Her Treasure

On Friday, a woman came into the store with an item in bubble wrap.  As she carefully unwound the layers of plastic, I could see a beautiful blue and white bowl.  She told me that it was fine china, made in China, called Delftware.  (I didn't know what she said, until she wrote it down).  It reminded me a bit of Wedgewood china from England.  To my delight, I saw her take off a cover.  The cover had five holes and the purpose of the bowl was for bulbs!  She told me that in England she saw crocuses blooming in pea gravel, and asked me if I would plant bulbs in the bowl using gravel as the medium.  I told her that I would see what I could do.  She mentioned how much she enjoyed the hyacinth since it had such a pretty smell.   I was able to place 2 crocus, 2 daffodil and 1 hyacinth.  The hyacinth was the focal point.  It was also a bit big to get through the hole so a leaf or two was bruised. The 5 plants had to be placed exactly so that they would come through the holes. When she came to the store the next day, I was busy with a customer.  Later she told me that she "had peeked."  She had gone to the back of the store where the bowl was waiting.  However she was so pleased.  I taped the cover to the bowl, wrapped it in a sleeve to protect the shoots from the cold and gently nestled the bowl in a box with light blue tissue paper.  I held the door for her as she carried her treasure to the car. 

Happy Day!

I have not been bothered by the winter blahs too much this year.  I surmise it is because i have been so busy that I haven't had the time.  And now spring begins in three days!  I know the weather won't cooperate with the calendar,  but it is heartening to know that baseball and short sleeve weather is around the corner.  Whenever I comment on a sunny day, I say, "I know it's cold, but it's sunny.  The sun lifts up my mood."

My Mother's roommate at the nursing home is Irish.  My dad brought up corned beef, cabbage and potato that he cooked for my mother.   Later in the afternoon, three more generations swept into the room, the roommate's daughter,  granddaughter and great grandchildren.  They came bearing gifts sourdough bread, cookies, all kinds of delicacies.  The first names of all the girls is Mary...Mary Pat, Mary Christine, Mary Anne, Mary Ellen, Mary Claire, Mary Elizabeth.  I borrowed and held one year old Mary Suzanne for a brief moment.  She wore a tulle skirt with shamrocks and could charm the leprechauns themselves.  A most happy St. Patrick's Day to me (I am Irish on St Paddy's day!).

I haven't heard from a good friend in over a month.  Can't help but wonder.  Perhaps I'll never hear from him again and I feel sad.  Maybe I overdid, took too much of his time when he would rather have been off by himself.  My cowoker says not to take it personally.  I feel lost.  This is history repeating itself!

Attempting to stay on even keel

To keep my emotions on even keel, I am staying away from situations which will upset me.  At this point, I want my life to be as drama-free as possible, so that I can make it through a daily schedule.  When I am at the dojang, I focus only on hapkido.  Martial arts is a time for me to put responsibilities and concerns aside for one hour.  I spend time with my God in reading and prayer.  Through spiritual endeavors, I have energy to cope with issues that arise.  And I feel happiness.  I felt joy to share a laugh with my mother and dad when my father propelled the wheelchair over the wastebasket, to talk with my husband and daughters, to come home and find the beautiful tulip arrangement from my son on the kitchen table, to watch my mother walk for the first time in four weeks, to see and feel the warmth of the sun.  I can only look ahead about one day.  I must contend with preparing my Dad's home for my mother's return from the nursing home, Easter, our anniversary in April, my high school daughter's graduation and party in June, my daughter's wedding in August, and trying to make a decision about camping this summer.

Days Off!

After opening the store nine days straight, I had 1 1/2 days off.  I worked Sunday and Monday, and now I have two days off.  Two days to regroup.  I am putting nothing on my plate except a visit to the nursing home.  I plan to sleep, read, train on Wednesday evening, chat with friends online.   I can't believe what my life has become.  Oh, wait a minute, yes I can!  Work, chores, nursing home visits, a run to a caregiver seminar, and when I get the chance, the opportunity to train in hapkido.  I need to go to the dojang and use up this excess energy.  How am I doing you may ask, with balancing all the different facets of my life?  Work is fine, certainly don't spend as much time with my husband and daughter as I should, but then for the first time in a long time, I cooked dinner.  I had a good training session the other night.  I remembered most of my forms.  It is bad though, that I can hardly think two days ahead, let alone about graduation, a party and a wedding.

Spring Tulips

The sun warmed my arm as it shone on the sleeve of my sweater...a sure sign that spring is around the corner.

What is my purpose?

Every now and again, I enjoy introspecting.  Today I came across the question, "Why I am I here?  What is my purpose?"  I can't answer this question.  Was it the time I was sitting in the parking lot of a bank and noticed the little car next to me start to roll down the hill?  So I hopped out and held the car in place, until the driver came out.  It saved the car from crashing into the cars below.  I don't identify myself as daughter, wife, mother, sales associate, martial artist.  All these can change in a moment's time.  I remember the old Baltimore Catechism question, Why did God make me?  To know Him, love Him, serve Him , so that we could be happy in this world and the next.  Maybe not exact, but close enough.  So I'm right back where I started.

1991 Sebring Convertible

Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

Refrain:

Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants
beyond my needs, from death into life.

God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love.
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.

Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul.
You lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth.
My spirit shall sing the music of your Name.

Though I shall wander the valley of death.
I fear no evil for you are at my side.
Your rod and staff, my comfort and my hope.

You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred.
crowning me with love beyond my pow'r to hold.

Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forevermore.

Corsages and Boutonnieres

On Saturday, I mind the branch store.  Normally, the city folk don't get up til late, and so I never expect too many people before noon.  I watered the planters and blooming plants, vacuumed the carpet, swept the floor.  Later, I restocked arrangements and cut flowers.  Since it is nearing spring (hurray!) a church was sponsoring a dance, "High School Prom."  There was also a daddy/daughter dance and godparents day.  A family came in looking for a corsage and boutonniere.  I didn't have any available and they were so disappointed!  I can make a decent boutonnniere and pin-on corsage, but though I've tried, I can't attach the flowers to the wristlet for a wrist corsage.  I practiced and gave the boutonniers to the fathers who were taking their daughters to the dance.  Next time I'm near a designer at the main store, I will take wrist corsage lessons.

I'm not sure that the computer posted the daily totals properly.  It seemed to freeze mid post.  Wonder if the owner can post after the fact.

Throwing shoes into a pile

Yesterday my daughter called for a health status update on her grandmother.  In the course of the conversation, she told me that her friend's  mother, our neighbor, has been diagnosed with leukemia.  It is a common form, but very aggresive, so she is in the hospital for six weeks for daily chemo.  On another sad note, I met the mother of a 5 month old infant who is on life support.  I have never heard of this but her blood was draining into the baby's lungs in utero, and he was drowning.  The baby had a discharge date from the hospital.  It was postponed as he developed pneumonia.  She has five other children, 18, 16, 12, 10 and 2 years old.  This reminds me of the story that if everyone threw their shoes with their problems into a big pile, and had the option to choose different problem shoes,  they would chose to take their own shoes back.
 
My husband, son and I went to the Japanese restaurant.  We sat at a hibachi grill and enjoyed a meal of edemame, clear soup, salad, and fried rice and seafood...hot tea to drink.  It is always amazing to watch the artistry of the chef.