Grateful Heart and Helping Hands

I have been offline for a week. No complaints, it is often a bit of a time waster! But I have been contemplating the power of communication during this "time out". I have a friend in Pakistan right now and, with the push of a key or two, we can connect with live feed video-conferencing technology. A bit of a miracle! But the computer is necessary. With the clicking of a few keys, we can stay in touch with hundreds of 'friends' at a time. Communication seems to also be complex. Connecting via written word can cause misunderstanding and hurt, outrage and offence. People draw conclusions from perception, not a favourable way towards relationship building. We need to rely on our knowledge of the person with whom we are communicating, their character and personality, strength of relationship and characterisation of the same. Both through written word and spoken, this holds true. When I practice my craft, my calling, I need to rely on strong communication skills. Understa...

Sorry to those of you who were unable to read yesterday's post. It was largely a tribute to my lover of 30 years. I have changed the background and layout of my blog, so hopefully this fixes the issue. Today, I have the awesome privilege of spending time with my favourite little man. He is 3. He is full of questions and is interested in EVERYTHING! The world is an exciting place and it is a blessing to me to spend time with him. We have played games, matched shapes, counted lots, talked about food choices, gone grocery shopping and even visited a friend. He is a joy to be around. He plays nicely in the living room while I put away groceries, enjoying just being together. A little voice calls, "Nana?? Nana??" "Yes?" " I love you, Nana. I love you bunches and tonnes!" Wouldn't that just melt your heart? Right now, he is scrambling onto my lap, because he is just a little cold. I don't mind sharing my warmth, not one little bit! I hope he is not ...

‎ "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your  name is safe  in their mouth." Billy - age 4 I wonder how true this is? It sounds pretty much true to me! I know that there is nothing more wonderful than hearing my name called from the mouth of My Love. It reaches my heart, melts me just a little. Thinking back over a lifetime, I could say I knew by the tone of voice if someone was calling me from a heart of love or if I was being called out for discipline- know what I mean?  Today, I will be teaching a group of expectant mothers about comfort measures for labour. We will be talking about ways to relax during labour and what it takes to relax. We will also be exploring the purpose of hormones. We have been designed remarkably well for this very job of bearing babies, right down to a spray of hormones, measured in 1/1000th of a ml. That is so tiny, so remarkable, perhaps a miracle. Doctors have tried to create a substitu...

The day is bright and sunny. For February, it holds promise, hope. Every day should hold some promise, some hope! Part of today's hope is for time with a friend tomorrow, enjoying the break in the winter. We will, I am sure, take delight in the brightness, the outdoor gift that we have living in this place. We will see the strength of the mountain, the uniqueness of crystalline snow. The river may have some open spots, showing the deep green coldness below. And the day will hold promise, hope. We have started another busy week. Family has gone home, gone to work and school. Life is back to some form of normal. And I am back to busy, back to work, back to making sure my priorities stay straight. And that is so hard to do! I have been following  A Holy Experience  and have been dared to find joy in every day. Today, the dare was in finding 3 gifts outside, not a difficulty for a day like today! ~gleaming drops of water, shining with sunlight ~ice over gravel, glistening ~b...

Seems as though my posts are getting fewer and farther between. Life is running by at an alarming rate and I am doing my best to keep up. So, for no other reason than simply for the discipline of writing, hello to you! My man asks abut my blog, looking forward to, I think, some glimpse of my life, my thoughts. Something about not being a mind reader, so he uses this method? I am not sure, but nevertheless, I appreciate his encouragement. This last week, I spent most of the week in Vancouver. What an inspiring week! I met with a friend one day and we whiled away hours over lunch and tea, getting to know the heart of one another. Previously, we met in a teacher-student capacity, yet, I think, we knew we would bridge that and make it to friends. I am so glad we have! I am blessed to have many inspiring women in my life. Another friend picked me up at my hotel and we spent a portion of our day together- over lunch, antiques, cranky dogs and good laughs. Again, I find myself so grateful f...

A couple of days ago, I posted all of Psalm 139. Today, I was sent a link that resonates soundly deep within my heart and spirit. We are so fearfully and wonderfully made! This will take about 15 minutes to watch, but please do, it is worth while! Our Master Designer knew these things when He created us--how marvelous, how wonderful! So, without further ado, here it is--enjoy and ponder--and I will be eternally grateful! Annie Murphy Paul speaks on Origins

Sun sitting on the shoulder of the mountain, shadowing pink in the ice mist. A long drive past the thickly crusted winter river, where nutrients lay in wait for the next salmon run. Thoughts dart in and around my head as I prepare to meet with another birthing client. This work, this doula calling, educator and mentor, friendship bond within giving foundation to my raison d'etre. I take time to contemplate how being a doula has impacted me in other aspects of my life and am drawn inexplicably to the thought of aging parents. One who is close to my heart speaks of caring for ill and aging parents, not as if it drains all of her personal and emotional and financial resources, but instead builds them up. She speaks of family bonds, drawing closer and of caring for a toddler aged parent, still considering their dignity and pride in the moment ahead of her own. Esteem and respect colour her choices, beautifully aware of how this will foster the same in her own children as she ages. My ...