyes to how life is for those in less than ideal, Leave it to Beaver, lifestyles. It was a fundraiser to support the families of those who are incarcerated. Given the high ratio of prisons in this area, most of us have come in contact with such families likely without having any knowledge of their circumstances. One of the most powerful impressions left with us was the individual behind the effort. It was a young man, never expected to be able to function normally due to cerebral palsy, speaking with eloquence and passion. He has become a prison chaplain with a masters degree education, interviewed enough individuals to write a book and has now established an endowment fund to support them. He and his wife, very strong Christians, see this as their 'child' having none of their own. It was extremely well organized and well worth the price of admission. The comment that has left an impact on me from his wife, after the event, was that God was looking after their personal affairs while they were out doing His work. Certainly something that makes you go "Hmmmmm".
This tied in very well with our recent topic at what I've come to call Church School on Tuesday nights. The subject matter is centred on the Holy Spirit with this week's session being 'Fruits of the Holy Spirit'. The film was moving to the point I made notes to share a few with you. It talked of one of the sure signs being that of a feeling of Joy. We all laughed when the host described Catholics as people walking around like they were baptized in lemon juice!! It seems that a Herculean effort is being made to remake the face of our church with permission to enjoy the fruit that is available to us. We don't need to walk around trying to evangelize others by finding the right words. I know that would be very difficult for me to do despite all the classes and seminars I've been to over the past few years. What I can do though is to share what lights up my own life. Success can be measured simply by displaying something others find 'different', like joy, like peace, like a calm demeanour, like patience and generosity. A tiny example from going to the Service Ontario office yesterday. An elderly couple were outside as the lineup was to the door and the man's walker would have been difficult to navigate inside with the number of people. I heard them say they might better come back another day to which I suggested they wait a little while as I would hold their place in line. A couple of young men ahead of me offered to let them go ahead of them. Simply by letting them know of their 'progress in line', they visibly became more calm and relaxed. In almost no time, we were able to invite them in as they were at the front of the line. Simple? Yes. Easy? Yes. Helpful? Yes Big Deal? Not to us, but maybe to them for who knows how much effort it is for them to get out and about. Joy? Absolutely, that such a small act could be so helpful. These days, I start with asking to be surprised at what I may encounter remaining much more open to such simple invitations.
I'd like to end today's post on a positive note - imagine that! A friend shared with me the following saying: "If you are the salt of the earth (and don't we all hope we are), you make others thirsty for God". Well, I'm off to get my Sifto Salt raincoat on and face the surprises of the rest of the day.
Take care, enjoy the beautiful fall days ahead of us and Happy Thanksgiving.
Hugs,
Liz
dobbsjones@gmail.com
"Prayers, wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive".
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