Friendship knows no bounds!

Friendship is an incredible thing. Distance and time do not form barriers..but instead the most amazing thing happens when the distance is covered and time allows memories to rekindle that warmth that comes from anticipation of new memories in the making.
This last week we met up with friends made about 9 years ago during a hard time for their family. We were blessed to live next door to Judy"s Mom who had suffered and died of lung cancer. Both Jim and I had lost our parents years before and having Pat next door was a privilege and blessing. We enjoyed some special times before she had gotten sick with she and her family. Then, because long distances separated she and her children we kind of co-adopted each other. She trusted us to be there when she needed assistance and we felt honored to act on that trust. On the other hand she was there to share stories and hugs with, which we all found refreshing and a blessing.

Several times Judy and her Jim, had invited us to visit with them in Florida and we had agreed it would be a fun time,'someday.' Well, last week our 'someday' arrived and we met up at Epcot in Orlando for an amazing day.  Sharing stories of days past and creating new stories to be told.
That's the thing about friendship...God gives you an opportunity to rekindle those from your past and you are reminded of the influence each made on your life. Then new people enter your life and bring with them a whole plethora of new stories to tell and memories to be made and influences to be had.
With that in mind it is with a sense of wonder of who we will call 'friend' when we board the plane for Montana. How their lives will add to the landscape of our life and how our presence will effect theirs.  The knowledge that the boarders of our world have expanded in our travels, makes the promise of re-visits believable and offers a new dimension to our future because of those who will be called friend.

Let the Adventure Begin

We are almost two weeks into our time in Florida and the adventure is set to begin. We have spent the last 10 days exploring close to "home " and lying in the sun. What a refreshing time it has been.

THE STICKS HAVE RETURNED!
Our walking sticks arrived yesterday.  After putting them together, walking shoes on..it was time to kick the training into gear. I can't think of a more beautiful place to begin than down the trails, across the waterways and down the beaches of Florida!! The sunshine and sand definitely provide a safety factor lacking in the snow and ice of Montana.
A year of new friends, new stories, new motivation has begun. An opportunity to join thousands of other women and men walking hundreds of miles with the dream of seeing  an end to breast cancer. I will keep you posted on how to be a part of my team :)

We packed our bags and headed north. It was interesting to see the landscape change as we traveled the miles to Orlando..THE LAND OF DISNEY!!
Miles of swamp or Everglade, orange groves and finally pasture land with cows and horses. Huge transport trucks loaded to the top with oranges sped along the freeway. On the West Coast those same trucks would be loaded with potatoes, onions, corn, apples,or melons.
Made us realize how diverse or country is. How blessed we are to live in a country that 'grows it all' and ships from coast to coast!!

Walking thru the stores there is good chance of hearing a smorgasbord of languages to be mixed with the fashion choices of those you meet.

We have arrived in Orlando and will spend the next few days exploring the streets of Disney, greeting Mickey ,Goofy and all of Disney characters gathering memories and stories to be shared with family and friends.

So it is with hearts full of thanks for our many blessings we will ride some rides, see the sights and find a  younger us for the next few days.


Sent from my iPad

Vagabond: A person who travels from place to place....

Vagabond...a person who wanders around from place to place without a home or a job.

Well, that describes us to a "T" as my Mom would have said.  BUT it is important to note that we did once have a job AND a home!! We have spent the majority of our years with a job of some sort and all of our lives, until the past few months,with a home. So I must make it clear it is by choice that we can be described as "true vagabonds."

It seems that even though we may not have a house to call our own, God seems to be moving us from place to place with a shelter included. At the present Jim and I have taken up residence in a friend's condo in sunny Florida. We are surrounded by senior citizens who seem anxious to welcome us into their community and share their favorite fun spots with us. So instead of being "strangers in the land" we are feeling like adopted wanderers.

The past few days have been spent 'settling in,' making things familiar and creating our gifted shelter into our home. Now it is time to get the maps out and put together an itinerary for the next month. Due to the fact that we have never visited Florida before there are sights to see, adventures to be had, and new friends to meet.

It is interesting that wherever we travel it is the familiar that we look for and savor a few minutes over a cup of coffee with a doughnut in hand :) Dunkin Donuts fits the bill just fine!!
 But now it is beaches, everglades, museums and amusement parks that are among the many destinations to be explored.
Anyone having a favorite Florida fun spot feel free to share!  I will endeavor to share our travels to keep you posted and would love to have you join us in the fun.

