As I See It

This morning, I went to my parents' house to interview a household-assistance provider. Having help around the home is a good way to enable my parents to remain in their own home, rather than having them move into assisted living.

I'm aware that there are differing schools of opinion on this topic - many of their friends have moved into assisted living facilities, as have Gregg's parents - but my own parents have always said that their preference is to stay in their home as long as possible. My maternal grandmother did the same thing, so we have a pattern from which to learn.

Last summer, when my father was experiencing a bout of illness, we were looking at different options, but by grace, he has made a recovery, had a good year, and they are still living on their own, with help coming in to provide yard work and take care of cleaning chores. Gregg and I do our best to relieve them of the responsibilities we can manage, and to make their life at home as easy as possible. That's the reason I went to see about a new provider today.

When I got to the house, I smelled propane (propane as it is delivered has no odor, but the supplier adds a scent so that a leak can be detected, if one should occur). I opened the front door to let in fresh air, called the propane company, and was asked to wait for their employee to arrive to check the tank and lines.

This wasn't in my original plan for the day. My parents thanked me profusely and apologized for the inconvenience, which I assured them was not a problem at all. 

As I waited, I took care of correspondence using my phone, went outside into the fresh air, and noticed the perfume of daphne odora which grows near their front door. The sun was beginning to appear through the fog. It was a warm spring morning on the shores of Puget Sound; I was in one of my favorite places on earth, and it was a pleasure to be there.

On the beach (with big sister Deb) in the 1960s

The household help interview did not yield anything useful, but the propane truck driver was kind and considerate. He tested the lines, found that all was well, and gave helpful advice. The dispatcher was courteous, efficient, and called back to check on our progress.

After I returned home, I thought about my parents' apologies and their generous thanks, and about the fact that it is my PRIVILEGE to be able to help my parents, rather than to be working full-time in a place where I do not have the freedom to get away, to be of assistance when it is needed.

I love my job. I especially love its variety. There are certainly days when tedium or frustration are present, when the work gets "undone" as soon as I finish doing it (as with housecleaning, dishes, laundry, bill-paying). Yet I know that I am performing these tasks with love and attention, with concern for my family's well-being, and with care. That gives it meaning, and invests the work with its own rewards.

I love the location of my work. 

The conditions and the view are unbeatable. 

Just look at this fog bank as it starts to dissipate over the water.

I have no complaints, and no need for apologies. As I see it, I am blessed.

Your Kindness, O LORD, Endures Forever

"I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise...
Because of your kindness and your truth,
you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me...

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever..." - Psalm 138

Today, I'm giving thanks to our Creator for sunshine, the glorious beauty of Western Washington, flowers, trees, fresh salty air and water.

I'm thankful to live in a place with mountains and salt water, where you can commute to work by boat

...a place that a cruise ship company thinks is worth a stop

...a place with a bakery that makes these

...and especially these.

I'm giving thanks for fellowship with kind, whole-hearted, understanding, talented, intelligent, funny, wise women. I'm thankful for the gift of this vase of flowers - an early Mother's Day treat from one bereaved mother to another:

Thank you, Teri!

...and for the gift of our writing group, with its encouragement, laughter, inspiration, education and even the occasional tears.

I'm thankful for my family, for time and space to listen, learn and serve, for the gift of the NSA Northwest Speaker's Academy camaraderie and lessons, for support and insight into my work, and for the work itself.

I'm thankful to be able to "barter" (or "work off") the cost of the most wonderful bicycle I've ever ridden. I have not enjoyed cycling since high school, but this bike (6 years old, but new to me) is a revelation - it's actually FUN to ride! I'm thankful for a delicious brunch and bike ride with a friend who we originally met at Seattle Children's Hospital - and for her friendship. I'm thankful for a recent barbeque with Gregg's work peeps in a breathtakingly beautiful location, and for conversations wide-ranging, deep and not-so-deep.

I'm thankful to be able to host Gregg's family to celebrate Mother's Day this Saturday, and to spend Mother's Day with my side of the family - especially with our son, who is finishing his final exams today. I'm grateful that Gregg's mother and mine are both still with us, at 91 and 80 years of age, respectively.

Though life is not easy or simple, life is GOOD. God is GOOD. He makes His promises GOOD. We can be joyful and trust in that fact. Thanks be to our Creator!