Thursday, January 20, 2005

~dear dreams~

Dreams. Idyllic fantasies of the night hours.

They are subconcious yearnings that often take us by surprise. Yes, and sometimes even shock or amuse us.

I am one of those fortunate people who is supplied nightly with a new store of thrilling matters to keep me company during the day.

If ever I was to stop dreaming, I think that a great amount of joy would leave my life instantly.

As a writer, I see dreams as wonderful new stories that I don't need to work to invent--in fact sometimes I wonder if it is really my brain that spins these fantastic yarns at all. For it seems to me that your mind couldn't possibly create such situations all by itself without even being aware of it. But then, I'm no scientist.

Hey, wouldn't it be amazing if our dreams were inspired by God like in the Bible?

Well, I would be delighted to share my dreams here on this blog, but unfortunately they are usually a little too personal to publish. Maybe when my internal news anchor comes up with something decent and interesing for the general public I'll let you in on them. Until then my lovely night musings will have to remain a private delight.

I actually feel quite sorry for you all!

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

lovely ones

What a balmy day it has been! A zephyre-like wind is blowing wildy for joy--triumphant at its escape from the bitter and resentful cold. The warmth is at last seeping into my bones and giving a Spring to my step.

I stepped out of my tutor's house at 3 o'clock this afternoon as usual. The wind was blowing impossibly warm air in my face, and I had just decided that it was a beautiful day. Judy and I said our farewells, and then I turned and started toward the sidewalk. I was a little put out of countenance when I saw that there was someone walking past just at that moment.

Balderdash.

I saw that it was an elderly lady and feared that I would have to take a painfully slow pace behind her all the way to the Library. But nothing could dampen my spirits on this day, so I smiled cherrily and said, "Hello!" She smiled back at me and when I would have taken my place behind her, she slowed, turned and said, "Are you homeschooled?" in a friendly voice.

I was surprised by her friendly interest and still more surprised at the energetic pace she was taking down the street. We talked pleasantly for several blocks, she asking me about my schooling, and remarking about the weather and such. I noticed a neat and elegant little accent in her voice that I couldn't quite identify. She must have been seventy at least and had beautiful snowy, silver hair. I think if I had to use one word to describe her I would say simply: lovely. After about three blocks, a light sprinkle suddenly began to fall on us, and she turned back. I wonder if she knew that she made my day.

What precious treasures are waiting just around the corner of every day! I can't help but think how God must make even such chance meetings come to pass for very specific purposes in His perfect plan. Its simply thrilling!

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

This Blessed Burden

Well they're gone. They were here for four days this time, now they are returning to New York State.

We planned this Christmas season with care and anticipation--my sister Rachel and her husband were to come with there babies, as well as my aforementioned sister Sarah and her husband and offsping. My serviceman brother Nathan was also here on leave. I can say now that it must have been providence that took him away from us-- back across the country just in time. Believe me, I was sad at the time but now for his sake I am thankful for his "escape". The events of the very next day would not have been pleasant to awake to--as we did.

Now that I have my readers prepared, I will attempt to explain the cryptic language of the past paragraph. A few days before the turning of the New Year, my little niece, Mary came down with a flu that involved much heaving, hurling and more unmentionable distresses. She was considered "over it" when the whole family gathered on January first for our gift exchange. Unfortunately brother-in-law, Joel was doomed to catch the ailment from her that very night. Sunday morning was to see his wife laid out with the same. As they had been staying off the premesis we naturally thought that we were reasonable in our expectation to be passed over. This isn't Egypt and its not passover, but maybe blood on our door might have helped.

We made it till the wee hours of Monday morning. I was awakened to the news that Mom, Mark, and my niece Katie had all sucombed during the night. Anna was at work for no more than two hours when she also found it nessecary to come home and crash. By now the only adults left standing were Sarah, Ben, and myself. We cared for the infirm as best we could--made runs to town for food and whatever else needed and were cheered constantly by dear baby Andrew's unstinting happy healthiness. We made a pact among the three of us not to be laid out and thought that it couldn't get worse. Alas! It was not to be. The next morning Ben greeted me with the news that Sarah was down. DOWN. Two left standing. We wondered which one of us would be next.

You may be shocked to read that during this entire time I felt an abominable, unexplainable, guiltily healthy tingle in my bones. In the darkness of early morning, having just been informed of the sickness in the house, I felt that perhaps I was doomed. But I prayed. I asked God to make me the helper--the servant. And He did. Not at any moment after did it even occur to me to get sick. Ben ran himself ragged caring for and cleaning up after his wife and daughter, and I did my best to help where I could. Most often it was Andrew who gained my attention. Now that they are gone, my arms feel much too empty--my feet much too rested, and the house unbearably clean. Yes, influenza or no, it was a Blessed Burden.