Uncategorized

Yesterday I continued in working through a mental inventory of my father’s household items.  As executor of his estate I need to know what is there.

By the end of the day I could lie in bed and picture each room and it’s contents.  At some point I’ll come back and put things down on paper.  For the moment I have an idea so that I can prepare for any repair, renovation or upgrades that need to be done.

By 11:30 I wandered up to the care home where my mother was about to have lunch.  Visiting with her is enjoyable, but her short term memory is short.  I’m not sure she will remember the visit, but I will.

When I arrived home at 4:30 I unpacked, had supper and am now going to relax for the evening.  So ends my personal retreat – which has been refreshing!  Thank you for your prayers as I have ventured out!

Today I continued with inventorying my father’s house.  You begin to realize that we all have our ways of doing things.  Dad was a writer and a record keeper.  You can trace all sorts of his activities over the years.  A very special legacy.

I suppose I was hit most as I was cleaning pictures off the fridge.  There were our grandchildren – and they won’t see dad any more.  Neither will I!  I broke down and cried for a bit.  I suppose that is a sign of a life well lived, that they will be missed!

Tomorrow?  I’ve straightened up most of the house.  I know where things are and what will need to be done in coming months as I work as executor of the estate.  So, now I can return to those things that struck me most and meditate a little on them.

To all a good night!

Well, I had the greatest time of visiting with my sister.  This is all a part of dealing with my dad’s death!  We were talking about what happens now, as executor (on my part) and personal guardian for my mother (on my sister’s part). 

And part of the discussion also recalls dad.  His journals are in my view.  His clothes are boxed.  His final medications are listed as they were administered, and then a final sign indicating that was the last medications given by my sister.  Finality in ink!

As executor of the estate, I have also looked over the house.  Foolishly, I thought I could fix a washer in the kitchen faucet.  So I just took a few things apart.  Figuring I would just look, until the whole thing burst forth, spewing water all over the kitchen. 

I didn’t know where the shut off valve was!  You soon become thankful for years of doing incidental plumbing renovations.  I guessed the furnace and hot water heater room.  Found the hot water valve right away.  But the main shut off?  I wandered (quickly, I must admit) following pipes in the ceiling.  Nowhere!

Back to the furnace room.  Look closer to the floor and closer to the wall.  There it was! I quickly shut it off and ran upstairs.  The floor was flooding.  Thankful for the old 60’s style of flooring with vinyl where the vinyl goes up the wall to form the quarter round, not much water escaped to the basement.

Of course, the big question was where the mop was.  Onto the phone with my sister – mop found and deployed.  But there was a need for a replacement faucet.

Again, sister to the rescue.  We have to go to the next town to find a hardware store!  Off she went, I mopped and when she arrived we put the new faucet in.  Less than a half hour of work (I’m thinking of becoming a plumber – as long as I know where the shut off valve is!).  Clean up continued and supper was held off til 8:00 pm.

Now I’m just enjoying the evening listening to some of my favourite music on my computer.

I couldn’t have planned a better retreat day.  I loved it!  I’m thinking of patenting this approach to retreats.  I’m going to call it the “wonder” retreat.  You never know what will come next!!

Thank you to those who have wished me well and will be praying for me as I head to a personal retreat.  I will be secluded in a house by myself in a town by itself in a province no one used to even notice!

As I packed I looked for enough clothes (no formal wear on this trip!), enough food (with the help of my wife I won’t starve) and enough mental stimulation (books, computer and other paraphernalia).

Now, since this is a personal retreat, maybe I’ll stay in my pajamas, fast and not read a thing!  Nice thing about this retreat – there is no fixed schedule.  I’m seeking rest, relaxation and time alone – well, God will be there – which is the best way to go!  If you don’t hear from me again for the next while, don’t worry, I’ll be back!!