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Vacation Days, ETC

I have finally come to the last day of my backyard vacation.  Somewhere in the middle, the days decided to take off like race horses out of the starting gate.  But I am not lamenting entirely a return to usual work and routine, and I think that is because I have completely enjoyed these days, each one, each hour, each minute. . . 

I find myself looking for surprises each day, and I have discovered that some of the best just take time.  My backyard is a story of plants just "left alone" or "given up on" that all of a sudden show dramatic bloom and blossom.  Several years ago, I cannot even remember when exactly, I was given a small Bromeliad plant for my birthday.  I have never grown these, but did my best to keep it alive on my front patio.  It did grow, but never did I ever have any more blooms.  So this year, I decided since it had completely outgrown its pot, that I would transfer it to a shadier spot in the back yard and see if it would keep growing, as when it is planted in the ground it obviously would have more room.  It only has been a few weeks, and the other day while filling up its center with water I noticed the bullet bud, and each day it keeps springing forward and bringing me new joy.  Nature always reminds me that though often quiet, unhurried, it never is idle.  It will produce only when ready, despite my fretting, my worry, my neglect, my overkill.  Just step aside and see what God can do, even with a "deadbeat" Bromeliad.

I found myself loving my time spent with family and some of the best friends you could ever have.  August usually is somewhat bittersweet as it reminds me of the passing of my parents.  But this year, I have buried myself in old memories and found new things I hadn't realized before.  I appreciate the young love I discovered when reading through Mom and Dad's old love letters.  I especially enjoyed reading again Mom's Bride book, which I made a point of reading the fine print and realizing each signature in her book were of real individuals who knew and loved a very young Verna and Bob. 

I hosted my oldest brother and his wife for lunch, and enjoyed the laughter and food we shared around the table.  Yes, my frozen blackberry pies turn out great when I bake them, just as if I had rolled out the dough that day. 

I relished my Charter girlfriend reunion with nurses I have worked with over the past thirty years.  I don't know what it is about us Psych nurses, we are a special breed.  The years together were challenging, and yet through tradgedies, deaths, illnesses, census volatility, patient acuity, budget cuts, administrative changes, always and forever we were there for each other.  Love and care has only grown deeper and fonder.  It was even like that with my West Sub Nurse girlfriend.  I was her protege while still in nursing school, and she was the Charge Night nurse, 35 plus years ago in Oak Park, Illinois.  Despite all those years, we still get together and it feels as if no time has ever lapsed.  I am always reminded that these wonderful friendships are God's gift to me, that none of them were a coincidence or an accident, they were given to show me His care and love, and above all His faithfulness, I have never been alone. . . 
And of course, what is vacation without someone getting sick or injured?  In these last days, Jasmine developed quite a nasty "hot spot" that she kept agitating.  It wasn't getting better with my home remedy of coconut oil and Calmoseptine.  So to the vet we went, and it is wonderful to have a vet who gets down on the ground with her patients and provides practical medicine to support what I have been doing for her as well.  Of course, the plastic cone collar is not welcome, but it has kept her from biting at the area, and actually today, she is very compliant without it.  

Yes, there is a season for everything, a time for everything.  I realize for my year of "60 living," I need to be grateful for all I have.  I had the pleasure of celebrating my dear Mom Ruth's birthday of 99 years today with her.  She always tells me how thankful she has been that I see her every week, and how much she always loves me.  It is wonderful to hear those words from one who has almost reached 100 years.

Blessings, surprises, love, laughter, friends, families fit well into my backyard vacation. I am going to be more intentional in living out my calling of "loving one another."  Who knows what will be discovered next?  



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