I Choose "Adventure"

2014 has broken over the threshold and a new year begins and brings with it 365 new doors to open and paths to travel. Hmmm.. One of my favorite sayings is that "God never closes one door that He doesn't open another." It is with wonder and anticipation I approach the doors that will open and the paths I will wander this year.
With our house sold and our new home being mobile it is an unfamiliar feeling of being a little lost and unsettled that I begin this new year. I feel a little like the teen who just graduated.. everyone wants to know what her plans are and she wants to sound grown up and confident, but she doesn't know the answer :)
Here we are 8 days on this journey already and I have found myself in 3 different states.  Cherishing time with family and friends that I may not see for several months and grieving a bit at that thought. Sharing the grief of the loss of a family friend and realizing anew how fragile and uncertain life is.
Then barely able to contain the excitement as I made reservations to leave the ice and snow for sunshine, beaches and new friends and adventures.
The persistence of winter storms has caused us to park the motor home and take to the air for our first travel adventure of the year. One door closed another opened.
While our hearts desire would have taken us to PA to visit our daughter's family collecting hugs we will find ourselves walking in sunshine and sand in the state of Florida. My mind cannot help but wonder who and what awaits us there.
My daughter wrote a blog a few days ago challenging her readers to pick one word that they would want to have for their life goal in the coming year.
Mine would have to be 'Adventure.' My first thought was that this is the year of being unsettled. But I refuse to start my year in a state of negativeness so choose to look ahead to a year of new beginnings and ADVENTURE!
As I look down the road of 2014 I can imagine that the paths behind my doors are going to lead to new destinations, fellowship and commitment. Some life decisions will be made as I walk those paths. Some I will step through with trepidation while others I will run through with wings beneath my feet. Some I will stand on the threshold asking for clarity to walk ahead or turn away. I know that the paths I take and the choices I make will not only effect me.
It is with that in mind that I remind myself of the need of being still. Listening to that still small voice that gives warning and direction becomes my compass. Taking time to just be quiet and wait. Life and its busyness can be so confusing that a time of resting the soul is needed. Sometimes we just need to set on the bench along side the path and listen and wait for the clarity to continue.
Some paths I have already made commitments to walk and it will be interesting and exciting to see the timing for those doors to open and the prep that will come before.
It is important to note that not all paths are  necessarily bad or good. Sometimes the path chosen just isn't the most direct route to the most desired destination. One direction may take me to the same spot eventually as another but the time of arrival may take longer, thus delaying the joy of reaching the final destination and the rest and peace that comes with it! Sometimes God arranges a detour to prepare my heart for that which awaits me at the end of the path.
So I invite you to join me as I prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Walking my path with all its twists, turns,  hills and valleys. The pauses to enjoy the view, lessons learned and new friends I meet along the way. Let's make 2014 a year to remember:)
By the way. ..;"What is Your word? "

Home IS where the heart is!

Home is Where the Heart Is....

I have been contemplating that a lot in the past month. After selling our "house" several weeks ago it has  been made clear to me once more that it was just that..a HOUSE.

HOME, you see, goes with you where ever you are.

In the 46 years that I have been a wife and then a Mom home has taken on many shapes, forms and sizes. I have nested in an apartment, camp trailer, tent {with my husband and 4 children] a beautiful house and now will be settling into a motor home for a few months to come.

The past month has found us in "temporary" housing..offered by the kindness of our neighbors. Finding ourselves surrounded by someone else's treasures has been both a blessing and challenge all wrapped together. The most amazing thing happened each time a friend or family would walk through the door, "Welcome to OUR HOME!!" The excitement of seeing one another and the love shared transformed the unfamiliar to all that really matters, bringing the warmth to the heart that only being home can do.

With most of the familiar treasures from life packed and stored it is an opportunity to incorporate some of the old into smaller forms of itself bringing that "look" of HOME. The comforting thing is knowing that minus the room, minus the "things" the love and hugs of family and friends will assure that we will never be "HOMELESS."

Tis The Season

"Tis the season"

We are in a new phase of life and to say it is proving adventurous, exciting, challenging and sometimes a little unsettling would be putting it mildly.

 A little over a month ago we sold our home and have NO idea where life is leading us. Now, I must say, that a similar adventure when I was in my twenties (even with 4 small children) was much easier to deal with. (At least it was in my memories..lol!)

Thanksgiving found us in a 'Temp" home provided by the giving hearts of our neighbors. We had a quiet day with our son and family counting the many blessings that had fallen our way over the years.    The next couple days brought our twin sons and their families 'home' to join us and fill the house full of the laughter and activity that can only be heard when children join the fray.
As the stories of 'do you remember when..." filled the house it proved the old saying "Home is where the Heart is" to be true.

Because we are nomads for a time and our belongings are hidden in boxes locked away in storage..our Christmas decorations and traditions are packed away for a time also. Now THAT has been a challenge for a Mom and Grandma's heart to settle into. But, new adventures are to be had and maybe some new traditions will work their way into our lives as we endeavor to keep the REAl reason for the season alive and well in our hearts.

