Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Simplicity

Seems like forever - time is a mystery, for sure.  I have been struggling with the new design of 'blogger' - finding it hard to navigate and explore with any confidence. Add to that a feeling of  'not-much-to-say' and so be my lack of posting.  I get around and read and comment on your blogs (most) but even that is a chore at times given the new design. The font is so light that I can barely see it.  Oh my, enough complaining, right?

Today is a Spring 'nor-easter', driving rains and wind. The rains are good for our garden and the new grass seed Skipp planted.  He worked hard turning the soil and picking out the rocks. The wood pile, well, what is left of it is stacked and covered just beyond the woods edge - along with kindling and branches left from the October blizzard - our deck is cleaned and set up and ready for grilling and outside barbecue and morning cups of coffee.  All-in-all, life is good and simple and right on the edge of change.

Skipp has to find gainful employment within the next two+ months or, well, I shudder to think.   It is a tough market out there - my Mom is hanging in -she broke her tail bone (coccyx)-,  very painful. She continues to inspire us with her faith and courage.  I think they go hand-in-hand.

We have our Mother's day gathering all planned.  Jennifer is making manicotti and meatballs, my Sis is making the salad and getting the Italian bread, and we are bringing dessert - a carrot cake w/cream cheese frosting, and the wine.  And there you have it.    I always get my Sis the bouquet with three sunflowers. I have been doing this for almost 10 years now - since Clayton died.  Such a tragic loss. And it has become tradition for a few years now to get my Mom a gardenia corsage.  And so they are ordered.

I continue to manage the symptoms of MS and manage the pain as well.  Some days are really difficult. Scary even.  Still we laugh and enjoy and give thanks, for so much beyond the MS.  I guess all things considered, simplicity with all its layers is how we live.  I think it is simple now because we stopped fighting against or even for - there is a place of strength and truth in between those two forces where we live, simply I suppose.  Oh and that doesn't mean we don't try or adjust or compromise or surrender or face whatever is before us, we do.  I am just saying that we live simply in our reality - sometimes that means we cry, other times laugh, some days we have a lot of fun, some days I can barely move from the couch, some days I/we ask "why" some days we don't, we pray, even beg, we resign, even give in, we believe, some times we doubt, we are courageous, and also afraid at times, we have faith, some times we throw our hands up in the air and walk away, - and so it goes, and so it goes, simplicity and its many layers.  Right?


Above is a monastery near our home -  they are a cloistered order - doesn't get any simpler than that, or does it?


21 comments:

Jackie said...

I hope that the Mother's Day get together is a wonderful and happy one for you all, Gail.
I wish you could have seen the smile I had as I read about your deck cleaning, setting up for grilling...and that morning coffee. How relaxing is that...sigh. Beautiful, Gail!
I do hope that your Mom recovers quickly. Bless her. Give her hugs from me.
I cannot imagine the pain that you go through, Gail. You handle your MS symptoms graciously and with realistic expectations that you make the best of whatever situations you face. That gives me strength and courage. You inspire me beyond words. Continue to take care of you. I know that you will. I can tell that from reading your blog and from the friendship and kinship I feel.
Hugs and love,
J.

Finding Pam said...

Gail, it is so good to read a post from you. I hope Skipp finds a job, though I know you will miss him when he goes back to work.

Sounds like you have been busy with chores and also enjoying yourselves. I struggle with the new blogger too. I'm still trying to figure out a few items.

I want to wish you a Happy Mother's day. Also to your Mother and your sister. I know you will have a blessed day. So sorry about your Mom's broken tail bone. I hope she it better soon. I think it is so sweet to get your MOm a corsage.

You keep inspiring me with your simple living. I've been doing the same thing as well.

Continued blessings to you.

Gail said...

HI PAM - oh my, thank you - and I so appreciate your kind, loving and understanding words to me. Happy Mothers Day to you - and I hipe oyur sister is well.

HI JACKIE - oh goodness, you are just so wonderful and so kind. I adore you and I so appreciate our friendship.

Love to you both
Gail
peace....

Diana said...

