February to Forget? Not!

Days of bitter cold blustered by on crystallized sheets of snow - mountains of snow. As per my desktop calendar Kidlet slid into adulthood, unexpectedly. Hearts and love exchanged; dinners prepared and shared; many birthdays celebrated; expectant babies warmly anticipated; and an epic anniversary commemorated. February was ripe with occasion.

Nights of haunting winds howled as fingers tapped keyboards, scrutinizing, imagining, reliving the words dancing across the screen. Versions and versions edited, saved and shared. Although the stories are not my own, familiarity with the words and phrases born of hours of intimacy have seeped into my being and I now wear them.

A month slipped by without a single post to my blog. Was there nothing - no reflection nor retelling - worthy of documenting? February slipped by. It was rich. It was full. And I was busy.

I am putting the finishing touches on my dad's book about his educational career - Restless and Inattentive and we are so close. I joked with him that the book I write will be about an aging over-achiever father who is desperate to leave footprints in the snow. He already has.

And somehow I suspect that after his projects are wrapped and bound, I will look back the many years of this  journey of writing that I have shared with my dad, and be ever-grateful for this very privilege and the time together. I am already.

And so I bid February a fond farewell and welcome March with open arms. I will not miss blustery cold and howling winds as we move on. I'm ready.

Music Plays On

Legendary folk singer/activist Pete Seeger passed over from this world today to join the celestial choir  of the universe. It saddened me but knowing that he lived out his ninety-four years so fully let sadness give way to gratitude.

The list of the songs he wrote and performed reads like a playlist of my life... songs woven in and amongst the mundane and the monumental. Goodnight Irene was one of first songs I learned to play on my guitar; We Shall Overcome was an anthem at our student protests back in the day when my classmates and I were "small c" communists; and Turn, Turn and Where Have All the Flowers Gone? were favourites at the sing-songs we used to end our famjams with, back in the day before our leading vocalists became angels.

"We all go to different churches or no churches, we have different favorite foods, different ways of making love, different ways of doing all sorts of things, but there we’re all singing together. Gives you hope.”   

- Pete Seeger

Thank you Pete Seeger for the joy and passion you inspired with your music, and for leaving this world better for having you in it.

Still Inspiring

Dr Martin Luther King has been gone for decades, yet in his absence, his words continue to inspire and provoke thought and debate. One man, great in his thinking, his challenges to, and expectations of, each one of us, and great in his gift of igniting our inner champion. There are so many beautiful MLK quotes, however I think the one below is powerful in its simplicity. Thank you Dr King.

Repurposed from Wayne Dyer site

Investments

There they stood posing, faces gleaming, proud and tall, in front of the few possessions they have and need for secondary school: a bucket, a foam bedroll, a small suitcase, and backpack. The directors of Good Hope had posted pictures on Facebook of the handful of students that were headed off to Pasua Secondary Boarding School in Moshi; a handful of students with dreams and determination and fortunate enough to have sponsors who want them to succeed. 

I studied each picture and face carefully, looking for clues and proof of their excitement. These children are not strangers to me. I learned their names, shook their hands, hugged them, and heard their hopes for their future. I couldn't help but invest. And that is exactly what I believe sponsoring an education is - an investment. There is no better gift than an opportunity to pursue one's dreams, and for these kids living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in challenging home environments, it is a lifeline.

I couldn't help but remember how our car bulged with furniture, clothes and boxes when we dropped our kids off at university, and the number of trips to unload it. Quite the polar opposite for the Good Hope kids who travel light with their few belongings tucked into a tidy metal box, and the new bedroll and bucket that came with the sponsorship. Life is both simple and complicated in the Majengo neighbourhood in Moshi. The school and home environments are what we would call "minimalist" while the health and socioeconomic challenges are cluttered and complex. 

Our money has a lot of clout in developing nations and has much more impact than here at home. The amount we pay for a pack of chewing gum can purchase 5 notebooks, and provide exponentially more bang for our buck. 

I found a generous sponsor for my serious young friend David and when I assured him that his sponsor, as a successful entrepreneur, only makes solid investments, he turned to me and said, "And he is investing in me, right?" 

