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So, I'm out shoveling snow this morning around 7:00.  The night shift from the nearby seniors home is just out.  One of my neighbours wanders by. Wishes me, "Merry Christmas"! Now, that is a great way to start the day!  On Sunday! Easter is now past and I think I would add, "Happy Easter." The conversation then continued. . . "I bet you didn't think you'd be shoveling snow again." "No, I wasn't counting on it." At this point we both finished that thread of conversation.  I guess we have had over a half year of winter and enough has been said. I look forward to the changing of seasons.  As in my life, change sometimes happens at a rate other than the expected.  Some days I figure grief and sorrow are past, and a weepy day arises.  Not that life will not change, just that a bit of snow still is falling. And the snow waters the ground of a new day.  I look forward to green grass and new possibilities. God knows best!

My father was a weather forecaster.  He studied maps, checked out stats and loved history.  He loved to state that at least 80% of the time he was right!  Even if it had been 90% or more - the question was not accuracy. The real issue, when feedback came, was related to personal dislike.  You could forecast a blizzard and be "spot on."  And the forecaster was to blame!  Meanwhile, the kids who had a snow day, loved it!  And the forecaster was to blame! We had snow fall this past week.  And rain. Those who follow the weather knew it was on the way.  I think there is a bit of a change happening.  Forecasting used to be seen as a guessing game.  With improved methods, we now expect to know what will happen, not just guess! The weather forecaster is now the messenger who brings the news.  So, I'm hunkering down for more precipitation.  Let it snow (rain/fog/sleet), let it snow (rain/fog/sleet), let it snow (rain/fog/sleet)!  I'm ready (or not!!!).  And maybe, it is really just a guess??

I did not realize the meals this weekend would hold!  Lunch on Friday was with my associate pastor, my fiance and a new friend.  All held away from our usual environments.  A bag lunch at Ambrose University College as we explored life stories and looked forward to the future. That evening was a blended family meal.  My fiance, with her kids along with my daughter and her family met together.  My grandkids kept things hopping and the meal turned out very well. The next day saw breakfast and lunch with my fiance, my daughter, her husband and my three grandkids.  Always fun watching the tirelessness of children matching the older age syndrome called "I'm getting tired!" We rushed back for a meal with the pastoral staff and elders from our church.  I laughed so hard my side and back felt like they were about to burst. Today I join in the meal called communion with our church.  I am really looking forward to that.  Then lunch with my fiance, my daughter and her family, just before they head back to their home in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan. And then this evening!  I think I will actually sit down with my fiance, by myself, and have a meal together!  You've got to love those days of eating and meeting!

A few months ago I had set aside a time to meet with family - on both my side and my fiance's side.  The total commitment - Friday night supper meal and time to chat.  Maybe a few hours in Airdrie, Alberta. Then a snow storm hit.  A class that I was to teach was postponed until tomorrow afternoon.  Which meant I'm on the road earlier than planned. My daughter is coming with her family.  They will arrive for an overnight stay tonight.  And return on Saturday night.  Saturday morning and part of the afternoon Cynthia and I will spend time with them touring a dinosaur museum and a reptile world in Drumheller, Alberta. Our elders and pastoral staff missed having a Christmas/New Year's meal.  Saturday night worked well.  The plan is to be here in Kindersley by 5:30, with a great repast planned. Sunday services remain the same, with an additional afternoon service at one of our senior's homes. Sunday at 4:00 in the afternoon I will finally sit down with my fiance and breathe!  And it all started as a few hours planned a few months ago.