Good Morning!
I'm on my patio this morning, which has oddly turned into one of my most favorite happy places. Those of you who know my story, or follow this blog, know the significance of my backyard and the patio. This is a place to which, just a little over a year ago, I was certain I would never return. But this place has become a place of solace for me, and it's become my morning ritual to come out here with my coffee to watch and listen and to spend time with God.
I've made many, many friends here in this place. Each morning, Momma Doe crosses just up the hill in my backyard with The Twins....two beautiful baby fawns, who were just about the size of our dog, PJ, the first time I saw them. They're growing up too fast, as their cute little fawn spots are already starting to fade! Mr. Turtle came a couple of weeks ago. He's not here every day, but he comes around to visit every other day or so. At the beginning of the summer, Momma Wren honored us by choosing the flower pot on our patio table in which to build her nest, lay her eggs, and nurture her two baby birds, which we named Sydney and Blake. Momma Wren was quite a testament to the devotion which being a mother requires, as she diligently tended to her babies and her nest, being sure that the babies had plenty to eat, and that the nest was immaculate! Daddy Wren appeared to help out, too, bringing food to Momma, as she sat 24/7, it seemed, on those eggs just days before they hatched. (Yes! I watched them CLOSELY....more engrossed in watching the Wren Family's Story than I think I've ever been in a movie or even a book!) And there has almost daily been the appearance of a cardinal or two. This week, though, two bright red males have been nearly constantly flitting around near the patio.
My parents and PJ have Ms. Bunny, who has been a consistent visitor at their house all summer. Oddly, PJ only watches her.....VERY intently.....but has never made an effort to chase her. And Ms. Bunny reveals no concern whatsoever that she's in, many times, very close proximity to a lab-golden retriever mix, who, if he so chose, could eat her in one bite. Their 'relationship', as a matter of fact, is quite the antithesis of what the Golden-lab/Bunny relationship typically looks like! PJ and Ms. Bunny seem to be friends! Once, as my parents and PJ sat on their front porch, Ms. Bunny, apparently desiring a more intimate visit, jumped up to the top step of the porch and rested there for a time. Very odd! (By the way, we have no idea of the bunny's gender, but you know how sometimes you just get an impression? And besides, PJ seems to be 'in love' so, to us, Ms. Bunny's a girl!)
So, finally, to the point of this blog: I was sitting here with my coffee, watching my cardinals play and waiting for Momma Doe and the twins when a question came to my mind. Are our new friends God's way of bringing us peace? They DO bring us immense peace!! OR....have these friends always been here, and because we now view the world with our 'new eyes'', we're only now taking the time to notice them, and to nurture these new 'relationships' that we've established. I don't know the answer for sure, but I suspect the 'new eyes' have MUCH to do with it!
And so, while I SO hate the reason for which I now have these 'new eyes', I'm thankful for them! So odd to be thankful for something that's the direct result of a horrible thing!!! But therein lies our hope......that midst the most horrendous circumstances, God remains. And not only does He remain, He manages to absolutely inundate us with His most perfect peace in ways which we couldn't possibly imagine. So, really NONE of this is 'odd' at all! :)
Have a great day!
Julie
PS I'd like to ask all of you to keep my mom in your prayers, as she began radiation treatments for breast cancer this past Monday. So far, so good! Her spirits, as always, are up, and she and Daddy have made their daily trips to Festus for the treatments into an adventure, rather than a chore!! I hope I'm just like her when I grow up!! My mom's sister, Gaye, began her treatments this week also, and my cousin Jayne is undergoing cancer treatment....as well as several very close friends. I sure do HATE cancer!! Prayers appreciated!!!
