Reflections

Looking back on my vacation, I have much to reflect on.

I got to get to know the littlest g-grandkids, each so different, each so special.  A real armful of love.

 I was able to spend time at the coast, scatter flower petals at Mom's final resting place, reflect on what a great Mother I had and what an example she was.  Then of course, we had to eat at Mo's.

I also visited my brother in Washington.  His house was flooded in the December 2007 flood--water up to the middle of the windows, incredible damage to the area, logs piled high by their porch, but an amazing fact, not a window was broken.  Now the damage can only be seen in pictures.  I reflected on the resilience of the people of that area.

Then I reflected on the beauty.  Everywhere the hillsides and valleys were painted with brillant color. 

It reminds of this poem--

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

~George Cooper, "October's Party"

Memories of Mom

Today is in memory of Mom.  What a woman she was!  Born in the east in 1920, moving west as a child to Roberts Montana, after high school moving to Wyoming--the Northfork of the Shoshone river not far from Yellowstone park.   

Met a cowboy/rancher, became a rancher's wife, raised seven children, faced many hardships, but in spite of it all was a happy, artistic, funny lady. She loved flowers, especially roses, loved to visit the Oregon sea coast and watch the magesty and power of the ocean.

She was a very good mother to me--supportive, wise, able to look on the funny side of life, forgiving of my faults, and encouraging me to be better--an example I want to follow. I salute you, Mom, on this the day of your birth.

Flying

Tomorrow morning I will be be above the clouds, all my stress will melt away as I soar toward Oregon with its rugged coasts, maple and oak leaves painting bright spots of color, and probably some rain.  (Only a Phoencian would look forward to that.)

I will get to see my three little grandchildren, two of them for the first time.  I am also anticipating some quality time with my daughter and my granddaughter.

I love vacation!

On Mice and Me

A friend of mine sent me this thought

Worry is today's mice nibbling on tomorrow's cheese.

(Matthew 6:34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (NLT))

I have been going through a computer conversion at work, have spent many extra hours preparing, and was uneasy as to how things would go when we went "live".  Well, Thursday was the day, and although a little slow, it was a smooth transition.

I spent energy worrying about a problem that didn't happen.  Hmm, lesson learned, I hope!