13 Hours of Rain

It was a powerful moment. Your cousin shared excerpts of typical teenage drama in front of extended family. People listened with rapt attention. Laughter burst forth at poignant moments. Hushed silence captured the room as wise conclusions were reached about high school romances. Some advice was offered by adults. But mainly, we just wanted to listen. I couldn’t help but step back and return to my childhood. Beginning at Grade 1, I had a crush on a new boy practically every other year until I graduated from high school. Almost all of the boys had blond hair and blue eyes. I never dated any of them publicly or in secret. Dating was frowned upon by your Nana and Nani. While the act of dating was not attributed as wrong, it was deemed unwise, especially as a teenager. Most teenagers are pretty immature when it comes to matters of the heart, so we were strongly advised to avoid infatuations and focus on more pressing priorities. After all, your Nana and Nani believed in appropriate stage...

I've been contemplating the issue of diet and learning to control disease through food (or elimination of certain food) instead of reaching for the opaque vile full of pharmaceuticals. It is challenging to do such. And while a more natural way of addressing illness is becoming more popular in today's day and age, it is still considered alternative medicine. I can get 10 minutes of my doctor's time for "free" and receive a prescription for $5, covered under our drug plan. Or I can see a Naturopath for 30 minutes at $80 and receive suggestions for supplements that can cost up to $100 per month. Thankfully, your Daddy's health plan covers Naturopaths up to 80% (though the supplements are not covered). I believe I am finished accessing the services of my Naturopath for the time being. Why? I think she has done all that she can for me. She has provided me a tool kit of possible supplements to consume as well as sound dietary advice to follow. Do I think she was w...

 Our Batman with his Batmobile  "You know what the fastest jet is?" you asked today to test my knowledge as you finished up your broccoli. "I don't know," responds my tired mind as I wash the dishes. "A Cheetah Jet!" "There is no such thing," I automatically voice, without entertaining your creative logic. "I'm pretending!" you explain. "Oh yes, sorry. You are right. A Cheetah Jet!" Son, please forgive your Mommy, as I often walk around mentally checking off to-do lists, so much so, that I forget to really listen to you. You are imaginative. Creative. And I believe your mind is mathematically inclined. You relish games. You value a good puzzle. You synthesize complex patterns (for a preschooler). You walk around, studying your little fingers and exclaiming, "2 + 5 is 7!" Sometimes I forget the joy of being a child as I study grocery prices in the flyer or enter digits into our monthly bud...

Well, I made it. I managed to post for forty consecutive days as a sacrifice of praise over the course of Lent. And I must say it has been an enlightening and empowering journey. I've been blessed with several gifts during this season of preparation. I was once again reminded that there is always something to be thankful for, no matter how good or bad my day is unravelling. I had a few rough moments over the course of the forty days. Some days, I felt quite misunderstood. Other days, I felt awful gut-wise. At other moments, I felt the lost of dreams and aspirations and goals. Yet, there were many, many moments in which I smiled at the beauty of the everyday. A preschooler's giggle. A school girl's observations on life. A husband's comical teaching anecdote. The sunshine. Red grape tomatoes. Now we are entering "Passion Week" or "Holy Week" in the Christian faith, a time in history that was incredibly dark and hopeless. This morning during our...

Occasionally we have movie night, where we get all cozy downstairs and watch an animated feature as a family. Last night we watched "Finding Nemo". I really like that show. Such a great story! I am thankful for movie nights. Here is one of my favourite clips:

I am thankful for friends. And I realize through the walk of life that one has different kinds of friends for different kinds of needs and occasions. Kindred Spirits . I owe this phrase to one of my favourite movies of all time "Anne of Green Gables". I have a few kindred spirits in my life, which is good, because they wouldn't be kindred if such friends were common. These people just "get me" as they share many of the same values as me. They understand how I think, because they often think the same way. They are loyal. They speak my "love language" of quality time and affirmation. They choose to be on my side and pray for me often. They remember my birthday. They are a safe place for me to vent, because I know my secrets are guarded in their care. And, they admonish me when I need some guidance or correction. Historical Friendships . I have friends in my life who are there because we have been together through a significant period of life such as ...

It has been 16 days. That is sixteen days since I last took my prescription drugs for my stomach. I feel almost awesome! (Well, maybe that is exaggerating a bit, but is sounds better that almost normal.) I have never been able to fully follow the advice of my Naturopath. Cutting out all grains was a tall order. And while I can do without many, many grains, rice is too much of a staple for me to eliminate. Removing eggs from my diet was quite difficult. I like my (rice) pancakes too much. And eggs are a quick (and cheap) source of protein for me, especially since we are on a one income budget. But I have managed to cut out dairy (and I've been gluten free for some time now). And that in itself is an accomplishment. And you know what? My stomach isn't as sore anymore. I am learning to listen to my body and treat the symptoms more naturally. Organic Ginger Tea soothes my gut when I am having a mild episode of the burn. Occasionally chewing gum gets me swallowing, which coats...