Colors and The Casino

This part of the country that I am currently living in is so beautiful.

While my friend Bev was having adventures and seeing polar bears in Churchill, I have been out walking around in the warm sunshine of a lingering autumn season.

When I was living in Winnipeg, we seldom experienced a lingering season of any kind except winter. That particular season lingered long and hard and severe. So, you can imagine how much I am enjoying a reprieve.

This week I drove my aunt and two of her friends to 'the slots'.

Yes ...me....I actually went to a place where normally I would not want to go. It actually kind of creeped me out . What some people have fun doing is far different that what I have fun doing. (skydiving, worship, prayer, you know mostly God stuff....)

Anyway, these ladies wanted to go one last time together, and show Nancy the slots. Nancy saw many elderly people flushing their money away with a somewhat lost but hopeful, often disgusted look on their faces.

One lady gave me five dollars, which I used and flushed away. Just before we left my Aunt gave me a few of her slugs to use up and I won 39 dollars. I took it as a kiss from the Lord for my efforts at making these ladies happy. (ok...maybe not)

I have wandered far from my point here.

The drive was about and hour and a half through 'Northumberland County' back roads. This was in order to save ten miles and all the traffic on the 401 if I remember the argument correctly. I threatened to make them all walk if they didn't stop bickering. I was assured that this was the way these friends always talked to each other.

My fragile mind at this point decided to disconnect.

There before me was the most spectacular scenery. The glorious array of color went on for miles as the gently rolling hills opened vistas of breath taking beauty around every bend in the road. The paint brush of God splashed vibrant and alive before my eyes. What a gift !

Upon reflection, I long for the day when I have the opportunity to be lost in the wonder of creation. To let creation be as big as it is, and to let myself surrender to the truth of how small and fragile my human life is resting in the hand of my God.

Then there was the lunar eclipse. I was able to watch it from the front porch here sharing with my little Aunt, the beauty of a dazzling night sky declaring the Glory of the Risen Lord.

I have taken up walking again, this time outdoors. It is the end of October and there are still Robins here. The birds of spring I mean, not the donut shops. In a few gardens in this area, roses are still in bloom on some bushes. Such a blessing for this weary heart. Thank you Lord.

It's raining this evening, my Aunt is suffering and I wonder if we will rest tonight . The nights are not friendly in this place where death approaches, yet still a distance away. I must remind myself that there is no sting in this threat, though it would try to tell me otherwise.

Resurrection Life......Eternal Life....Jesus.....Alive and Smiling at me. Bless this house tonight Lord with dreams of You.

(Oct.29, 2004. Trenton Journal)