I wonder...

I wonder....words that often go through my mind. There is so much in our world to wonder about. At our church in our Sunday school program for children they use the Godly Play program which tells the stories and then has the children wonder about them and ask questions. What a wonderful way to learn about life and our world. There are so many unanswered questions in life so we all must have many times of wonder.
I have just returned from a trip through our lovely Rocky Mountains here in BC and Alberta. It was four days of just being surrounded by magnificent creation and beauty. 

 They are so amazing! We drove from Vancouver Island in BC out to Calgary Alberta going through four Provincial Parks all full of wonderful, some gigantic, towering mountains and the beauty of it was that no two were alike. 

There were many different shape sizes and colours of trees and rock.

 I could have just stared at them for hours. Many still had snow on the top and crevasses where the snow lay deep. 

Some were bowl shaped with deep snow, others had waterfalls pouring down their sides. 

As we drove along the words "I wonder" were constantly going through my mind. As a student I loved geography.

I loved learning about how the mountains and layers of rocks were formed. Sadly most of the detailed information has left me. So I couldn't help but wonder how these beautiful formations were created. 

Why some had sharp peaks, why others dropped off suddenly and why some were rounded on top. 

In some ways I think the mountains are so much like ourselves. We are all so very different and no two are 100 percent alike. 

We are all physically different and the circumstances of our life have helped to create our personalities. Just like the mountains different circumstances have created unique people. As with the mountains, we are all beautifully created and all wonderfully made and just as I wonder about the mountains we can also wonder about people.  What has made them become the people they are. Even though we may wonder about their choices or ways we can still accept them just as they are.

Just like these "Three Sisters" we can be created similar and yet differently and all live in peace side by side each of us with our own gifts and beauty. I truly believe we can have peace in this world...when and how will that happen? I can only wonder...

White Space

Many years ago at our church where I work we had two new people come to minister to us. Bulletins were reformatted to make them easier to read - as the minister said "white space" was added so that our eyes weren't over loaded. Our hallways were cleared of most of the bulletin boards and things were just all around tidied and cleaned up. What a change it made to our church. Things were brighter, more welcoming and much more calming. We had added what I now like to call "white space" - an area that is uncluttered by words and items that can cause our minds to be overwhelmed. Those days of keeping the church office and building clear taught me a lot and I find when I declutter my office I can work and think so much easier. 

Lately I have been cleaning up my house - getting rid of the knick knacks  (mainly due to my new feline friend) and trying to bring some of that white space into my home. I find my home much more restful and hopefully more inviting to those who come to visit. It's not perfect by any means. I have grandchildren and way too many toys for them to entertain themselves with but some things are just necessary.

This past Easter there were six services offered over three days at our church. I have never been one to skip Easter but this year I decided I needed to. I needed to have some time away from work and being busy. I needed to add some "white space" into my very full and busy life so I ran away to my "home away from home" in Comox. 

My daughter and son in law have a beautiful home there that is only a five minute walk from the ocean and a ten minute walk to some beautiful forest trails and I know I am always welcome to stay and visit. 

I spent two days there hiking and caching and just taking in the beauty of our wonderful island. It restored me, helped me to relax, refocus and to just be happy. 

Our first hike was a small two hour stroll through the woods near their home. A lovely huge forested park where many go and walk their dogs. Yes it is also full of caches so a one hour stroll turned into a two hour hike much to my daughter's dismay. 

Saturday we went with friends up to Campbell River and hiked the Ripple Rock trail. The 8km trail is so beautiful and I certainly will return to hike it again. 

 It has a couple of steep parts but the views are well worth the climb. Between the view points you walk along a forested ridge looking down at the water.

 The trail takes you out to a view point that looks down on Seymour Narrows and Ripple rock. Ripple Rock is an underground mountain which in the past was causing problems with the shipping route. In 1958 they "blew" the top off of it in the largest non nuclear explosion ever. I guess they created their own "white space" so the ships could safely pass through. 

The waters in the narrows are memorizing to sit and watch as the small whirl pools come and go. It was a great hike with much to take in and enjoy and a wonderful way to end my time with my daughter. 

The rest of the weekend was spent at home with my family enjoying Easter breakfast together, an egg hunt and

even going to the Forest Museum to ride the train. 

It was a weekend that was full of blessings and good times. I was able to return to work feeling rested and restored. 

Our lives can get so full and so busy that we become overwhelmed with all that we need to do. It is so important for us to take time for ourselves and create some space in our lives. Whether it involves tidying up our living and working areas, taking time away from everything to go hike a trail or sitting quietly to meditate, or head out on a an adventure with friends. We all need that "white space" in our calendars and in our lives so that we can truly be present when we need to be. 

Our society has gotten so busy, so fast moving that at times things can just blur into each other. Some may feel guilty taking time out for themselves but I think we all need those breaks. If we walk into a room and it is full of stuff..how can we even begin to see what is actually there - it can be overwhelming. If our schedules are so full of commitments how can we breathe and feel peaceful. I hope that we can all find some "white space" - not only in our physical spaces but also in our lives. It truly will and does make a difference.

