LOOKING FOR A SIGN

You find yourself at a crossroads; you can turn right, left, straight or maybe turn around and go back where you came from. What are you going to do?

Do you make the big move? Do you take that new job? Do you marry him/her? Do you stay or do you go now? 

I’m coming up to one of those life crossroads. In a few weeks I’m retiring and suddenly there are a lot of new options with a lot of decisions. Do I go right? Left? Straight? Turn around and head right back into the workforce? 

In Judges Chapter 6, a nervous young man named Gideon has been asked to lead the charge against the enemy. So he puts out a fleece and asks God to give him a sign: make the  fleece wet and the ground dry. No problem says God and the fleece wrings out enough water to fill a bowl but the ground is dry. Gideon, still needed to make sure he was going in the right direction. So he asks God the next night to make the fleece dry and the ground wet. Sign confirmed and Gideon gathers the men for war. 

There is nothing wrong with asking for some direction! The universe is sending out signs all the time. 

Daffodils blooming are a sure sign spring is on the way. Cardinals are often considered a sign from those who have died that all is well and they are still close by. 

But what about me? I’m looking for a sign about my future direction. I’m bouncing it off good friends and loved ones. I’m praying!

So the other day I’m driving around and lo and behold..some clear direction on what to do after retirement! A sign from heaven!

Message received!

WARMING UP ON A COLD NIGHT

 

All across Canada on Feb. 24, communities gathered to raise funds and awareness for the homeless in their community. In my little town, it was hosted by Grace Inn, our local shelter for the homeless.  

I have volunteered in various roles for the "Coldest Night of the Year" for almost 10 years now: a greeter and guide, working the registration table, counting all the money, standing in the snow holding a sign directing which way to go, bombing around in my Mini-cooper to be on hand should someone need a break and take a lift, and this year my role was to hand out hats, buttons and stickers. 

Some of the volunteers prepping for the crowd

Somehow, we've always managed to have pretty decent weather for a winter walk. And this year, though it was bright and blue,

It was Cold....VERY COLD.  

And yet the volunteers showed up early, set up tables and signs and did whatever was required to organize a walk for this important cause

Then the community showed up! In Droves! Young and old, famous and important or every day Joe Blow.

 

Even this big fuzzy mascot from our local hockey team made an appearance

I checked my lists with frozen fingers and handed out hats nonstop along with another volunteer. My hot chocolate was ice cold along with my feet. I wrapped up in a big blanket but nothing was going to stop my shaking after a few hours in the cold. 

Finally the speeches were made and the walkers were off!

The local goal was $75,000 and last I heard we were up to $67,000 with monies still coming in! 

It is hard to imagine anyone spending the night outdoors when the temperature plunges and a Canadian winter sets in. I'm very grateful that our community is willing to show tremendous support, opening their hearts and their wallets to help others warm up on a cold night. 

When I got home my husband ran a hot bubble bath for me. After a good soak and a hot cup of tea, I managed to de-ice. 

Thank you, Grace Inn for being amazing hosts and organizing the walk. Thank you Belleville for your compassion and participation.

And thank you Sheldon for running that bath for me! 

FAMILY DAY IS A-OK WITH ME

Thanks to Family Day, I had a 3-day weekend which is always a welcome break but especially in the dead of winter. 

So what to do…..well there was a lunch date with my daughter, son-in-law and perfect grand children and I spent some time in the kitchen. 

I’ve been trying out different recipes including this one:

A banana chia pudding topped with cashew cream and homemade granola. This was a nice protein rich treat!

And I made homemade pizza dough (had to share the sunbeam with Sasha for a warm place to proof). Everybody gets a stool!

But it was a beautiful day to spend entirely indoors

Clear cerulean skies, fresh crisp air; a perfect day for a hike in the woods.

Lulu checking out the trail at Massassauga Point

The old quarry was a warm sheltered place to hang out

With open water on the Bay, Ice fishing has been a bit of a bust this year. 

Winter is not my favourite time of the year, but even I can appreciate a sunny winter day with a palette of white, grey, blue and bare black branches etched in. 

Family Day is a low key holiday with no pressure to put on a big meal or buy gifts. Just enjoy the downtime with whoever you call “family”. 

It’s A-OK with me.

THE SPACE BETWEEN

 

Happy New Year and welcome to 2024! Are you ready to jump in? The water might be beautiful or really cold but there is only one way to find out. 

This past week between Christmas and New Years is usually a vague fuzzy time. It’s the space between the great finale of one year and the transition to a new one. 

If you think about space it involves time and waiting. It allows you room to move or a moment to rethink. “Just give me some space!” Space between can be a good thing. Sometimes, space is not what we want. It is a lonely place filled with waiting. 

But I think there is much to be said for the space between. It adds depth, beauty and insight. 

Space in music is what makes a piece richer with perfect timing. 

“A hope deferred makes a heart sick but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life”. Proverbs 13:12

“The waiting is the hardest part” Tom Petty

2024 will surely hold times where there is space between. It may be just what I need or just what I don’t want, but I hope I can embrace them: learn from them. For I believe when the space between is closed and the desire fulfilled the fabric of my life will be richer.