we took the kids to the george c. reifel migratory bird sanctuary last weekend. i didn't even know it existed until a few months ago.
i never fail to find myself in awe when my view of our vancouver backyard expands.
it was a wonderful afternoon, full of excitement and discovery. i'll never forget how happy the kids were, to clutch a small bag of bird seed as we explored the trails: offerings for friends they hoped would follow them home. i think we'll go back for an extended stay - with a picnic, drawing supplies, and a stroller next time. perhaps deeper into fall, wearing sweaters and toques. oh yes.
the idea of returning to a sanctuary is more comforting than i can say.
these days have been rather trying. the wife and i have been grappling with our responsibilities: what we control, what we don't, what we can help, what we can't. we've been weighing our obligations, coming to conclusions that are difficult to accept, making decisions that range from petty to impossible.
it's all just life, really. growing up is such hard work at any age.
to counter all the things that whelm with varying levels of ebb and flow, i am practicing gratitude.
i am all gratitude for the three people that are my home, my centre, my safe place, my sanctuary. because in the end, whatever happens, whatever choices each of us make, whatever consequences follow, we return to each other, and start again.
how lovely! It had been trying times for us too . I cannot seem to find my rhythm. There is always a routine and order I miss when I was a working mom outside the home. Now its me feeling like a slacker. Feeling like I want to create and do more but always coming up short. My sanctuary today was my shower. I left my girl on the bed with a pile of books and the door open. I felt newer even if for a few.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking me along with you on your sanctuary and for that I am grateful too.
perhaps 'tis the season? change, perhaps. still trying to find solid ground. i am such a dreamer though and find it rather hard to accept reality which makes it harder than it needs to be, for me anyway.
Deletei have never appreciated a good solo shower until i became a mother. i am so with you. xo
this is such a beautiful post! I so wish I could come with you to the sanctuary! xo
ReplyDeletethanks becca! perhaps we can make it part of our knit city weekend? hehehe
Deleteyou are a mama after my own heart. "we turn to each other and start again." beautiful.
ReplyDeletethank you for the kind words, sarah. and thanks for popping by!
Deleteyes, exactly. as long as that core is there the rest doesn't matter. it comes a goes and is really just fluff.
ReplyDeletesome fluff is definitely harder to repel than others. and you know just how impatient i am. times are trying, but not terrible. grateful for you and your family too. xo
DeleteSo beautiful! These times seem trying for many of us. We are constantly in flux even when nothing is really changing. Throw in some real changes and I feel totally off kilter.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great long weekend! Thanks again for the beautiful writing.
SarahG
Violingirl76
so true, sarah! the wife and i are always saying that just when we've gotten used to a stage in our lives, that's when the tides change and we're starting over again. it's hard but all good, too.
ReplyDeletedo we share a long weekend? i wish you a wonderful one, as well, if so.
thank you for the kind words. i'm enjoying getting to know you virtually! :)