Storms of Life

It was a great weekend up in Comox even though the weather was very stormy.  Sara and I managed to go snowshoeing Saturday morning and were so blessed with the quiet nature often provides after the falling of fresh snow. 

We followed the path through the trees and out into the open. The Whiskey Jacks were very happy to see us and came down to greet us. 

The snow lay heavily on the tree branches and the world looked black and white even though the trees were green. 

The snow with its depth had shades of blue where holes had been made. It was just truly beautiful. 

It was a great place to just breathe and enjoy the quiet, let go the stresses that life often brings to us. Lately I have been trying to find ways to let go of the frustrations in my life, to just notice and move on. It isn't very easy except on days like to today when I was just totally taken away by the beautiful mountain scenes that surrounded us. 

We snowshoed for an hour and then headed back down the mountain. Within a couple of hours the wind had picked up and rain began to come down. I attempted a walk to the beach to see the waves in the storm but by the time I was across the street from the beach I was forced to turn back. The rain was stinging my face and I could barely move forward. I knew it wasn't fair to the dog that accompanied me so we headed back and ended up driving down in the car. 

I have never experienced such wind and rain. I so wanted to capture it in pictures but I couldn't hold the camera still enough to get any pictures plus I was drenched from just stepping outside the car. It continued to storm all through the night and we lost power a few times. It turned our world into complete darkness. In the morning the sun shone but the wind continued to blow although not nearly as fierce as it had the night before. 

 

The whole weekend just reminded me so much of all that life is full of. Peaceful beautiful moments filled with blessings and then the storms that come up and bring the darkness to our lives. Thankfully after the storms those wonderful calm moments return to us. 

I have to remember during those frustrating times in my life - not to let my feelings storm and bring darkness but to just let it go knowing that nothing good will come from releasing the storm inside. One just needs to focus and wait for the happy feelings that will eventually follow. 

photo courtesy of Sara Cole

We all know that there are more beautiful moments in life than dark stormy ones so just wait for them, they will come!

2017 - A Year Full to the Brim!

Today is the last day of a wonderful year that was full of adventures and new beginnings. Each year seems to go faster than the last year and this year has been no exception. I started the year off with a small hike and ended it with another small hike, both in the snow which is rather strange seeing as we don't normally get a lot of snow here on the island. 
I am so thankful for all of the great adventures I have had with friends over this past year. Thankful to be able to get out in nature and explore and see some of the wonders of this world. 

The year began with a little place -  Crofton Lake,

followed by snowshoeing with my daughter and son-in-law in Strathcona Park. Always a fun time!

Then there was the wonderful hike with my Mom, who is in her 80's - taking her to Stoney Hill was a gift I will always be grateful for!

 It was a year full of hikes - East Sooke Park with the hiking group, 

a couple of trips to Gabriola with my pals

a few nice hikes over on the Sunshine Coast during vacation time. A wonderful place to explore and explore. 

There were also many quick hikes up Mount Tzouhalem, Stoney Hill and Genoa Bay on days when there wasn't time to venture further a field. 

Hiking with my grandchildren at Goldstream Park, Eves Park, Kinsol Trestle and Stoney Hill are adventures I will also treasure. 

It was a year full of blessings as I welcomed two new little boys into my life. There will now be four little ones to take out into the woods and explore the trails and beaches of our island. Seeing nature through their young eyes has me being more appreciative of the little things in creation. 

In among the hikes there were also a couple of trips out in the kayak with my friends, times that I always look forward to and am thankful for.  Exploring the land from the sea is always a delight - its fun to look at the shoreline and see it all from a different view. Like looking at life from both sides. 

In the fall I also did a 43km walk with my sister and friends. It was a long day hiking on the Trans Canada trail from Shawnighan Lake to Lake Cowichan. A wet day but certainly one to be treasured. 

I also finally made it out to Avatar Grove thanks to my friends. The old growth forest and huge trees are just amazing out there. 

There were way too many hikes on the island to even try to mention them all but as for hiking the highlight of my year was definitely my four day hiking trip in Strathcona Park with the Walker family. We hiked up Mount Albert Edward - a climb that had me out of my comfort zone and reaching new heights. It was a hike that brought me new confidence and an achievement I will always be proud of.

As a new year approaches I can't help but think of what lays ahead. What great adventure will I embark on. Life is never easy and we must all strive to reach new goals to stretch ourselves, to have the confidence to try new things. Words that I heard on a show, "Call the Midwife" remind me that I must have faith. 

"Some might call it confidence, others name it faith, but if it makes us brave the label doesn't matter for it's the thing that frees us to embrace life itself." 

