When I was a little girl, I dreamed I was going to be someone really important someday. I didn't know if I was going to compose music, write a prize winning novel or teach something meaningful, but the sense of being really special shone within me. As I approach yet another birthday, and also reflect on the passing of a few acquaintances who have left the earth in the last 6 months, I've been thinking about my legacy. I still haven't finished my book, although now I have several on the go but nothing completed. And although I have taken my children to countless music lessons and they are very accomplished musicians in their own right, I haven't mastered an instrument myself, let alone composed anything memorable.
As far as teaching, well nothing comes to mind that is either original, unique or even meaningful. It seems like others are teaching me far more than anything I could impart upon this earth. And yet, that feeling that a piece of greatness resides in me.
Thinking about my life, reminds me of a story I heard during one of my life's darkest moments. Have you heard the one about the little boy sitting underneath his mother's piece of needlework? As he looked up at the underside of the fabric, all he could see was a jumble of threads, some dark and others brilliant. There were knots with frayed ends and loops here and there. Nothing made sense and when he asked his mother why it was so messy, his mother told him that he was looking at the wrong side of the fabric. He had to look at the finished side to see the completed picture. Only then would all the threads make sense and the picture be apparent.
Similarly, as we are in the midst of creating our life, we often forget to look at the bigger picture, We only see chaos and the various tragedies, instead of the beauty of our design. And we may never know the significance of all the threads moving in and out of our lives. When I step back and observe my life's embroidery, I do recognize my legacy now and it is my family. No novel, or music composition could ever compare to the creation of our children. In them, my greatness lies.
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| Harrison on a beach in Vancouver (near Stanley Park) during Thanksgiving 2015 |
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| Kathryn and Victoria marvel over some squash and pumpkins from our garden...stay tuned for my spaghetti squash recipe |
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| A few minutes before this Grace was sitting on a rock on the beach and a wayward wave came in and filled her shoes with water.....and yet she was still smiling for this picture....Thanksgiving 2015...Vancouver, B.C. |
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| Kathryn and Victoria sitting on the pumpkins they chose while at our local pumpkin patch |
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| Will at the pumpkin patch shining brightly |
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| Harrison, Grace, Will, Kate and Victoria at Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C....the totems were so beautiful! Each one so different and tells it's own story |
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| My oldest, Alyssa, who is constantly reminding me to hold fast to my dreams as I watch her reach her's as she works and travels in the U.K. |
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| My son Mitchell from last Christmas.....we just booked his flight home and I can't wait for Christmas this year. I'm so proud that he is living his dream and enjoying his University experience |
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| The three older boys at our summer family get together |
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| My oldest son Clark is in his last year of University. He is deeply woven into our daily life and is a great mentor for his younger siblings.We feel really blessed to have the experience of children leaving the nest...it's then you realize what's really important and how fast their childhood flies by |
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| A rich, and glorious tapestry and each person is a shining thread |
Although I'm sure my mother felt the same. I'm perfect just as I am. And so are you.
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| My mom, Ethel, left a masterpiece in her tapestry |
As I move closer to my next birthday I'm feeling joy filled. Life is endlessly interesting and although it's not always easy, nor make sense at times, isn't that the point?
Also life is delicious~ can you believe that we are still eating each day from our garden? Today I went out to pick kale, tomatoes, carrots, beans, red cabbage and I even found a cucumber. Woohoo! Before I headed inside, I also picked some oregano, basil, and some green onions who have self seeded themselves. This is the longest we have ever gone growing produce and eating from our garden and it's been amazing.
I brought everything in and made what I;m calling Hope's Tapestry Salad. It's basically everything that is still growing in our garden, along with an avocado, feta cheese, parmesan cheese, nuts and seeds. Try making a tapestry salad with everything you love...throw it all together and watch the magic happen.
Hope's Tapestry Salad
Ingredients
4 large kale leaves
1 cup of grated red cabbage
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup cut up carrots
1/2 cup green beans
1 cucumber cut into large pieces
1 cup of Cherry tomatoes
Green onions...or red onions are great too
1 ripe avocado
1/4 cup of feta cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
handful of nuts and seeds.....I used walnuts and sunflower seeds
(My daughters and I love dried cranberries in this salad but if I want the boys to eat it...I omit them. If you love cranberries....add a large handful to this salad)
1 tbsp of lemon juice
Cut up all the vegetables/avocado to bite sized pieces and throw into large bowl, then sprinkle lemon juice on top. Mix up and add the parmesan cheese, feta cheese, nuts and seeds
Dressing
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
Splash of Braggs soy sauce
3 minced garlic cloves
basil and oregano leaves...I used fresh and cut them up but dried herbs work great too
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Mix all ingredients together and add to the salad. The key with kale, is to ensure the dressing is massaged into all the leaves really well. Unlike most salads, a kale salad will only get better after you have added the dressing. I made this large salad for our lunch and it only got better by dinner time. Rawlicious as well! I'm going to miss my garden but I'm already dreaming about growing even more food next season.
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| Most of our children enjoy veggies but Victoria is our green baby...she hasn't met one that she doesn't like yet. |
As the days get shorter and we have more time in the evenings to rest our bodies, I hope you have time to restore your soul, rejuvenate your spirit and continue to stay vibrantly healthy by eating lots of fresh veggies and fruit.
Let a tapestry of colours fill you with joy, peace and most of all..........................love.
And before I close I wanted to share a song I have on my IPod that always reminds me how marvelous this life is and how quickly time flies. If you can't see the video below check on the hyper link to Carole King's song Tapestry.
Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
Blessings from Hope
