Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon

“The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers & cities; but to know someone who thinks & feels with us, & who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.”― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The view from my deck this morning was inspiring. As I stood there listening to the happy chatter of the birds—obviously they drink dark roast too—I looked at the little sliver of moon and thought of my friends in Western Canada who still slept under the same moon, and my friends to the east, Britain and Germany, who were well into their day, but were living under the same sky although the moon was no longer visible to them. It made the world seem smaller and my friends not so far away.

Sunday afternoon I lay down for a nap and listened to the birds outside my window and watched the sheers blow softly in the spring breeze. I drifted off to sleep and woke to the telephone ringing. My friend was calling me from England. We had a leisurely chat and shared the weeks news, knowing that although it cost, it is not excessive like it was just a few years ago. While the time difference is a challenge, we like to talk whenever we can time it right. We use Facebook and emails, and sometimes share an ongoing Scrabble game online; but there is nothing like hearing the warmth of her voice as she talks about her son, or hearing her sympathize ----and laugh, at my latest-- it could only happen to me story.

Both my Father’s and Mothers’ families are large and I have many cousins. Usually I see a few of them once a year at our family reunion or occasionally around the community. I have some of these cousins on my Facebook and I like to see what is going on in their lives, banter a bit and share family photos. I have two grown nephews living in Alberta and although they call sometimes, we mostly use Facebook to keep in touch.

I used to love to write letters—the old fashioned way. I would choose my words carefully, underline, punctuate…and write in ink. If I made a mistake, I would scrap it and start over again as many times as I needed to get it right, I went through massive amounts of paper. I would send it off and wait. Forever. Now we can type and choose fonts, add, delete, choose different words, cut and paste--check carefully-- and when satisfied, press enter and our letters are received immediately.

My mind was busy today thinking about the beautiful world we share; and the technology that makes it easier to share my part of the world with friends and family—and even people in my community. I took the above picture from my deck at 6am this morning; it was posted to Facebook and around the world before the sun had completely raised its' tousled head above the horizon.

Indeed this world--my world--where I live, love, breathe and share my heart, is an inhabited garden. There is the poignant silence of those who have graced my life with their love and friendship, but have moved on to eternity; and the delight of those who walk with me now. As we make our way around the moon tonight, and in turn take our rest, please know that I am thankful to God for those of you who choose to share my world--with love, Annie

It's About Time

It’s About Time

I am packed and almost ready to leave on my trip—a brief stop-over in Germany and nine days in England. Someone asked me two weeks ago, how long I have wanted to go to England. My reply was, ever since I could hold a Beatrix Potter book in my hand. I have had a couple of friends say, ‘Then it is about time’.

I was too little to know England was another country, or indeed what that meant. I just knew I wanted to go to this place where the greenest grass grew and stone fences were. The talking animals that dressed and lived in miniature houses appealed to me too, but somehow, if I am looking for them, I am thinking I may be disappointed.

I remember at Christmas when I was very little—the Queen’s address and the music that would play over the TV, and the pictures of London that went with it.

Over the years my picture of England has grown. My Father’s family came from England and my Mother’s family from Scotland --both in the early 1900’s, so there is also an appeal to go back to my ancestral roots.

It is still the countryside that appeals to me—the stone walls, and castles--cobblestone streets. It would be interesting to walk these streets and hear the whispered history of the people who walked them centuries ago. What did they think, or feel. What was their story.

My story is—I have always wanted to go to England, and my sense of urgency has increased the last twelve years. One of my dearest friends lives there, and I have missed her deeply. I can’t wait to see her again and finally meet her family.

As I sit here calmly sipping on my morning coffee, I realize it is about time for me to finish getting ready, because in an hour,  it will be about time  for Cheryl  to pick me up…..and I know from my driveway to Europe and back--we are going to have the time of our lives!!!

Blessed---Again....

(So I wrote this blog several months ago to share how rich and BLESSED my life has been with friends from my childhood as well as friends I have made along the way--some of whom are family as well...friends who now live a distance away..and friends new and old that I have gotten to know long distance, but have never had the joy and privilege of meeting.

On Thursday, I leave for England. Anyone who knows me knows how much I have wanted to see England--since I could hold Beatrix Potter books in my chubby hands. Not only do I get to see England, but I get to meet my friend from 25 years ago--and his family in Germany, new friends in Derby, England, as well as visit with my friend Annette and her family in North Yorkshire, England...and the  cherry on top is--I get to take this trip with one of my favorite troublemakers.  

I thought this trip MIGHT come in the next three years, but thanks to my whacked out 'cousin-friend 'Cheryl, we have been planning the trip for just over three weeks---I am beyond excited and thought it might be a good time to revisit this blog)!!!

BLESSED

Never shall I forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."

~ Ludwig van Beethoven

Blessed….

My earliest friendships would have to be with my sister Donna, and our two cousins, Cheryl and Carol. If Donna and I weren't with them, we were with our neighbors’ daughters Krista and Shelly. These are the friends with whom I played hide-and-seek , picked wild strawberries, swam in the brooks , caught fireflies, talked first crushes and generally got into trouble with—don’t even get me started.

Blessed…..

I have friends from my teenage years who suffered through the agony—mine and theirs—of my crushes on their brothers—they know who they are—I’d like to think their brothers don’t, but since I have always worn my heart on my sleeve and developed a serious stutter, I’m guessing they knew.

Blessed……

My friends Simon and Annette live in England. When I could not travel to their wedding I was still her maid of honor--in absentee. She and her husband honored me, and sent me a gift and a bouquet of flowers like I would have carried at their wedding. During the time of the ceremony I went to a quiet spot looking out over Belleisle Bay and asked God to bless their day and Marriage. I look forward to the day I travel to England to see Annette again and meet for the first time ,my friend Simon and their son, my godson, Harry.

Blessed….

I had a friend call me today from British Columbia. We have had so many good times together, road trips, slept out under the stars in her backyard. We have laughed together—and cried together. We have disagreed occasionally, about her nagging ,(advising), me about my driving. Now we live thousands of miles and four hours apart. Today she called and I listened to her heart breaking. I wish I was closer.

Blessed…

To have new friendships, one with a Mom I work for, and one with a Mom I hope to work for.

Blessed…..

To reconnect with a friend from twenty five years ago, and touched to know I had not been forgotten and that we still thought of each other occasionally.

Blessed, Blessed, Blessed….

The list goes on and on and on…..Friendship does not depend on being in each other’s presence, although it is especially satisfying when your elbows are on the same table. Friendships new and old are the echoes of respect and affection, and memories shared--and the longing to know and be known, whether you are a constant in each others lives, an ocean apart—or haven’t met yet.

Be Blessed……