Cherished Souvenir

I recently came across an interesting souvenir that my parents had brought back from their first trip together to Europe: a piece of the Berlin Wall.

 

When Germans in East Berlin were allowed to cross freely into West Berlin, in November, 1989, my parents were excited to visit Germany, which had been divided into two countries - East and West Germany - after World War 2. 

My father's half-sister, Emma, lived in East Germany. He hadn't seen her since he left Poland in 1929, when he was 19 years old. She had been a young child at the time.

I don't know how or when she moved from Poland to Germany. Was she married at the time? I don't know. But family members had been in contact with her by mail. So off my parents went.

One of the souvenirs they brought back with them was a packaged piece of the Berlin Wall.

Included in the box is  a certificate of authenticity and a map showing where in the wall the piece of concrete was taken from.

Is it legit? (It was packaged, not in Germany, but in the USA!) 

I have no idea - but my father loved the idea that he owned a concrete piece of the wall which, for over 40 years, had been a symbol of oppression - but which now was proof of the endless possibilities of freedom and peace.

Healthy Aging

My daughter recently sent me an article on Canada's oldest woman - 110 years old.

She became Canada's oldest when a 110-year-old man passed away.

Her children said that she was thrifty - of the "waste not, want not" generation (much like my parents). 

And she urged her children to love everyone. 

I love that precept! A loving, accepting attitude is sure to create a lightness of heart. That surely helps one live to a ripe old age!

New Blooms

Phlox are the brightest flowers blooming in our yard these days.

I originally bought four potted plants in four colours - and eventually divided them.

Now they add a dash of colour here and there in the yard.

My first yellow bearded lily is beginning to bloom, too. It was a gift from one of Terry's co-workers when we drove out into the country to buy plants at her husband's plant nursery.

In the early years, there was only one flower - but I see lots of buds this year. Glad it's doing well in our crowded garden!

Book to "Nibble" On

I often have a number of books around that I'm not so much reading - as "nibbling" on.

Here's one: The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days.

I heard about the author, Kate Bowler, from my daughter - who listens to her podcasts. 

She's about my daughter's age - but a life- changing cancer diagnosis a few years ago made her reflect more on life.  

A thought that made me pause and ponder is found in the introduction: "We have days that shimmer... We know how fleeting these moments can be. Some days are filled with fireworks, yes, but most are not..." So true.

After the flood, the basement cleanup preoccupied us. No shimmer there...

I'm thankful that the water is gone and the walls are drying out. But we have a long way to go before we get our living space back.

So I look out the window to brighten my days. The flowers in my garden - and the beautiful sky bring me joy. I'm so thankful for them!

Christmas in July

A few days ago, Terry and I headed to the Miller's Oven Tea House in Manotick for a traditional Christmas dinner -  in July!

I really have no idea how this tradition started - but it's a fun reminder (in the middle of summer)...

... that our wonderful warm weather won't last forever.

All too soon, winter will return. Christmas is only five months away!

In the meantime, enjoying a traditional Christmas meal is such a treat!

Conversation With Six-Year-Old

I had promised to buy him a gift for passing into grade 2, and he chose a nerf gun...

I was conflicted: I don't like to see kids with guns - even toy ones with sponge bullets. And then there's the potential danger of projectiles hitting the eyes... 

I probably should have refused, but I didn't.

Okay, I finally said . But if  you shoot at anyone's face, or hit anyone in the eye, the gun will be confiscated. I'll take it away until you're 21.

Why 21? He asked.

Because you'll be an adult, I replied.

I won't be living here, he said. I'm leaving when I'm 19.

Where will you be living? I asked.

He paused, then replied: In Spain.

(Hmmm. Spain? Is that because Spain just won the world cup?! Everything affects everything... I wonder how many little boys are now talking about a place called Spain?!)

Then and Now

I recently came across this photo of our backyard garden - next to the hedge - in the summer of 1999...

I took a photograph of that same garden today.

The hedge is much taller - and the two-storey building next door hides behind it now.

Time changes everything - even gardens!