Judy Price is Writing

Sunday I wrote about the magnificence of nature in our world, related to sightings of  late blossoms in my area.

Late yesterday afternoon tornado’s disaster struck again in the states, flattening everything in its path and killing more than one hundred innocents.

Wildfires recently ravaged a town in Alberta and its residents have yet to return, some to homes, while others to only charred remains.

Another Icelandic volcano erupted, spewing ash into the heavens, darkening the sky, and perhaps causing air travel havoc this year, similarly to last.

I heard the roar of the unseen powerful, wondrous falls of Niagara one week ago.

America’s heartland experienced the deafening, thunderous rage of inexplicably vast and sudden tornadoes yesterday.

Our world did not end for everyone Saturday, as predicted by some. 

However, continuing inexplicable ‘natural disaster’ devastation in various locations on earth does indicate that our living planet is not at peace.

The only control we mortal beings have is to find solitude within ourselves.

Peaceful connectivity with each other and our earthly home will help our planet to heal.

May 21st felt like summer, unlike the previous Saturday.

On that day, a very misty spring accompanied my hike from Fort Erie along the Niagara River to the Falls.

I hadn’t been in that area for a few years, nor approached Niagara Falls from that direction on foot before.

Being able to hear the roar and yet not see the rushing waterfalls, I felt a little disappointed I must admit. 

No matter how many times I have encountered these same Horseshoe Falls throughout my lifetime, on various occasions during every season and time of day or rainbow-lit night, their magnificence always thrills me.

This particular time there were other sights to capture my attention.

An old railway bridge arose from the mist as I passed by.

Pale and saffron daffodils, crimson scarlet tulips, along with milky pink magnolias delighted and surprised me as I came upon them in all of their glorious array.

These wonders of nature unfolding their magnificence before me in mid-May, were living proof that late bloomers are well worth the wait  . . . .

Twenty two months have passed since I last saw my mother and soon it will be two years. 

One year ago today I was hiking the Seven Sisters in England and wrote about this experience on my return; however, I was unable to post in my blog on the ten month anniversary of her death.

This had been the first time I did not write here on the fifteenth of the month.

Each of those first twelve months it was important for me to do so, as that gesture enabled healing to occur.

In spite of moments of sadness, I now feel at peace. 

In fact, I have a new mantra that assists my inner journey to that place where I am most comfortable . . .    Peace,  love,  joy . . .  the sea is calm.

Today is summer!  At least this is one warm day of hopefully many more to follow this year.

In actual fact, there are several rainy and cooler ones predicted for the indefinite future . . .

This is one lucky Friday the thirteenth! 

Another reminder to enjoy each minute no matter what the day.  The present moment is the gift.

On the terrace, as I refreshed my base tan, I enjoyed reading a book.

Felt sooo good to absorb the rays while laughing  aloud in sections, tears forming in others.

The sign of a very good read for me is one that can elicit my emotions in a tangible way.  As a writer that is also the goal for my readers.

Last evening, as a precursor to this delightful day, I discovered a little gem of a bistro in the city, thanks to a new friend I met while hiking. 

I will return to this particular spot on another Thursday, as I am told that is the night the locals gather.  It only took me 11 years to learn that! 

An indication that I really am a late bloomer, or maybe my timing is exactly right . . .

Time will tell . . .

Sunday is Mother’s Day in this part of the world, at least it is one day set aside each year to celebrate one’s mother.

For men, there is also Father’s Day in June to return the favour!

There are probably as many different types of mothers as there are women on this planet. 

Unfortunately, not all are the nurturers one hopes would conjure warm and fuzzy feelings at the mere thought of them.

All are human to be sure, with the frailties that state of being brings.

Some women have been fortunate to have had an excellent role model in their own childhood, and they become ‘naturals’ it seems in the realm of motherhood.

Others become parents accidentally and are ill-prepared for the lifelong task.

Most fall somewhere between the two extremes. 

Those who embrace the role passionately usually thirst for knowledge, and spend countless hours learning all they can with respect to raising children.

When there are past unresolved childhood issues, these can surface, most at a subconscious level, as mothers guide or merely observe their boys and girls as they enter each stage of development.

Opportunities for personal growth are afforded when this happens, or conversely unconscious inner turmoil can create trauma influencing parenting decisions affecting their children.

Now that I am a mature woman with adult children of my own, I recognize that my mother was an individual who did her best with what she knew while raising me and my siblings.

