January 2

Some days it is easy to be grateful. The beauty that is around us and the beauty we create... in this case for the occasion of celebrating Christmas makes me appreciate our Creator. This may be plastic, but it is a reminder of the intricacies of a snowflake.

Real snow is even more amazing and beautiful... even if we don't always appreciate the cold that accompanies it. But I look at this scene and remember all the suppers and breakfasts we ate out here this summer, and it makes me happy. I know the snow won't last forever, and we will sit out here again next summer.

Einar never forgets our anniversary - whether with a card or flowers, or just dinner out together. I love the smell of carnations and smile every time I see this bouquet on our coffee table.

Today we attended a church from the same conference as our Calgary church. I was grateful for familiarity. There is something to be said for meeting people who know your friends. Or who work with your daughter. Or who have worked in the same circles as you have. I would even add... or who are related to you. But for once, I don't think we met a relative. At least not as far as I know. But if we keep going here, we will. We just don't know it yet.

Today we shared a meal and a lazy afternoon with my niece. I love lazy afternoons on a Sunday or holiday. No pressure to accomplish anything. Just coffee and a book (or facebook.) A call to my dad who is still going strong at 94. And a chance to spill out my thoughts on the blog.

The gift of January 2, 2011

Fall in the city

It is September 14th, and fall is creeping up on us. The heat of summer has disappeared, and the days are sunny and cool. The leaves are beginning to change color. I have always loved the changing seasons, and fall brings with it feelings of anticipation... as if something great is just around the corner. Perhaps a feeling that comes from those years when I looked forward to another school year.

But it is also an ending. And there is an urgency to take full advantage of the days we have left before winter arrives. There is a need to spend the last days exploring whatever there is to explore. The instinct is to head to the mountains.

We left the Rockies behind, and Kananaskis is no longer a weekend option. So we must compensate. We must find the beauty that is here. Each place has a beauty of its own.

Our destination today was Kildonan Park, not far from where our kids live. Rachel & I picked up Haley and took her and Josiah out for fresh air. No mountains here, but the trees... ah, the trees! We meandered through the flower gardens. Everything grows in Manitoba is what my friends tell me. I'm not sure about 'everything', but I have had a much easier time with my flower gardens here than I ever did in Alberta.

And when we had seen the flowers, we stopped to watch the ducks, and to watch Haley watching the ducks. Everything is so much better when seen through the eyes of a child. Josiah slept peacefully in his snuggly, and Haley tried out the baby swings, and even without a vocabulary, I knew she was asking for more when I took her out of the swing. So, of course, she got more.

We found the river walk, and passed by the picnic tables and fire pits which we will have to try out very soon. A fall picnic is just been added to our schedule. And next year, it will be both Haley & Josiah wanting more of the swings, more of the ducks, and hopefully, many more picnics by the river. We've found a little bit of heaven right here in Winnipeg.