I didn't get my first digital camera until about 4 years ago or so, and therefore I don't have a picture of this now gorgeous and tall Russian Olive tree. This is the best I can do, and it was taken 4 years ago. We actually planted it about 3 years before this was taken, and at the time I could get my forefinger and thumb around the spindly trunk. It wasn't much taller than I am (I'm 5'2") either.
When this picture was taken, I had lost (over the years) both my best friend, my father and a beloved husband. That was definitely some changes in my life that brought growth to my spirit, but there was (and will be) still more to come.
Life and nature both bring growth and changes to us and to what is all around us. Thank God for that too, or we'd be stagnant for certain. Although some changes are hard for us, still it brings growth to our spirits and to our lives. Like this spindly tree, it started out this way but change and growth over time has allowed it to grow into something beautiful inside and out.
Now this beauty towers over me so much that it's higher than the roof on our house, and it's NOT a bungalow either. The house is almost as tall as a 2-story but not quite. The trunk on this tree is now very substantial, and the umbrella its branches create now dictate that we walk UNDER it when on the sidewalk.
Since the time between the first and second pictures were taken, I've also lost my mother, making me an orphan even if I am older. More growth, and change. But like this tree, growth can bring beauty to the spirit of us. We can stand taller. It can bring determination to carry on the best we can, and make no bones about it we will learn to bend gracefully in the wind, or in adverse conditions. It only serves to make our roots even stronger and even more grounded to the earth. And the stronger and taller we get, the easier it is to reach the sunlight that nourishes and replenishes the spirit.
Other changes are lighter and easier, something to look forward to. Like my upcoming vacation for instance! In 2 weeks time I will be home on 3 weeks off from work and boy do I have plans! I look forward to this time of year every time I head back to work at the end of September. I know then that I've another entire year to wait, and I count the months. Well it's almost here and it can't get here fast enough.
Some of the things happening around our house dictate that I need some time off to do some work, and cleaning up / organizing some rooms is one of them. The old hot-tub room windows and doors are now gone and the new ones have replaced them, and although the room is still crammed with stuff and it's not organized yet, it still looks good.
It's almost too difficult to wait to get this all finished and looking good, especially when most of the things that go back in here are still all piled up in my living room and dining room. I hate this kind of mess that renovations bring to my life and my home, but this is the kind of change that takes something I don't always have a lot of: "patience". Ah..... this Grasshopper has much learning yet to do.
Knowing that we are getting close to what will look so nice helps though. This is the new look in there, and it's quite pretty in person. The view from my rocking chair in the den looks out this window onto the garden of flowers in the backyard. So at least I can still enjoy the changes made so far, even if I do have to remain patient for the clean up and organizing to begin.
In my den itself is where I'll be doing the most work on my vacation. I don't have any "after" shots yet but I will share them here with you once it's done. I've been waiting for almost 2 months to get this room done, and as it is the room I "live in" (computer, TV, stereo) the most, I've been hard pressed to dig deep for the patience needed to W.A.I.T. it out. But I'm hangin' in there!
Waiting and patience. More growth potential. I just have to keep reminding myself that I musn't live life "fast", but rather live it "well".
I'm learning.
Meantime, while I am (im)patiently awaiting things around here, I hope that you are all doing well and coping with life's changes and growth as well. To my Sista Janna, I'm walking beside you on this path you are on holding your hand dear friend. Take good care of each other everyone, and until next time.......
PEACE!
Love Jude