In her elder years before her death, my mother’s youthful personality came to light after years of being submerged while caring for others.

She was of a generation of women who believed caregiver was mostly synonymous with martyr.

Fortunately I learned the fallacy of this belief, although not before experiencing some of its negative consequences.

Self-caring is what enables one to be a healthy caregiver.

Whatever type of mother one has/had, the most important reason to acknowledge Mother’s Day is to express gratitude for the woman who brought a life into this world &/or the woman who parented that individual, you!

It is with great joy, as well as sadness, that I write this thank you to Lara Logan after watching her interview on ’60 Minutes’ this evening.

February 18th I wrote an article entitled, “Sexual Assault Exemplifies Human Tragedy”, after hearing about this tragic event in Egypt.

I hoped and prayed that Lara Logan would recover and heal enough to be able to return as a strong voice for change, and my prayers along with so many others are being answered.

Seeing and hearing her tonight, as tears came to her eyes, so they did to mine. 

There is an empathy she elicits from me and so many others now, that will strengthen us all while enabling her to find the resolve she needs to return to her mission and passion in life, as a journalist reporting human change globally.

Her fear, which is a normal reaction to the horrific violence she survived, will eventually be replaced with its opposite; love.

Love for her work and, more importantly, her love for humanity will overcome this fear.

I thank you Lara Logan for having the courage, which is facing fear head-on and moving forward in spite of it, to raise your strong voice, knowing your tears would follow, on ’60 Minutes’ as a prelude to your eventual return as the courageous  journalist you now exemplify.

With all of the grief that my American friends are experiencing in the states, I want to acknowledge these losses.

My heart goes out to you.  My prayers are with all of you.

Many tragedies are occurring worldwide.  All are important and deserve our reflection and assistance in whatever way we are able to do that.

Balancing all of this devastation is the excitement and happiness of The Royal Wedding about to take place Friday in London, England.

The global community needs to balance tears with laughter, just as each of us benefit from doing this individually.

When directly in the midst of horror it is impossible to find this balance ourselves, and it is the responsibility of each one of us to provide comfort and support to others even if  only in the gesture of sending positive, healing thoughts . . . .

At long last there is a warmer feel to the air and a sunnier outlook.

At least it is Spring today!  A gift to enjoy, and I did. 

One daughter is overseas and the other leaves tomorrow to join her sister, before embarking on an adventure further abroad.

I have been one of those very fortunate parents to have both children living close by. 

Being a mother of girls, and a single woman, it was especially gratifying for me as we all grew our relationships into friendship. 

How special is that!!!

Soon I will feel their absence.  Tomorrow in fact.

Easter without them will not be the same.

I have commented in earlier posts that holidays are lonely times without a partner.  Even more so without children to share each festive season.

Just need to change it up!  I have become quite adept at doing that in recent years.

Nothing stays the same.  That applies to me and my life as well.  

Perhaps I am a late bloomer, much like our April daffodils this year!

Better late than never . . .

Disheartening that it snowed here yesterday.

Of course, that is nothing compared to the devastating losses incurred from a bombardment of tornadoes in North Carolina and across several states recently.

Everything in this life is relative and fleeting. 

Unpredictable to say the least!

In this part of the world, the rhyme ‘April showers bring May flowers’ is replaced with ‘April snow showers bring . . . . ‘

Uncertainty or at least delayed growth.

Embracing each moment while treasuring one another seems the most uplifting course to take as Easter approaches.

The anticipation of resurrected life that this time of year signifies, be it through our Lord as a Christian or spring renewal as a naturalist, brings a hopeful attitude to all, which creates a certainty that life will unfold as it is intended and the cycle will continue . . . .

Where do I begin?

My week in the sun gave me more than I anticipated.

All four elements were experienced simultaneously.

Earth under my feet, fire from the sun, water overhead from passing clouds or in the sea, and air continually embracing me with warm breezes.

My eldest and her delightful company provided me the rare opportunity to connect with her and experience our relationship in a new enlightened way.

I will not get any more personal than that in my writing here, just to say a wonderful soul entered our lives enabling us to find our way to peace and understanding.

What more could I want from one week?

The inner voice I mentioned in my last post was more difficult to hear on this trip than I had imagined.

There were distractions.

One moment on the beach reminded me of the words I had last written and ironically it occurred on my last day there.

That evening the voice I heard was outer rather than inner and I believe those words were also gifts from God . . . .

Sun, Sea and Sand