This hope-colored sky

Posted on by Sheila Leave a comment

AuntBett

My Aunt Bett, who lives on Orcas Island in Washington State, has fallen and broken her hip, and probably will not be able to go home again. Ninety-three years old, still spunky and bright, still living in her house (with much help from her gentle and patient son and daughter-in-law), surrounded by beloved books and photographs, accustomed to feeding the songbirds and the stray cats that come to her door, she is taken aback by transplantation.

Formerly fiercely sociable and independent, she has found it very hard to grow old, to lose family and friends, to give up her dog, her car, and now her nest. We call, we send our loving thoughts, we hope it makes a dent in the sorrow.

Here is a sketch of Aunt Bett I made on our last visit. I post with it a poem she shared with me that I love. Thanks to Jason for finding its author for me.

With Caleb Age Two on the Porch

My weatherglass does not lie;
This hope-colored sky
Will again be gray with rain,
But while the sunlight flows
Honey-warm and honey-slow
It is enough and more
To simply sit and rock
With this small and sleeping
Grandson in my arms.

—Ken Wood

CakeWeddingDoug & Krissy

CakeBalloons2Rob

CakeDaisiesAnne’s Aunt KT


Healing

Posted on by Sheila Leave a comment

Today’s post is in honor of dear and lovely Seska, married to Walter, one of my husband’s oldest friends (they were young adventurous guys together). She just had truly major surgery for ovarian cancer and will soon begin chemo.

Seska is many things—kind and sensitive social worker, artist and art lover, spiritual pilgrim, and determined optimist in the face of adversity. Most recently she has been working in post-earthquake Haiti, having accumulated a collection of musical instruments with which she has been helping children and adults to launch and re-launch music programs in schools and communities. Please keep her in your blessings, and think of her in your music-making.

This drawing is from Walter and Seska’s wedding invitation and seemed suitably hopeful. Their 14th wedding anniversary is later this month.

WeddingPond

Yahrzeit2Rob’s Dad