A Time to be Thankful

Just as I wrote that, the sun popped out from behind the clouds that have been completely hiding it for several dark, dreary days! I have missed the sun. I always do in these fall and winter days on the West Coast. The clouds have their own beauty, the mist that shrouds the treetops has it’s own mystery. They add a softness to the landscape -- I guess that’s why they call these kinds of days “soft” days in Ireland. These pictures were actually taken on Saturday so I lied; the sun has made a few brief appearances this weekend, but they were very brief.

The West Coast is a perfect example of the axiom: absence makes the heart grow fonder. Having so few days where we see the sun for any amount of time makes us appreciate it so much more when it does come by for a visit. But even with these dark, stormy days, the Pacific Northwest is well worth living in. The beauty the rest of the year more than makes up for the rain we have to endure and many native Northwesterners (that would be those people born and raised WEST of the Cascades) actually love this time of year and long for it during the sunny summers. I on the other hand, grew up in Central Washington where we saw the sun often, though it was frequently quite cold and snowy in the winter. In fact, most of our precipitation in Yakima fell as snow. But every February here, when we are having some of our 50-degree balmy days and the crocus are exploding everywhere, even though we know there is more rain to endure, we think of our friends in colder climates and send warm thoughts their way.

These fall and winter days, though, are good days to think, and read, and especially good days if you are lucky enough to have a good companion to share them with, and maybe a nice fire in the hearth and a cup of rich coffee or heady wine. Not particularly good days for shopping or running errands, certainly not very nice for driving in. My good companion at present is a golden retriever who would prefer to be outside running and playing and smelling everything, even on rainy days, though right now he is resting his chin on my leg as I sit and type -- oh wait, I finished eating my granola bar so he has abandoned me. Why is it that golden retrievers love puddles and rivers and lakes and oceans and don’t at all mind mucking around through wet grass and rainshowers, but dislike baths and act like they are being tortured as soon as you turn the warm water on them? Maybe they prefer water at around 45 or 50 degrees.

These days I know I have much to be thankful for. I am warm and snug. I have plenty to eat. I can pay my bills and even have enough left over to help my kids if they need it and to donate to good causes. Today I was thinking about money and the power that often comes with money. Especially in light of the political campaigns that are in full swing nationally and starting up locally, money is critical. You could be the best person in the country but if you don’t have the money to get your message out, you’re not going to get anywhere. It’s one of the sad realities of our times. Money can’t buy me love, but it can probably buy me a political position. As Charlie and I were walking this morning between rain showers, I was wondering about power and money. And I wondered if love also brings or gives power. I think it does. In fact, in some ways I think love has far more power than money. But very often these are in ways that our culture and society don’t see or recognize. Except when you think about it, love is really what we are all looking for, and money and the power it buys are just very poor substitutes.

Having plenty of love in my life is another thing for which I am extremely grateful. Being back in the Northwest with my friends and most of my family has helped fill some of those lonely places. I will spend time on Thanksgiving with my sweet son and his family and will go see my darling daughter down in Coos Bay after Thanksgiving. I have happily reconnected with friends in Portland and Seattle, and especially with my faith community here. But wait! There’s more!

If you’ve read this blog regularly you know the loneliness I have experienced from time to time, the longing for a good companion -- besides Charlie, I mean. It seems God has answered my prayers for someone special to make my already-full life even better, someone to share the amazing beauty and joy of life with. This Thanksgiving weekend I will spend some time with Jeff, the new man in my life. He is coming down to Portland for several days so I will get lots of time with him and will spend some time with his family. His sister, who is my dear friend and who introduced us -- making her even dearer -- is hosting their family gathering.

After visiting my daughter, I will return to Seattle -- this time to an area north and possibly west of the city instead of southeast. I will be spending more time with Jeff, but also exploring some possibilities up there, looking at potential places to relocate. I would like to buy a small piece of land and build a cozy little cottage. I’ve looked at some plans and found some that would work well. So now that I’ve driven myself across the country and back, my next challenge might be building my own home (maybe with a little help from my friends and family). I want to focus on my love of sailing and that seems to be a logical place to do that, especially since one of my dreams is to sail the San Juans someday. Besides, it so much closer to Jeff. I think this is a relationship that is going to be long-term.

So as these fall days grow ever shorter and we slip into the quiet of winter, I am struck once again by all that I have to be thankful for. I look forward to wonderful days and times ahead, continuing to explore the magical world our God has given us, strengthening my relationships with loved ones, and especially strengthening my relationship with a God who is so good and generous and loving.

TravelinLady