Last year on August 17th I celebrated my 70th birthday with 45 of my close friends in a wonderful backyard party. This year my birthday was more subdued. So much can happen in a year! This is totally a year for the year books. Let us hope that we will never again experience a virus such as Covid19. Alas I think that our new reality is what it is for a long time to come. Who would have ever dreamed that we would not be travelling around the world or indeed just across Canada and to not be able to see loved one? I so miss my Grandchildren! Though we use Messenger or Skype it is not the same as hugging their little bodies or snuggling while I read them a story. This year we had Red Lobster at home, it is always yummy. I had lunch outdoors with my friends on two occasions. I got to visit Pinecroft again and not only have a fabulous meal but to walk the grounds and see the soothing pond with it’s multitude of birds, monarchs, dragonflies and wild flowers. To me nature is the place that grounds me. It is much like my backyard which has been one of my main focuses this year. It is a shelter where I listen to the birds as they feed at the feeders or bath in the bird bath. What a riot they are. Seven birds at once! There was one robin and 6 sparrows. Numerous bees fly around as well. I love the sound and antics of the chickadees. Cardinals abound as well. My wren family is now gone. I truly enjoyed their trill while they were there raising their family.
This month was a tough one for me as I heard that one of my best friends Doreen was in a car accident. Doreen was my nursing partner at the then Oshawa General Hospital for years. We have been friends for over 40 years. The car she was in with her niece was hit head on by a man in a pickup who had crossed the line. Her niece died at the scene and Doreen was air ambulanced to Sunnybrook hospital. She had a broken wrist, ankle, ribs plus a large hole in her diaphragm and spleen which all required surgeries. She was in I.C.U. for close to two weeks before they moved her to rehab where she will be for at least two months. She is ambulatory in a wheelchair as she has two casts. She told me via messenger that she hops a lot. Throughout it all, my friend remains positive and optimistic. There are some flashbacks. So many of the staff we formerly worked with were informed and many people sent out prayers and energy to her. I know that we are all grateful for her having survived this terrible accident. It makes you pause to think about your own life and to be grateful for the time we have to visit friends even while social distancing. This whole Covid19 has made us all pause and appreciate what is of value in our lives.
As my friend is on the mend another friend is at the end of his journey. We shared good times together including our first venture in our new to us RV at McGregor Provincial Park. There is something special when you share with friends the sun, sand, water, and even the snow on a cold April weekend. We have the birch bark letter he and his wife wrote to us as we began our RVing. It resides in our trailer and comes out at every campground we go to. So glad we have so many wonderful memories to sustain us. Jim and I are grateful for these times we shared.
Before this year I had never really heard about Zoom or even knew what it was. I sure do now! I am grateful to be able to connect with my Forest City Toastmasters friends every week. I also joined a yoga group on Zoom offered by Wellspring where I am a volunteer offering Reiki to members. The Southwest Self Management Program also has meetings on Zoom to stay in touch with their volunteers. This is the group where I taught with a co-leader ‘How to Deal with Chronic Pain’. I am so glad that I have these outlets. It is so important to stay connected to friends. I am sure that you will agree that we are all missing those hugs. So much you take for granted until it is gone.
My Niece gifted me with a thing called Story Worth. Every week she has asks me a question about my past and I get to write a story. As you can guess I don’t mind writing! I have done two so far and so many memories have been revisited already. She is also learning so much more about her Aunt and is enjoying my stories. At the end of a year I get two books printed up. In many ways I have wanted to do this for years and this format is helping with that. What a great gift this has been already. Thank you Melanie!
August is over; the C.N.E. is closed this summer for only the 2nd time since it’s opening in 1879! The first was for WW2 from 1942 to 1946. School will begin again shortly with every child wearing a mask, trying to distance, and using hand sanitizer. Be gentle with those parents and their children in these difficult times. Anxieties are high. Try to be as supportive as you can to them as they start a new version of school, whether it is online again or in the school proper. Indeed try to be gentle with yourself as well. Keep up the good fight and stay the course as you think about how your wearing a mask can help others. I often think of the Covid19 shuffle as you try to dodge people keeping 6 feet away.
Please take care of yourself, stay healthy and enjoy the end of this beautiful summer.
Happy Summer!