These words are so true - the label doesn't matter but what does matter is that we find confidence or have faith in ourselves so that we can be brave to try new adventures. Adventures outdoors, adventures in our careers anything that has us embracing life. As we all know life is so short and so precious. Being able to try new things, explore new avenues and celebrate life has us living life to its fullest. 

I am so thankful for my family and friends who were there filling this year full to the brim with new adventures, new life and new accomplishments. Looking ahead to 2018 - I can't imagine how it will ever top this year but in its own way I have faith that it will.  Staying positive in a world so full of angst is not always easy but we must be free to embrace all that life has to give us. In striving for and reaching new heights and accomplishments we gain the strength to handle the down times that occur.   I will have faith, I will be free to embrace life and all that it blesses me with. Wishing us all a year full of new adventures - welcome 2018!

Turned Around

As Christmas approaching life gets busier and busier. So many events to attend, decorating the house, baking and many other things which are all things of great fun. Sadly though there are only so many days in the week to fit it all into leaving very little time for hiking. Thankfully today we were able to get out on the trail and hike up to the ridge on Mount Tzouhalem. When we left the valley it was covered in fog and we thought we were in for a mystical time up the mountain, taking a GPS in case we couldn't see our way. However when reaching the parking lot we were up well above the fog and as we began our hike we were able to look down on our fog covered Cowichan Valley. It was to be a quick hike up to the cross and back, a trail we have done many times.

As we hiked towards the cross we came to the old logging road that leads to the ridge. We had come down from the ridge a few times that way but never gone up. We decided to change our plans and hike to the ridge instead of the cross. We followed the trail along and I felt really comfortable that I was leading us in the right direction, and I was until we came to a junction. I chose the trail to the right and yet after a ways it didn't look familiar at all and so we turned around and went in the other direction. We still could not see the ridge or the water on the other side. At one point my friend said oh this is where we came down from but I wasn't so sure that was the way to go and headed further down the trail but it soon became obvious that she was correct and we had to turn around once again. Thankfully, we soon came to ridge and enjoyed the wonderful views down onto Cowichan Bay. 

It always amazes me how turned around I can get in the woods and I'm always thankful for my friends sense of direction to get us heading in the right direction.  Life can be like that as well. We set off on a path confident of the outcome, feeling it is the best "pathway" for us to take. Then all of a sudden circumstances can have us feeling lost and unsure of whether we are on the true path. We have gotten ourselves turned around from our original goal. At times like this in my life I have always been thankful to have my friends. As with being out on the trail, your friends are there to listen and to guide and to sometimes speak the truth and say hey - you're going the wrong way or making the wrong choice. They are able to point us in the right direction. It would be very lonely on life's pathways if we didn't have our friends along to support us and for us to also support them. 

Life is always a continuation of choices to be made. Sometimes we make the right ones, other times maybe not so much. There are times when we all feel lost and there are times when we feel alone but hopefully we have our family and friends to get us back on the right path of life. I feel for those who are truly alone and have no one to guide them. 

Today was a great day and I am glad we managed to get up to the ridge. It has always been a favourite place of mine to sit and reflect. Although I never hike up there alone anymore it is a great place to share with a friend and relax from the busyness of Christmas time. A great place to breathe deeply and let go as we await the birth of Jesus. 

Family, Friends & Selfies

Today's weather of wind and rain discouraged my friend and I from our planned hike. It was just so wet but more importantly it was very windy and being out among the trees in a wind storm is not a very safe place to be. Still we managed a short hike along the river and enjoyed our time together. It didn't matter what we went and did as long as we spent the time together having an adventure. 

Being out in nature with family and friends gives us a time to share and to listen to one another. It's a time when not only can we enjoy the beauty around us but a time to reflect with one another on our lives and all that is happening in our community and world. It's so important to spend that time together. 

As I grow older I realize how important time is and how the time I have left is getting shorter and shorter. I want to spend as much time as I can with the people I love and care for. We all need our friends to listen to us, to understand us and be there for us when times are tough and when we celebrate the good moments in life. Spending time on the trails together gives us that time to share and to listen to one another. 

I'm at a time in my life when I am blessed to still have my parents with me and also have my children and grandchildren. 

As I watch my parents age and slow down their busy lives I am also watching the little ones grown and learn.

 I am so very lucky to see my parents love for their grandchildren and watch them  play with them as they once played with me and also with my children. It's four generations of family all coming together and sharing our love for each other, each accepting that we are all at different stages. We share in lots of laughter and we are there for one another with our struggles. 

This past summer and autumn I have made sure to spend time with my friends and my family, to have fun with them all and to be there to listen to them and I  am very thankful that they have also been there to listen to me share my struggles and joys. 

It's really what life is all about - being there for one another. Although some people don't really care for them - I always try and make sure we have one selfie taken on each adventure! After all life is short so we might as well share in lots of laughs, which always happens when you try and fit everyone into the picture!

Thank you my friends and family for being there for me and for always bringing a smile to your face for my camera. 

I pray that life will continue to bless us all for many more years, for many more adventures and many more selfies!