This year found us sharing dinner with our son and family and then joining them for an evening of Christmas music and joy provided by a home school choir with our grandchildren as members.

We have traveled to Oregon and I was blessed to catch some sister time as we made our way to the Oregon coast for a little quiet time. Funny how even though it is "just us" now, we still require a little 'break away' from time to time. A walk on the beach always seems to be just the ticket!

Tomorrow we will head to Washington and settle in with our daughter and family for some old fashioned Christmas time. The days AND nights will be filled with the anticipation of Santa 's arrival, the sounds of children, and most importantly celebration of our Saviors birth!!  With a new baby in the mix we will surely be aware of that birth so many years ago, that now provides the REASON FOR THE SEASON, and all HIS birth has brought into our lives.

As I think of Christmas I am reminded that it is because of this gift of a tiny baby, sent from God Himself , that in this new era of my life, I can experience Peace, Joy and "settledness"even though all that is familiar is boxed and stored!

My prayer for this season is to be aware of those new traditions that may be in the making while my heart finds a new hunger to Seek after the ONE who made this season possible for us all.

Reflection on Thanks

I had probably the most quiet relaxing Thanksgiving Thursday of the last 40+ years. Due to the recent sale of our home and Jims' knee surgery life has been a bit on hold. We are living in a neighbor's home while Jim recuperates.  So the Thanksgiving level for provision and health is running high.

Thursday while taking a short break I was cruising through Face Book checking out my friends posts when I came upon one that encouraged a reply. The friend was commenting on the need in today's society for commitment, goal setting and taking responsibility.
Several friends had commented and so I of course added my thoughts, which led to my cause of reflection....

The year was 1965 and I was a Senior in high school (now I am just a SENIOR). My brother had run out of gas on a country road.  We were standing between his car and mine attempting to get things going again.  A drunk driver came out of nowhere and before we could remove ourselves from the mix we were crushed in the middle.
The result was a short hospital stay for my brother and a whirlwind of doctors, surgeries, tears and love, and a full year snatched from any form of "Normal" life for me.

It was was definitely another day and time. Neither the medical procedures nor the hospital accommodations were close to being what is common place today.  As a result my recovery time was extended and the opportunity for expressions of love and care by friends and family was limitless! Let me tell you they went above and beyond many times over.

Let me share a few of the reflections that have once again spurred a heart of Thanksgiving for some incredible acts of kindness by some amazing people....

The stranger who held my head in her lap while waiting for the emergency crew.

The hospital room was just that ..a room...so my Senior class rented a TV...wheeled into my room, providing a source of distraction and moments of reprieve, thanks to the generosity of some pretty cool teenagers.

The principal arrived at the hospital the morning following the accident with a local pastor. The principal to assure me that I WOULD graduate with my class thanks to the generosity of the school district paying for a tutor. The pastor to offer a prayer for peace and healing.

At the time of the accident I had been working lunch hours, afternoons and weekends at the local Fountain and Variety. The customers were all part of a large community family. One of the rough and tough loggers provided stamps, stationary and grape vines (candy) so I could keep in touch with those on the outside :) A radio, lounge robe, (just right for the bed and wheelchair) purchased from donations of other customers.

A visit from a teacher, bringing his new baby to my bedside to share the joy of new life. :)

Daily visits, games and "outside food" from friends and family.

Visits nearly weekly from my high school sweet heart, later to become my husband, who traveled from college. He would often arrive late after a football game and the nurses would watch for his arrival, sneak him in and provide ice cream and goodies..their way of rewarding him for his love and sacrifice as they had become involved in my life.

A  'day with the class' made possible by the time and effort of many classmates and teachers.

All of these things were wonderful memories of  what could have been a horrific time in a young woman's life.
But as I interacted with my friends on FB one shared with me a nugget I had not known. She shared with me her memory of that time and mentioned remembering the morning that a prayer had been offered for my recovery over the intercom at school. REALLY!! ?? :) :)
That was a new revelation that brought the flood of memories and a heart renewed with Thanksgiving for a community that walked through a dark time with a young woman. They provided hope, and brought the light of love and  caring into a life spun out of control by an unexpected turn in life.

So many acts of kindness and words of encouragement that made it possible to imagine that things WOULD return to normal.

Yes, I did graduate with my class...have gone on to get married have 5 children, blessed with 16 grandchildren and friends to numerous to count.
This last September, 48 full years following what many thought would be a crippling accident, I walked the Susan G. Komen 3Day 60 mile walk, in Seattle,WA. The ability to complete the walk meant setting a goal, discipline in training and commitment to follow through.I finished strong and am continuing to train for the 3Day in San Diego 2014! A miracle to be shared and celebrated.
Every step I take is with gratitude and thanksgiving. But the greatest gift of all is taking those steps to bring HOPE to someone else. An opportunity to "Pay it Forward."