The Grey Days

I'm not complaining. 

But there is something sad and contemplative about the smoke filled skies and the red rimmed sun that has me fighting off the blues. Without question, the people that should feel sad and blue are those who are in the fire zones. The people that have had to evacuate their homes. Lost their homes. 

But I feel like I was going full tilt into summer. Blazing hot days, clear blue skies, vegetation still bursting forth all around me despite the drought conditions. The spattering of rain drops we felt this weekend and the low rumbling of thunder were just a tease that we might find some refresh.  Crickets have made their appearance - a sure sign of cooler nights. Blackberries are burgeoning on the vine. Fall is right behind the last ripe blackberry. So I've put August into high gear to squeeze in every last moment. 

This eerie aura though...it's making me feel a little anxious. Outside my window are the industrious little citified farmers who tend their 8 x 10 plots in the community garden next to my condo. The early morning and evenings are usually delightfully peppered with their chatter. "How did your strawberries do this summer?" "Best crop ever but my peas didn't amount to a hill of beans." But the chatter was non-existent tonight. Like everyone else was feeling this slight apocalyptic anxiety too. 

The smokey conditions are making me feel a little wistful too. Unsettled. Between this decision and that. Wondering about a change. About what choices I have over my own destiny. I feel like there's a lot of things up in the air.  Nothing some nice quiet time won't fix I suppose. And perhaps that's part of my malaise. In my full-tilt summer mode, I've actually missed the quiet. I haven't taken the time to breath in my blessings. Or sigh sweetly over the fullness of the people in my life. I haven't been listening for God either. That's not to say He hasn't been speaking to me  through the din - but to suspend my thoughts and just listen for Him...I need those moments back.  

I'm not sure what the point of this blog is supposed to be. But I did want to relay my thankfulness for the people who cascade into my life - and remind everyone to tell the one next to them how much they are loved. It's important. Don't let the pace of life drown out those sentiments that mean the most. 

I tried to pick up a book today. For my grandson's 9th birthday. He's probably at that age where getting a book for his birthday is the worst thing he could imagine. I remember, at about age 3, the gift of clothing he received was not appreciated any longer because they were not toys. But I'm hoping I've found something to pique his interest. Not sure any of you have heard of "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart. I'm hoping it speaks to his own natural curiosity and sense of humour. I'm also hoping that... Well now...maybe I can't talk about that right now. 

Yeah - so hug those people close to you. Tell them they are your world. And mean it. 
From: J.M. Storm Instagram



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