Friends Close at Hand

 Back in June, I wrote a blog about life-long friends. These friends truly are precious. They have, for some seventy years, supported me in various ways–visits, emails, phone calls–and have managed to include me in so many activities.However, friends from long ago, and far away, do not replace friends, friends close at hand. Friends from long ago and friends close at hand together round out my joy and love. 

As we age, we realize that our friendship circles become smaller and smaller. Friends with whom we had weekly coffees, now are unable to join us–either because of lack of hearing, or reduction in mental acuity or physical handicaps. Some have died, making the circle even smaller. 

We are thankful for the group that meets monthly, usually at our condo. We meet to discuss a book that has been read prior to the discussion time. This group has functioned since the 1990s although the membership has changed throughout the years. We are grateful for this discussion group.

Relationships are a significant part of our lives.  We need connections, whether from afar or from close at hand. A group that has become vital to our well-being is a group of thirteen with whom we study an assortment of themes.This group has functioned for some years, but it was only recently that I became part of this fellowship. Mary and I have been calling it “The Rainbow Group” because most of its members are experiencing,  and are supportive of, gender diverse people in their families. We have grown to love each one for they bring a different perspective. For this we are truly thankful.

We truly have been blessed. We have lived in numerous places, and in each place we have discovered individuals who have made our lives so much better. In California, we were invited into the family circle and became life-long friends. One particular couple drew us in. They considered us their younger siblings. In Pennsylvania, even for the brief time we lived there, we made some dear friends, and spent numerous hours together. In Richmond, BC, we again found  individuals who made us welcome and considered us close friends. In these places, and in others, we made some precious, life-long friends.

Such relationships are vital for our mental health. We wonder how this attitude towards friends came about. Does a similar belief system create the climate for great friendships? How important are church connections for closer friendships? Does proximity count?

We have pondered this numerous times. Although we had good friends in early high school days, most of those individuals have dropped off our radar. The friendships developed so many years ago (see earlier blog, “A Tribute to life-long Friends”)have shown us how to love. Those precious friends taught us about making room for others. This has gone with us throughout our lives. How can we enlarge our tent to include people that we do not know? The lessons learned some seventy years ago, somehow have permeated our lives, and no matter where we have lived, significant relationships have been developed.

PEOPLE WATCHING: PART II

 

A food court for every palate;

From fancy drinks to shakes and coffee

The patrons buy and eat.

Then, hopefully, they put their dirty dishes

On the counter labelled, “Tray Station.”

No longer do the patrons need to clean their

Scraps of food and waste.

The mall has hired staff to empty trays 

And keep the court looking clean and inviting.

Some hesitantly wander in 

While others walk so briskly to their special vendor, 

Fully aware of what they want.

Some drag their kids and settle them

At tables and chairs to wait quietly,

While a parent orders food.

With lineups long, the wait is also long,

And children get restless in their waiting.

We truly are blessed!

When we think about the many in other places,

So many have no food, no safety and no hope.

While we sit at tables stacked with food,

Foods we  enjoy; foods that are so easy to obtain.

And foods that are half eaten and then tossed.

As I sat next to the “Tray Station” I realized anew

That the food we throw away is more than many families

Are able to scrounge for meals they pray to find.

They may need to beg or even steal

In order for them to live another day.

We truly are blessed!

We struggle to find ways to help.

Political leaders use food insecurity.

To control the many suffering such hunger 

Promises of food; promises of safety

Bring many people to their knees,

Hoping that this time things will be different;

Hoping that this time a promise would be kept.

But alas, once elected to help all the citizens 

Gain a better life–the leaders keep the goods, 

Not the  better life they  promised.

And so I say again, we truly are blessed!

26-07-18/21    GilbertG

What Brings Me Joy?

 

As I looked over my writings from the past year or so, I realized 

that many poems and articles have a touch of sadness or concern about

 them. I was not surprised, as I thought more about the feelings  expressed. 

I have experienced much sorrow as I think back over the past number of years.  

However, this has  been too one-sided. Amidst the sorrow, I have experienced 

many joys. In my last blog posting I mentioned friends from my high school years.

That is a turning point in my emotional state. They have and continue to bring

much joy. Therefore, I am committing myself to writing about my many joys.

Joys of marriage 

Mary and I are celebrating thirty-eight months of marriage,

Or, just over three years of happiness!

My grief certainly has moved from mourning to joy and

My life is filled with joyous activities;

Driving to Birds Hill Park or relaxing at the Leaf, Assiniboine Park

Or planning our next seminar for those North of 55!

Or even spending a quiet evening on our couch 

Watching a movie or sports event.

Joys of family

My heart overflows as I reflect on life with my children

And the joys they bring each day.

Phone calls, emails and visits spread throughout the week

Keep me up-to-date on what’s happening in their lives.

My heart beats just a bit faster as I connect with grandchildren,

And really miss the call or quick note when the time in between 

Is too long, at least from my perspective!

I love the hugs whenever we do meet in person.

Joys of friends

We truly are thankful for our many friends, 

From school, church or community.

We visit friends at Tim Hortons or at Boston Pizza

And sometimes for breakfast at Larters or at Sals

We have friends come in for coffee or tea.

These become precious as we remind each other

That our lives, well-lived, may end before we wish.

But always these visits bring many joys.

Joys of Church

We cannot forget the many joys brought on

By such sincere, friendly fellowship, 

Especially when we gather ‘round tables 

With plates heaped with many shared, exciting foods.

On other Sundays,our pastors challenge us in sermons, 

That make us question how we are following Christ’s example. 

The chatter before the service begins, or afterwards before we travel homeward,

Shows the love and caring within the congregation.