Hello Friends

I am so excited to blog after a bit of a break. I just picked up a soy latte and now I’m jumping right back in. A couple significant things came about this summer.

1). I went to the McKenzie Delta (North of the Arctic Circle) for 16 days and did volunteer work in two aboriginal communities.  I used up most of July planning for the trip. I needed to pack my food, clothing and supplies for 16 days and the airline weight restriction was 50 pounds. I managed to stay under the 50 lbs. The community members I worked with were so kind; generous; and soft spoken. I arrived home in mid August.  I’m still processing the trip and will write about the fabulous experience in another post.

(Me at the Arctic Circle marker in the Yukon)

2). Gerry and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary a few days ago. We had dinner out with our daughters and their boyfriends. Lindsey, my eldest, put this quote on a card she wrote to us “A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it”. I really like the wisdom it contains.  We’re looking forward to the next 30!

3). I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in May. After 20 years of being lactose intolerant and many years of having wheat sensitivities – I now know the culprit. It’s amazing what a change of diet can do – my energy level is right back to where I like it to be. Yippee.

Well that’s a bit of what’s been going on. I’m getting caught up reading other blogs right now. It’s exciting to see how the blogs have evolved and I’m enjoying reading the new ones.

Have a great day. Linda

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A Successful Marriage

Last week my husband and I were downtown for  a morning appointment. I’ve been working from my home for 10 years now, so I don’t go downtown very often. I was so interested in watching the people hurry by – bag in one hand and coffee in the other.  As we were waiting at a crosswalk, an elderly couple (about 80 ish) wandered up and stood next to us. They were dressed very nicely and were holding hands. I noticed he was conscientious of her and watched her  lovingly. We greeted one another and he joked about the coffee in my hand.  He said  they were living in an apartment just around the corner and they were out for their morning walk.  That brief encounter stirred something inside me as I stood with my husband.  I came across this quote today and was reminded of that lovely couple once again. I think they’ve been practicing this truth for many years. Let’s do the same!

“A successful marriage requires

falling in love many times, always

with the same person”

Milton McLaughlin

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If I Knew

I was browsing through an older journal of mine and came across this poem that I added in 2002. Its a good reminder that life is fragile. I hope you like this as much as I do.

IF I KNEW
GeorgeMichael Grossman

If I knew it would be the last time
That I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say ” I love you,”
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be ther to share your day,
Well I’m sure you’ll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there’s always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say ” I love you,”
And certainly there’s another chance
to say our ” Anything I can do?”
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you
and hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll surely regret the day,
That you didn’t take that extra time
for a smile, hug, or a kiss
and you were to busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them you’ll alway hold them dear
Take time to say ” I’m sorry,”
“Please forgive me,” “Thank you,” or ” It’s okay.”
And if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll have no regrets about today.

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Guy Time

You know ladies; I really like to support my husband when he has his guy time. He’s become good at balancing his free time between our family and his personal interests.  Sometimes he and his friends go fishing; golfing or hiking for a few days. Other times he attends the hot rod car club meeting; joins his friends for Friday morning coffee (going on 11 years now); and most recently he’s playing hockey. Men need there time, just like we do.  Give your husband the freedom to fulfill his interests; it will add value to your marriage.

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