Five Senses Friday - December '11

The fog lifting in the Fraser Valley of BC.

(taken with my camera phone while zooming down the freeway)

Seeing:       White and grey.  I’ve been away for a week now…checking in with my father in the interior of the province.  It’s colder here than on the coast…below freezing and with an arctic wind blowing. Br-rr.  A few inches of snow fell a few nights ago so it’s looking a little Christmassy.

 

Hearing:     The wind blowing.  Howling, in fact.

 

Tasting:     Ginger Ale.  Dad has been sick and is drinking ginger ale...and so have I. It’s odd the associations this drink brings up for me...whenever we were sick as children, we were given ginger ale and to this day it takes me back to that.  We were never given pop or soda at any other time except at Christmas, so it always felt very special to be sick and get this treat!  It's interesting how these things can get twisted in a child's mind and taken forward into adulthood. What were you given to drink (or eat) when you were sick as a child?  Does it have the association of being nurturing?  I still find a glass of Ginger Ale to be very comforting.

 

Smelling:     Peppermints…how many people do you know who still keep a candy dish full of “sweeties” on their coffee table?  (My dad does.)

 

Feeling:  There are changes afoot in dad’s health and it’s difficult to watch him try to come to terms with this new challenge.  At 96 (next month) change in one's life is not usually an easy process.

And yet, life is always about change.  It seems to me that a successful life can be measured by our adaptability to the changes we encounter along the way…both the ones we think we want and the ones we’re sure we don’t want.  Do we struggle and rail against them or accept them and then look for the "fascination" with where this new step has taken us?  

Not always easy to do, but I'm practicing!

 

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. 

For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."

Scott M. Peck

 

Blessings to you all dear friends, in these last busy days and weeks of 2011.

 

Comments

[tanna]

The Peck quote is so very true. I have to admit a sense of dread about facing the spot your Dad is in. I'm glad he has his "sweeties" out and the comfort of Ginger Ale (we would get PeptoBismol in our house... and the smell of wintergreen can still make me queasy!). I hope he has a comfortable and joyful holiday. blessings ~ Tanna

[martie]

Sending you and yours supporting and healing thoughts.

Strong tea with sugar is what I was given when feeling poorly as a child. And toast. While I don't drink my tea with sugar anymore, tea and toast is very comforting to me. I hadn't thought about a connection until reading your post but I do believe that is why I enjoy those two things together so much.

Take care, Kate!!

[Patti]

We have a big box full of soft toffees on the counter of the shop where I work, a treat for the kids. We are constantly dipping into them, so a bowl at home would not be a good idea!

I hope you Dad is feeling well again soon.

Love your wintery pic!

[Serena]

I can't recall getting anything to drink when we were sick as kids. However, my Mum saw it as a need for a cleanse and out would come the laxatives, Laxettes to be exact in the form of chocolate squares. To this day, I can't eat cheap chocolate because it reminds me of Laxettes...YUCK!!! Not fond memories at all.

I love Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer! Mum and Dad would give it to us as a treat at Christmas or New Year's Eve so I do equate it to happy memories.

I feel like I'm heading into the area you are currently in with your Dad. My Dad turns 80 next year and his memory is failing and he finds it difficult to get around physically. This is currently being investigated. Mum is 76 and in denial. She still thinks my Dad should be out in the yard slogging away so gets very frustrated with him...not fair but I think she is finding it hard to accept the fact that they are both elderly now.

I hope your Dad feels better soon.

Loved reading your five senses Friday and stay warm!

Love, light and peace,
Serena xo