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I was perusing through my blog site and was reminded that I have been writing this blog for eight years.  Much has happened since the beginning blog entry. 

I suppose we all want life to remain in a comfortable setting.  I noted that life has been full of change for me.  My comfort has had to be in God.  Others will come and go, circumstances will alter our lives.  God remains the same.  Yesterday, today and forever.

There are entries that are mundane – Mouse in the house!  And entries that are significant life changers – the death of my first wife.

I am thankful for those who have read this blog over the years.  My father was a regular reader of my blog.  In 2009 he passed away.  I miss his encouragement and comments.  Mom Cooper continues to read the blog faithfully – I enjoy her constant comments.

I suppose what spurs me on to write is three fold!  I enjoy the writing venture.  Words and crafting of them is just plain fun.  I also realize that writing helps me to see the world in a little more realistic perspective.  Some would call this therapeutic.  And, if in the writing, some help can be given to others, I am thankful.

Eight years.  Older than my grandson.  1/3 of the years of the age of my children.  Time given over to reflection on life and the happenings therein. 

For this I am thankful.

Sunday became very much a family day for me.

Our church family met and had a baptism, potluck and worship time together.  As the summer winds down, this ending to the season and looking forward to the next season was a great encouragement.

Then, we ventured into Saskatoon and met my daughter and her family for supper.  Their three children are growing like wildfire.  Thomas was born October 18th last year, and is an active 10 month old – quite eager to be fed and to see all that is happening.  Hannah is four and Christopher is seven.  Both Alli and Scott are blessed with a healthy and enjoyable family.

As we headed home, I had to be thankful.  God is good – although some days are clouded with doubts and misgivings.  Today was more a day for open eyes and smelling the roses!

We are now home.  For the next while.  Without a lot of travel planned.

As we settled in these last few days, we both recognized that this is not home, yet.  We had both spent time in the last while settling into separate lives.  400 kilometers apart.  Oblivious of each other.

Until courting began less than a year ago.  And now a marriage and a life together.  With the together things that go along with that.

The house where we are living has changed.  This is not the house of Ron, nor the house of Cynthia.  Amalgamation takes time. 

Yes, we moved boxes in, unpacked a number of them, and prepared other items for garage sale.  In that way, we have started to peek into the look of our future.

But we see with a glass dimly (a slight biblical allusion!).  Each day is an opportunity to learn something new.  To create a fresh encounter with who we are and what we are to become.

In that way, we are “making home”.  I know no better way to express the adventure we are on.  Exciting, frustrating, curious, consuming, fun, exhausting . . . all words that only begin to touch this new life together.

In vowing to commit our lives to each other, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I must admit, in an older age, I tend to think as fast or faster than when I was younger. 

I’m not sure if that is because I have more experience and observations, or if I’m just aware of more that needs to be done that I can’t get done in one day!

A few years ago I noted that a number of Alzheimer patients I met had been extensive readers and thinkers in their younger years.  I remember one particular example where this person awoke in the evening and had a pad of paper beside her bed.  Any time another thought appeared, she would jot it down.

Perhaps, and I say this without any great research or proven theories, old age needs to learn to think less.  In order to preserve our mental capabilities, the less responsibility we assume, the better. 

Of course, we recognize this as a society.  We have succession plans for businesses, and we have thing called “retirement” that is designed to slow us down.

The real question, though, is how do we make this a part of our lives?  Other research tells us that we should be exercising our minds more as we get older.  Where and what is the happy medium?

One of those extra thoughts that popped into my head this morning.  Is that a good or a bad thing??