Ode to My Sister

I spent a week with my sister in Edmonton, en route by car with her to south east Saskatchewan, and zig zagging from Esterhazy to Spy Hill to Gerald to Spy Hill to "the farm" to Langenburg . . . all the way back to Edmonton. This girl has got a lot going for her. Not only is she a beauty, but she packs a wise punch, is incredibly knowledgeable in her field of work (working with families and early ed kids with special needs), loves to make herself laugh(and others, too), and she puts up with me even when I'm a snot face* for a whole week. I love this girl. Here's to you, Rash!

The pictures are of Kasha and Adam at Outback & Kasha and Shabyn - our friends' Robyn and Shawn's son.

* I mean this literally; I got a nasty head cold while on my prairie vacation. Kasha didn't even come close to throwing me out of her clean car.

Illuminares

My friend Lisa and I rode our bikes to the lluminares Lantern Procession at Trout Lake Park here in Vancouver last night. I loved it. Thousands of people create lanterns - from freakish to fantastical - and walk this loop around the park with their glowing creations. It's a beautiful excercise of creativity, community, and hope.

This event has contributed to something that is growing larger inside of me: a surge of joy is expanding and giving me a strong feeling of home. I feel like I've been looking for this for 10 years. Who knows how long it will last, but today it's warm and the noices of the city around me are my song.

Peace to you friends and family,

Bobbi

Lessons from My Little Brother

My brother Adam was out to visit last weekend and I am sure of one thing – I love that guy. It is fun spending some extended time with him. He is one of the people closest to me, and still he is someone I continue to get to know better. Most of his growing up took place after I left home and we haven’t lived in the same place since. Or maybe it’s that most of my growing up took place after I had left home and . . . anyway.

For me, spending time with family is like spending time in front of a full length mirror. On this viewing of myself I see that I am far too eager to please others. Adam, however, doesn’t feel the need to impress people; I think he sleeps better being unimpressive*. Adam just is – like it, love it, or go batty because of it. I’m still not sure what I should learn from this difference of character, but I think I’ll just sit with it and let it soak into the places that need it. Maybe there’s a time to impress others, but maybe today I’ll relax and just be a bit more like my little brother.

* I borrowed this line from the movie “Garden State.”

California rest in peace

Rest and play is good for the soul - San Francisco Bay Area vacation July 3-10, 2006.

Finally Comes the Poet

Acquainted with the Night

I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, A luminary clock against the sky Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night. Robert Frost

Hope

I read this today:

"And his name will be the hope of all the world." - Matthew 12:21

Lately, my lover is stress and my time is spent hanging out with fret and worry. What would my life be like if I really believed this about Jesus - that Jesus is the hope of all the world?

I need to try saying something: "Screw worry!" Today I'm jumping out of those ties that bind into the freedom that rests in Hope.

We'll see what happens tomorrow.