Dining Gluten Free

"... if you encounter a chef who says he cannot cook for you, gluten-free? Get up and leave. The true professionals don't regard this as an imposition. The best chefs know that this is their chance to be even more creative and give you joy in the belly." ~~Shauna Ahern, Gluten Free Girl

You've Got a Friend in Me

You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me When the road looks rough ahead And you're miles and miles From your nice warm bed Just remember what your old pal said Boy, you've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you We stick together and we see it through You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me Some other folks might be A little bit smarter than I am Bigger and stronger too Maybe But none of them will ever love you the way I do It's me and you And as the years go by Boys, our friendship will never die You're gonna see It's our destiny You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me

Memories

I had lunch with a friend on Friday. It had been way too long since we'd gotten together. I realized how long when she shared how life had changed for her mother who now has Alzheimer's. My friend described the toll it has taken on the mother she once knew and the whole family, who rotate care giving. She says her mother is essentially gone and she has painfully grieved that loss, accepting the harsh reality of the present. Her mother's days start fairly peacefully but as day progresses into night she goes into a state that is described as "sun downing" where fear, panic and confusion take over. She makes phone calls to the family saying the children aren't home yet. They know it will soon be time to make decisions for her placement. The next day I had coffee with another friend who does a fundraiser every year for the Alzheimer's Society. She bakes for days then has a lunch time sale in her workplace. Coffee is donated by Tim's (Yay for Tim's), and she does a raffle too. Last year her oven gave out and she was doing the last batches in the toaster oven. The sale was still a great success. All of this brought back memories of caring for Mrs. M. She was a friend's mother and I was her companion and care giver for about a year. Even though much of her memory was gone, I learned about the power of compassion from her and the way her family treated her with dignity and humour. The humour never left her. She was one of the lucky ones. If you'd like to help by having a Coffee Break in your workplace, home, or church please check it out here: http://www.alzheimercoffeebreak.ca/

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Vacation

I love Huntsville Ontario Canada.

When I was canoeing in Tahiti

When I vacation with Toronto Barb, I meet the most interesting people. The kind of people who start a story with the words....when I was canoeing in Tahiti.... Or....my favorite place to go cycling was France....Or I'm getting married in a ceremony on a beach in Florida....Or...I've never minded traveling alone.... I will admit to a bit of envy. But I put that away quickly. Because talking to women who do interesting, bold, exciting things means that it is possible for me too. If they can do it, why not me?? I realistically know there are limits: physical, financial, time. And frankly I really have never wanted to canoe in Tahiti. So there's that. But I can chose the equivalent for me. The thing that stretches me, makes me try something I thought was impossible. It encouraged me and renewed me to talk to people like that. It reminded me of how I never would have imagined going to the gym...and enjoying it. It reminded me of my own dreams to hike and cycle again, to write about what I love, what inspires me. Dreams of traveling to a few of my favorite places and to places I've never been. Dreams are available to everyone....and they can come true too....with the right choices. Choices. We can all make a choice to take a step toward our dreams. Even a small step. And along the way we can support each others dreams and accomplishments. Just a thought from my vacation.

Forgiveness

I saw him in the parking lot before Church. In an instant I judged him. On his looks, his clothes, what he was doing.

And then I walked into Church.

Guess who sat right behind me?

I had never seen him before.

But he did remind me of the man I saw in another parking lot 2 summers ago.

When the music began I heard his beautiful voice behind me. He knew all the words: the words that I did not know.

During the prayers I heard him sigh when we prayed for those who battle addictions of all kinds.

When it was time for the sign of peace, he looked directly in my eyes, firmly shook my hand, smiled and said...

PEACE BE WITH YOU.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.

--Ephesians 4:32

(this was the reading that Sunday...)

An email from a friend

Thank you for your prayers.

All things are possible with God.

And so we walk on...

I wondered whether I should post today.

I came back from a beautiful vacation a few days ago, with possible posts and pretty pictures swimming in my mind. I knew I would have today free before going back to work tomorrow. So I wondered. Should I share my thoughts today?

Today is the 13th anniversary of my husbands passing. Can't really explain why it feels like much less. The reality is that the years have passed and my life now is very different from my life then.

I have written about him before, but today one of my favorite blog writers posts in words that sum up many of my feelings. She lost her husband suddenly in February.

I always said that this was true - that words are inadequate - but the understanding of it has burrowed deep inside over the past six months, not in a mournful, despairing way, but in a way that is puzzling, intriguing and even though it is frustrating, it is also...how shall I say it...inviting.

It just seems to me that while other areas of knowledge are necessary and helpful, the only areas of life which could even begin to say or express anything meaningful about all of this, that even begin to get close to the layers, the questions, the moments of clarity, the doubts, the assurances, the light and darkness, the gratitude and the mystery are two: art and faith.

And so we walk on, renewed, no longer in the futility of our minds, no longer aimless. As the man says.

To read Amy's full post click here.