Friday, May 22, 2009

Thankful

I left work early today and came home to pick up my husband for the journey we take every two months to his doctors in Baltimore.

And my gosh, (or as Christine would say, “golly day”) was this ever a beautiful day here in Maryland. As I drove home, the scent of the wild roses that bloom along the roadside wafted in my open windows making me smile. He wasn’t ready when I got to the house, so I sat on the little back porch in the shade and had a bit of lunch and drank some homemade raspberry iced tea.

George came outside with me and laid on the big stone step and we had a big view of the backyard. The picture below was our view but it was much earlier in the day and this was taken one recent evening.

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And as we sat there, we watched the birds flying from branch to branch in the big backyard, and listened to their sweet sounds. Every time a little breeze blew, spent blooms from the very top of the black locusts trees drifted slowly to the ground.

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And I thanked God for bringing us to this lovely place for my husband to heal.

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The trip to the city was the usual, with me doing the driving and I know the way by heart. I’ve been doing it nearly five years now. And while we waited to see the doctor, I thanked God again that we were so close to one of the best hospitals in the country.

Driving home, through the traffic and the noise of the city, and finally flying on 95 and then landing in a sticky traffic jam, I remembered that little vignette in my yard and it calmed me some.

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In my mind, I could hear the backyard birds twittering, and see the buttercups swaying and I could almost smell the scent of the wild roses again. I couldn’t wait to be home.

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It was interesting to read your comments from yesterday’s post about Talbots and their superb customer service. And some of you actually have worked there!

This weekend, I am going to do something special and I’ll tell you all about it later.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Second and fourth photos by my husband. I’m just sayin’.

22 comments:

Ellen said...

I love buttercups - brings back childhood memories of holding them underneath someone's chin to see if they love you. Thanks for jogging that memory.

I don't think it matters what time of day or what section of 95 you are on, there's always a traffic issue. What a pain it can be.

Looking forward to hearing about your weekend plans.

Woman in a Window said...

I'm glad, too, that you guys have that beautiful home to fill up with and to spend some gentle time together there. Hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

Your husband is a genius with the camera. You should think about hiring him. *giggles*

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

bv said...

kate, your post took me back to a time that i was taking our son back and forth to stanford medical center....we would leave rural foothills, travel through the bay area and back again. over and over for years. i, also, was comforted by the thought of home. you touch my heart with every post. i read what you don't write. i always wish you both peace.
bv

Country Girl said...

Hey, Ellen, Erin and Di. All is well. And to bv, I want to say that I can't imagine my heartache at having to do this for my child. It's different with my husband, but a child . . . I hope your son is well. Thanks for understanding.
Have a beautiful Friday, all. It's thick fog out there this morning.

~ C.G.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

lovely post... i have a photo question for you... you may know that we have a new grand son, anyway my dad is coming here to visit and my grandmother is still living but has dementia and is in a nursing home in missouri, we want to take a photo of the 4 generations here and add grandma to the pic for a 5 generations pic... do you know how to do that???can it be done? can you talk me through it ? ok that was a bunch of questions LOL
thanks for any help or advice
hugs laura

Nurse Nancy said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog yesterday and for your words of encouragement. I ran in high school too and have not done it since but am determined.

Your photos brought me lots of peace on what promises to be a crazy day....our community had its first confirmed cases of H1N1 yesterday and parents are all nervous....lots of phone calls today.

Mental P Mama said...

So beautiful. I agree that your place is a blessing. Hope the appointment was okay....

Maria said...

I needed this reminder this morning. I love how you were truly in each moment as it was happening, the awareness, the act of being present, the appreciation of the beauty in that moment alone, this was beautifully documented, thank you

Deb said...

I love the fact that you find your peaceful place when in the midst of traffic. More people should practice that instead of flipping the bird. I for one, will remember your technique.
You and your hubby are wonderful photographers.
How was his check up?

Daryl said...

Its such a beautiful place ... clearly its got a healing power that works on both of you ... and that's a good thing .. xoxox

Barb said...

Hello,
I come by often to see your beautiful pictures - rarely comment, tho. Just wanted to tell you today that the calming influence of your tranquil setting in Nature will serve you well. I hope your husband's checkup results are just fine.

imom said...

I find it awesome that you can think of the tranquility of your yard while stuck in icky traffic! I do the same thing with a special beach spot I enjoy... I call it my happy place.

The Weaver of Grass said...

To think - I was in Maryland last week and spent an afternoon in Baltimore - half of it in Barnes and Noble and the other half just sitting in the sun. Wish we could have met for a chat.

Cindy said...

Your photos are always so beautiful. I really like the buttercups.

Char said...

such beauty surrounds you - you are very blessed, even in the midst of everything you are dealing with

Donalyn said...

it is so interesting to see the juxtaposition between your photos and your husbands - love it! And I hope the doc visit went well.

Mary said...

Such a lovely and evocative post! You should put a link over on Shutter Sisters -- today they are asking what sights and smells and sounds mean "home" to you...

Enjoy your weekend, Kate. Hope the good weather continues!
xoxo,
Mary

Puna said...

How beautiful your garden is!

FireLight said...

It is good that you and George had that time of peace and reflection, and that the weather was so lovely. I was esepcially glad to have you say you felt so good about your medical services...that means soooo much. Having confidence in the people who know you and understand the daily intricacies of the your husband's healing process..That really is pricelss no matter how many times we allow ourselves to think...well, it is what they are paid for ....It just takes very special and gifted people...or at least I believe that. I hope you have had a good visit.

ELK said...

the images are so incredible ..the trip to healing as well...you and your husband make a good team Kate
blessings
elk

GailO said...

Golly day! I'm glad you were able to find a place of peace on what must always be a stressful day...your pictures are beautiful as always