She's Going Home Soon

Originally created on Saturday, January 16, 2010

She's going home to the Lord soon and I'm happy for her. She has a painful road ahead. That breaks my heart. She lived a good life, saw the world. She always shares her faith, never shares her regrets. She is a survivor...up until now. This one is a death sentence and there's nothing that can be done except pray for an easy departure from this world. It's hard to stand by and watch. And wait. Every moment is cherished now. Nothing is taken for granted. Her mood is somber. She keeps her fears to herself. The doctors give her 3-4 months. I give her less than that. The "I love you's" flow much easier and more frequently now. The good-bye hugs, more meaningful. We don't know if it will be the last time to share these sentiments. Like a well, the heart-to-hearts run deeper than ever. She's taking the time to enjoy the little things in life now like good conversation. She reflects on the good times of the past more frequently. Her time is near. She's ready. She will be missed, until we meet again. Finally, she will be free and renewed. She's going home to the Lord soon and I'm happy for her.

Winter Morning

Originally created on Monday, January 18, 2010

It’s foggy. It’s cold. The sun is not shining. What a beautiful morning! I drive the same route almost every day of the week, a winding, hilly country road specked with farms, old homes and woods.

The different seasons always bring a treat from nature. Springtime brings the sweet aroma of the olive bushes that grow wild on the side of the road. Summertime brings the welcome sound of the frogs in the roadside ponds and a dense population of fireflies. Autumn brings the crisp palette of changing leaves. Winter brings snowy hillsides and an easy view of deer grazing in the fields.

This morning was especially beautiful. Frost settled on the tree branches overnight, giving way to a serene beauty. Crows were perched in the branches, allowing quite a contrast for the eye to behold. It was almost as if I was driving through a black and white photograph. It’s amazing how something so simple could be so beautiful. These are the moments that make winter more bearable.

A Day In The (Country) Life

This post is was originally created on March 25, 2010
No matter where I drive, I tend to take notice of the environment as it passes me by. Yesterday’s travels through the countryside were no exception. As I drive through the country, I think about how it pertains to my life; mostly about what I really want…to be a true country girl. How I yearn for my own homestead, a piece of property to do what I desire like plant a big garden, have an orchard, maybe even raise a few chickens. As I was leaving the dairy farm yesterday, I noticed the cows in the pasture. I got excited thinking about the fact that newborn calves will soon be on their way. It’s always a joy to meet the newest members of the herd. As I drove further down the road, I saw maple trees being tapped, with metal buckets hanging around the tree trunks to collect the sap. This is always the promise of sweet maple syrup being made. Just beyond the trees, the sugar shack is billowing out black smoke from the smokestack, another tell-tale sign of that sweet goodness. As I passed up the farmer’s fields, bare and colorless, I couldn’t help but think about how in a few short weeks, they will be bursting forth with new, bright green shoots of corn, wheat and soy. It was in this moment that I realized the atonement between country living and wholesome food. So many of our basic needs are met right here in the country, from meats to produce, grains and so much more. The man-made bee hives are always easy to spot against the dark woods. Soon enough they will be buzzing with honey bees, working so hard for their queen. As I get back into town, I pick up my son from school. From there, we continue making our milk deliveries to the others in the milk group. As we’re leaving one home, I see the farmer running from her barn towards our car. She asks if we would like to see the lamb that was born just five minutes prior to our arrival. Of course! I never want to miss out on a learning opportunity for our kids. We get as close to the pasture as we can without scaring the new mama sheep. Not only do we see the newly born lamb (with fleece as white as snow), sleeping in the tall, brown grass is a brown lamb that was born a couple of hours earlier. The white lamb tries to stand so it can nurse. It was short lived as it did the splits and fell to the ground. Still it’s amazing how animals have the inborn ability to seek for what they need. To top off the day, my son got to pet a five year old chicken named Goldie. Country living is my way of life. Having lived here for only ten years now, I’ve embraced it and have learned to take advantage of all that it has to offer….even from my tiny house in my little town.