December 13, 2011

Life, gives us small treasures if we only take a moment to look out our window to see them. Sometimes it is the windows of our homes or cars, but perhaps more often the windows of our eyes. I'm not much of a writer, and I'm not sure anyone would be interested in reading what I write, but I'm toying with writing a blog if for no one but myself. I'm going to call it Through My Window. I'll have to get someone to help me set it up, I'm not too tech savvy but I thought if I start writing, the rest will happen, so now I begin.
I've been sick for a few days. My sweet husband out of concern for my health banned me from leaving the house. I'd slept poorly, tried to nap and rest and nothing was working. Finally I settled down with a book in our living room in a big, comfy chair next to the Christmas tree. After reading a page a two I slipped quietly into the much needed nap. When I woke, I was looking directly into the branches of our beautiful Christmas tree. Little white lights shimmered in my eyes and bounced beams off the red and gold ornaments. It gave me a kind of magical awakening from my healing rest. I began to look around the room at the nativity scenes temporarily replacing the books on the shelves. I stopped to look at the Christmas music waiting to be played on the piano. As my gaze traveled further I looked out the window to see snow gently falling. I was filled with such a peace and wonder for this beautiful season. What a very special reminder of how blessed I am and how grateful I am for the knowledge that the Christ child is the reason we have for this season with all its beautiful trappings. I'm still sick, but I'm mindful that without that, I would have missed a magical and very special moment.
That's what I saw today out the window of my eyes and home. Take a moment to drink in the peace of the season and take a look, what do you see out your window?


December 14, 2011

Through My Window
Today out my window I watched the tender endings of one season of life and the beginnings of a new phase for our neighbors. We live in a senior community and though we are at the back of the community I can still see many things out our window.
A couple that have lived here for 18 years or so are moving to an assisted living center today. Both the husband and wife are in their 90s. They have lived full and rich lives. Together they have weathered the storms of life, raised a loving family, traveled the world and given a lifetime of service including multiple missions for our church. LaFaye has loved working in her over planted little garden plot which has been a bit of an eyesore for the neighbors, but a statement of independence for her. Even that is too much for her now and they can no longer care for themselves and their home and it is time once again to cut back and move on. It has been tender to watch the transition.
Early this morning a moving truck pulled up and the painful moving process began. Furniture and boxes were loaded into the truck, children came and piled bags and odds and ends into their vehicles and slowly the house was emptied. One daughter was comforted by her husband as she silently wiped away streaming tears as she stepped away for a moment from the activities.
Finally and slowly, LaFaye came out of the house, walking carefully across the snowy street using her trademark walking sticks to steady herself. Her steps seemed slower than usual, her head down a little more. Neighbors came out to greet, hug and express love and best wishes and finally she eased her way into the car to be driven off to her new home, only a block away but a huge step again away from her independence. Faithful and true, she turned her face forward and goes forth with courage and hope into her future. God be with her.
That is what is out my window today. How about yours?