The Fog has Lifted

Finally, after nearly a solid week of dreary gray skies the sun broke through today making it a beautiful day to take Lucy to the bog. The bog, while cold, was a glorious place to be. The sun breaking through the trees created interesting shadows. The moss, that clings to most of the trees there, appears soft like velvet and the smell of the trees and the wet earth is invigorating. I am wishing that I could be like Lucy, and run free in circles around the trees, leap over the dead branches piled on the ground and splash carefree in the mud. The bog is a place of constant renewal. Everything here dies and renews itself over and over again and today after so many days in dreariness I too find myself by renewed and rejuvinated. My thoughts wander to my friend far away struggling with his pain. I want to package all this beauty and send it to him in hopes that he will find strength in it. Maybe if I send him enough sunshine and beauty and warm earth smells the fog will lift for him as well and he will find healing and peace and rejuvination.

Diane Xinyue Gong, B.Sc., B. Ed.

I was filled with emotion as I watched this young woman take her place on stage yesterday to receive her second degree from the University of BC. To have been able to watch this young woman grow from a small frightened sad little girl to a happy young woman has been one of my greatest pleasures in the last eight years. I so remember the first day I met Diane. She was so eager to speak to me and I think so happy to have someone to tell about her beloved life in China. It was not easy to see such a homesick little girl trying to be so brave. She would smile shyly at me as she struggle to act as translator for her parents and me. Sometimes I knew that she wanted nothing more than to tell me her own tale. Read me a Chinese story or explain a joke book from her country. She especially like to share the beautiful Chinese music that told such fascinating stories of the country she had left behind. She would tell me, when we were alone, that her one desire was to make her parents proud of her because they had struggled and sacrificed so much to bring her here. Eight years later with two degrees to her name... I think she can finally feel that she has accomplished her goal. Aero and Flora, her parents, have also accomplished their goal. Through their sacrifice and perseverance they gave their daughter a much better life than they had ever hoped to have. To have been allowed to play even a little part in this has been a great priviledge.

Yawn

We have been smothered in fog for almost a week now. For the last two days it has not lifted much even during the day. Walking in it is like being wrapped in a wet blanket. It is not cold really, just wet. The trees are dripping with water and it only takes a short time outside for your clothes to feel damp. I don't like this weather. Looking out the window in the early mornings makes you think of every horror show and suspense movie you have ever watched. And for some reason it is very quiet. The fog seems to dull all the noise. It is dreary... very dreary. The cats have decided to curl up with a friend and sleep till it is over....I'm thinking that is a wise decision.

A Walk Along the Fraser

Just a perfect day for a walk along the Fraser today. The sun was shining brilliantly and the water looked so calm and inviting. Lucy had a great time running up and down on the grass path while I soaked up the beauty.

Good-bye Karen

Karen Gail Canuel - November 1952 - November 2005

Thanks Karen for being part of my life at a time when I really needed friends. Thanks for being good and kind to my family especially my daughter Karen. You have been taken too soon, but I know that you, ever the stoic, always the optimist, would shrug your shoulders utter that unique little chuckle of yours and tell me "oh well... it'll all work out". I know that your soul restrained for so long by illness and poverty is now free. Free to soar above the dark clouds, to the place where sunlight dances every day, rainbows always shine and glorious sunsets never end.

"Wakan Tanka nici un" - Sioux Proverb
(May the great spirit always walk by your side)

Smile of God!

O beautiful rainbow;--all woven of light!

There's not in thy tissue one shadow of night;

Heaven surely is open when thou dost appear.

And, bending thee above, the angels draw near,

And sing,--"The rainbow! the rainbow!

The smile of God is here."

Sarah Josepha (Buell) Hale