Dear Friends,
I haven’t written anything, because my heart has been heavy. I have lived most of my life (53 years) in Southern California, specifically the area near the Eaton fire. It’s not an ‘area’, it’s a home town. The list of sweet faces of those we know who have lost everything continues to grow.
Our church friends continue to pray for the people affected by the fires. Those affected have become more personal to them because of knowing us. We covet their prayers and appreciate their concern. I’ve mostly gone into hiding in our house, only offering to take the boys/loons next door for an ice cream to break up my withdrawal.
The other effective remedy is to sew, so I’ve started a new quilt for a hurting friend.
Too many of the younger lads in my family are experiencing significant medical issues. I want to just holler, “STOP!”
I said to my mother once,
“It seems like it is always something!”
To which she replied, “Yes, that is life.”…and so we pray….for healing, for hope and always for comfort.
Yesterday, THE Susan and the boys came over with dominoes and smiles.
“We’ve come to cheer you up,” they declared.
‘Wonderful, I’ll make popcorn and hot chocolate!’ and cheered up I was.
“Look, we’re on the board!”
‘Of course you are, all my special ones are there’.
Joy and laughter and mess…it was perfect.
My Loving Spouse was making something new for dinner.
I eyed the sausage with suspicion, but dug in with a good attitude. Shortly after we started eating the shed door began banging in the wind. While My Loving Spouse went to secure it closed, I snuck most of my sausage into his bowl, hiding the pieces under his potatoes and mushrooms. I felt like a kid again, although he was a lot easier to fool than my mother!
There are 1,760 people who live in Portsoy.
There’s a whole bunch of guys named Graham, Graeme, and Gram, but none of them are spelled the same. There are a few Irene’s, a lot of Alans, but most of all there are the Susans.
THE Susan – next door neighbor, mother to the loons
Trailer Susan – who believes My Loving Spouse to be the best trailer backer-upper driver in all time.
Craft Susan – duh
Marble Susan – has the Portsoy Marble shop in town. Portsoy marble is one of a kind.
Men Shed Pete’s Susan – because she didn’t want to be known as just Men Shed’s Susan
Station Susan – Station Hotel who helps non-profits host meetings and Bingo nights galore
…and we haven’t really met that many people! How many Susans can there be?
and we are blessed.
..by those who pray with us and play with us.
May God Bless you.
There are few words to express our feelings to the terrible devastation caused by all of the fires in my state. As a native Californian, never in my 80 years I have never seen anything like this, even Forest fires that at times have devastated my area. We can only hold up all those affected in our daily prayers. We must all remember that God never gives us more than we can handle and know He is watching over all those that are hurting and in pain. Take care.
Amen and thank you,
xx
I wish I had words! I hope that over time all of this community support will translate to a phoenix rising out of the ashes. It is hard to see the path, knowing it will be a long, bumpy road of transformation. I tell myself every day “do for one what you wish you could do for the whole world.” How lucky to have those little cherub faces to come cheer you up! Sending hugs from afar! Xo -A
So good to hear from you, sweet Amy,
Such good words to hear and you are so, so good at doing for ‘one’.
Thank you and bless you,
many hugs,
xx