Warm and Welcoming Alberta
Here I am in beautiful Alberta having completed, as of tonight, a public talk, a weekend retreat for Wellspring members, and an afternoon program. I started in Calgary last week and today wended my way north, driving three hours to Edmonton.
Mind you, I wasn’t driving, rather I was driven by my dear friend and colleague Nancy. The truth is, I have been supported every step of the way by loving colleagues and friends, even before I stepped off the plane.
It is hard to explain the profound impact of seeing beloved Wellspring members, once again, in person. And new Wellspring members that I have only known on Zoom for three and a half years. There they were, standing before my very eyes! Plus brand new people who I met for the first time, on this trip.
What a privilege for me to get to spend time with all of these wonderful people and to pass on what I have learned over the years about Living Well with Illness.
Tonight, as I write, I am sitting on a chair in our hotel room in the small city of Red Deer writing this post on my phone. Everything has fallen into place when in reality all kinds of things could have gone wrong – tech issues, weather issues, other drivers …(we escaped the first snow storm of the year and a probable accident by seconds.) how lucky.
And such kind and thoughtful people in every program and everywhere we went. Tomorrow will be the last program on this trip, here in Red Deer.
And of course I did meet those beautiful baby girls – my great granddaughters. I got to hold Evelyn all morning on Monday and Isabelle all afternoon. Talk about happiness!! Tomorrow night we will meet again, and have another two days together before I return to Ottawa. Besides the amazing twins it is a joy to see their parents in action – heart bursting moments.
Now dear readers I will say goodnight. This day was perfect, and it was long, and it is time for sleep.
I leave you with a poem by Carrie Newcomer called Three Gratitudes. I found this thanks to Gratefulness.org
Every night before I go to sleep
I say out loud
Three things that I’m grateful for,
All the significant, insignificant
Extraordinary, ordinary stuff of my life.
It’s a small practice and humble,
And yet, I find I sleep better
Holding what lightens and softens my life
Ever so briefly at the end of the day.
Sunlight, and blueberries,
Good dogs and wool socks,
A fine rain,
A good friend,
Fresh basil and wild phlox,
My father’s good health,
My daughter’s new job,
The song that always makes me cry,
Always at the same part,
No matter how many times I hear it.
Decent coffee at the airport,
And your quiet breathing,
The stories you told me,
The frost patterns on the windows,
English horns and banjos,
Wood Thrush and June bugs,
The smooth glassy calm of the morning pond,
An old coat,
A new poem,
My library card,
And that my car keeps running
Despite all the miles.
And after three things,
More often than not,
I get on a roll and I just keep on going,
I keep naming and listing,
Until I lie grinning,
Blankets pulled up to my chin,
Awash with wonder
At the sweetness of it all.
Click here to listen to the poet, Carrie Newcomer, read her poem
Thank you so much for stopping by. Three gratitudes out of hundreds that I have is getting to visit my friend’s mother who I also love, three times. Experiencing the prairie fields covered with snow and the light and the shadows creating magic outside my passenger window. And seeing the incredible art and art studios in The Edmonton Wellspring House. And always the people. It is always the people, fellow humans who make life worth living. (I know that is four😊)
All my best wishes, Trudy
It was a joy for me too, to actually hug you,hear all your pearls of wisdom.so happy you can hold your babies.what a special gift this is. Safe travels home,dear friend.
Hi Jean: what a joy to see you and others in person! It will now be different on Zoom because we have met and exchanged hugs. Loved those chocolate chewies – you do pay close attention. Warmly, trudy
I am so sorry to miss an Alberta visit Trudy, but I LOVE and am visualizing you hugging those beautiful baby girls – your great granddaughters … and visualizing all of the joy you would have brought to our treasured Wellspring members! You bring joy!
Sending so much love and gratitude. xo
Patti!! Always so generous with your big heart!!Thank you! Thank you! And you know well how fortunate I am to get to spend this time with beloved Wellspringers even though I wont be able to see other precious friends. Still. Always close at hand in our heart-space. Hugs, Trudy
It was so heart warming to read your blog tonight. I am happy for you. You deserve every happiness.Since I have returned to my painting practice I have been a bit stretched for time, but our friendship is not, it always springs back, dear Trudy.
Dear Karen. What a lovely note to receive. Happy you are back in your studio and we will connect when we can. Always there. Warm and loving wishes winging their way westward. Hugs, Trudy
What a blessing to all those you spent time with Trudy! I appreciated so much all of our zoom classes and now read your blogs to stay inspired! 💞❤️ and on the weather note I think the next few days are to be a bit better.
Hi Gail. How lovely to hear from you. I remember you well from Zoom. It has been a gift for me to be here with all these wonderful Wellspringers. And the new babies. 🥰thank you for taking the time to say hello along with your kind words. All the best. Warmly,
Trudy
I can just picture you Trudy, lying there grinning, blankets pulled up to your chin, awash with wonder at the sweetness of it all 🙂 so happy for you xoxoxox
Thanks dear Janice. It is kind of like that. Happy belated birthday!! We will have a little celebration when I get home. 😊as always and with appreciation
Dear Trudy, this weekend Paul and I will celebrate our 47th year together. After so many years and exchange of cards it is a little difficult to say something meaningful. Reading your blog solved that problem for me. I will write a simple card telling my partner that he is always the main part of my daily gratitude journal. Thank you for your continuing inspiration. Terri.
Congratulations on this landmark anniversary, Terri. It is truly something to celebrate. Not just the length but the depth and the love. Glad to hear that my blog sparked an idea for you. Warmly, Trudy
I wish this for everyone. Thanks.
Nice wish for us all Janet. Thank you. Warmly, Trudy
Trudy,
Thank you for sharing your joy! I still remember how wonderful it felt to hold my grandson for the first time.
Blessings,
Wendy
There is nothing like it dear Wendy. Thank you for your kind greeting. Warmly, Trudy
What a wonderful visit to Alberta! I can picture smile, hugs, laughter, happy faces around you including Nancy, Karen from Gabriola. Thank you for a beautiful message. i will go to sleep hearing three Gratitude by Carrie.
Thank you dear Yoshie. It was a wonderful ten days and exceeded all expectations to be back doing my programs in person. Not to mention the new babies. :-)Warmest wishes across mountains and seas, Trudy
Hi Trudy, I’m a little late in reading your post last week but, I’m grateful that i did make the time. I feel like I was in the car with you sharing your travels. Congratulations on your twin great grand daughters.
Darby
Thanks Darby: It did feel like I had a carload of warm wishes, accompanying me on this trip. thank you for your kind note. Warmly, Trudy