I see it as investing in humankind, world peace, and in self. And for that opportunity, I am truly grateful.

Good luck Abdi, David, Viviany, Calvin, Issa, Ibrahim, Christian, and Veronica. 

David looking so serious on send off day

On Track

My entry card at the Y still worked but my body had to be convinced to participate. But after a few minutes of exercise, it got easier and I felt so much better. Not sure if it was an optical illusion, but my abs looked tighter -- even though I didn't do any ab work. definitely an optical illusion. Miles to go before I sleep...

I am so close to finishing my Dad's book for him, I can almost smell it. It's been a project half a year in the making and I am anxious to see it through to him holding its soft cover in his hands. He attacks each of his numerous projects with a zeal unmatched by anyone I know. I have catch-up to do in that department. He's a growing concern and tough to keep up with.

Harmony called last night and we talked for almost an hour catching up. While I was on the phone with her, Kidlet called, and a few minutes later, my dad. True to my word, I didn't bump Harmony for the others - I hate when people do it me. Got caught up with Kidlet on my way home from work today (yes, hands free), and then tonight as I spoke to my dad explaining that I had to cut our call short if he wanted me to work on his book, I received two more incoming calls. I can't resist the urge to talk to my family no matter how much stuff is piled up (point to dining room table still stacked with Christmas ornaments). Connecting is important and my lifeline to my loved ones. It's all about priorities, but for the next little bit, I think the book has to be king or (close your eyes Dad)  it will be the never-ending project. No worries; I won't let that happen. But for now, I am off to bed! Priorities people!

Detours and Bright Spots

I'll be honest -- last week was rough. I spent two days in bed sick with the flu, my energy level was an integer, and too much precious time was wasted. The house was a mess; I didn't make much headway on the Christmas pack-up and I fell behind at work.

On the flip side, I had loads of time to daydream, think, and make mental lists. I pursued a house that has been on my mind on and off for over eight years, and was finally able to cross it off my "want' list. Inside the stately country home, there wasn't a level floor or ceiling to be had, and hubby and I decided it was a project too big for either of us. And funny enough, I was okay with that. The outcomes don't dampen the joy we experience in following leads and dreams. After all, as the saying goes, "it's about the journey, not the destination".

Another bright spot is the work I have been doing with the Good Hope Support Organization, helping them with Facebook messages and their website. It keeps my connection with the Majengo neighbourhood in Tanzania alive and strong.

And now I have the finishing touches to put on the book my dad wrote about his teaching career. It has been a project near and dear to his heart and I am looking forward to the day that he can hold it in his hands, and that his grandkids can read his story.

Tomorrow is the start of a new week and my return to the gym. I've been away far too long citing excuses ranging from being too busy to forgetting gym clothes. The extra tire around my waist is proof of my negligence as well as my motivation to getting back on track. My pants will thank me!

I wish you are a wonderful week ahead. Who knows what twists and turns lay ahead... and that is what keeps life interesting.

Vortex

We're all talking about the weather these days; headlines in the newspapers, on TV, at work, and on my blog. We're experiencing the coldest temps and craziest weather in twenty years - apparently caused by a polar vortex - and it's not letting up. Polar vortex; sounds like something from one of those post-apocalyptic movies or something, but it's actually an Arctic cyclone that has settled and causing havoc all over North America. Now I feel so much better. I remember learning about the vortexes of spiritual energy when I was in Sedona but these polar swirling masses seem more sinister, and less friendly.

My car groaned and moaned before sputtering starting this morning, and it took 30 kilometres or so before the seat warmers kicked in. My butt was still thawing out when I got to work. Did I mention that the inventor of those seat warmers should get a Nobel science award? Or a peace prize? My car windows were frozen shut even after thirty minutes of being blasted by the defroster, and I had to open my door in the drive through to order my coffee. Awkward.

But tonight I am safe and toasty warm as I pursue long-held dreams. Many are not so fortunate. There is much to look forward to and enjoy - maybe a home with land; my dad's book; additions to the family; Kidlet and my sis graduating; and Fritz finally getting his long overdue bath and shave.

I am experiencing a vortex of love and good fortune more powerful than any big chill. And for that, I am truly grateful.