Plans for Mother's Day? I wish I even knew what that day will bring! I don't know if Jake will be home or if I'll even see my son. Well hopefully! The dinner you have planned sounds delicious! I haven't made Manicotti in years!
Your mom sounds like a trooper Gail. And I do remember about the Sunflowers for your sister. I know you will have a great day with family. Will your mom be able to come? I hope you start to feel better soon. I have made my text LARGE on my blog. I have trouble reading some of them too! Love you.. Love Di ♥

Gail said...

HI DI - we celebrate all holidays at my Sister's/Mom's place. It is hard for my Mom to get around,the whole dinner is designed just for her and what she likes. I hope your Mother's Dy is all you hope it to be and that your kid will surround you.
Love to you
Gail
peace.....

MadPriest said...

I've added a prayer for you and yours on the Saint Laika's prayer page today, Gail. I particularly hold Skip in my prayers. Unemployment is really shit.

Gail said...

HI MAD PRIEST - thanks SO much, prayers are so needed. I will be by to visit in a bit.
Love and high regard
Gail
peace.....

Wanda..... said...

This Mother's Day will certainly be one to celebrate for you and your family, with your mom's health issues and age and your daughter's return into your fold. Reality can be scary sometimes, but it's always best to accept and make the best of it. You seem to have a good hold on what is meaningful and right for you, Gail.

Just Be Real said...

Lovely picture. I love waterfalls! Hoping all will be well with the job situation. Mother Day's blessings to you dear one.

Jane said...

Gail, Beautiful post and message. You are an inspiration. Your faith, honesty and humility in the face of adversity is remarkable. I pray Skip finds employment very soon. I am struggling with the new Blogger design as well :)

Anonymous said...

google ..hallelujah acres....read the testimonies....

Have a blessed weekend Gail

Amanda said...

I read this before, but apparently didn't comment - eek! I hope your mother continues to have high spirits and that she continues to heal. I hope you're doing well also - I've thought you often. How was Mother's Day?

Gail said...

Hi Amanda - and thanks for coming by again. :-) Mother's day was filled with blessings like god food and loving family an our precious Mom part of it all! How about you?
Love Gail
peace....

Amanda said...

My Mother's Day was lovely - spent mostly celebrating my sister in law (who is in labor as I write this)!

Selah said...

Greetings Gail,

Hope all is going good - there's a cloistered order in Washington Heights, NYC...it's such a wonderful place to visit.

one love.

Eileen said...

My goodness, I've been away too long, I've missed so much.
I'm sorry to read about your Mom's fall, but I'm happy to read of your plans for your 'traditional' Mother's Day gathering. I hope your Mom is doing well.

And I was overjoyed to read about your happy reunion. A piece of your heart patched right back into place. Beautiful. I'm very happy for you, Gail.

I don't know when I'll post again, but I'm going to try to visit more often.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Eileen said...

Just stopped by again to say that I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. And I so understand your feelings. I remember a particularly bad time when my Mom was in the depths of Alzheimer's and my Dad was deteriorating physically and so depressed about both their situations and so frustrated about not being able to help my Mom in any way ~ I remember my sister Diane literally shaking her fist at Heaven and asking, "Why, God? Why?!"
I've shaken my fist at Heaven a few times too.

"The Lord Giveth, and, The Lord Taketh Away" is so true.

And it seems strange and almost cruel how life works out that immense joy and immense heartache seem to come hand-in-hand at the same time. But I like to think that God sends us the good because He Knows of the heartache to come. Or sometimes we can be in the midst of despair and He will send a Blessing our way, sometimes even a small pleasant distraction, a tiny reminder that He Is Here, and He Is in charge.

God Bless you and yours, Gail.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Gail said...

Thank you all who have commented - I am a little short on words - quite overwhelmed actually. And Eileen, u r right - I know - and I do see and experience those blessings to kinda balance me - I am simply heart broken.
Love to you all
Gail

Jackie said...

Gail...It's Saturday, June 2. I got your message about your Mom, and I want you to know that I'm praying, praying, praying for her. May God's blessings and healing be on her and with her, my friend.
Much love to you....Jackie

Jackie said...

June 3, 2012
Gail...It's Sunday afternoon.
I'm praying for your Mom again today...hoping she feels that touch from God that brings her relief from her pneumonia...hoping that you know that she is in my prayers.
Love to you and your family,
Jackie

Gail said...

HI JACKIE -

"thank you"
love gail