Healing

“I didn’t expect to recover from my second operation but since I did, I consider that I’m living on borrowed time. Every day that dawns is a gift to me and I take it in that way. I accept it gratefully without looking beyond it. I completely forget my physical suffering and all the unpleasantness of my present condition and I think only of the joy of seeing the sun rise once more and of being able to work a little bit, even under difficult conditions.”
― Henri Matisse

(roses / Boston Public Gardens / Julie Cook / 2014)

I’m traveling bright and early over to Atlanta today, taking my son to a specialist at Emory as we seek some much needed healing of body. Complications from the kidney stones are not getting better but seem to be worsening.

As we travel to Emory I am very mindful that Dr. Kent Brantly is currently in Emory’s infectious diseases facility for treatment of the dreaded Ebola virus he contracted while in Africa treating the growing number of victims of this frightening virus. Tuesday Nancy Writebol, a missionary also in Africa to help those victims of the virus, as well as, the second American to contract the virus, will arrive in Atlanta for treatment.

I am aware, as a mother, how I am concerned over the health of my now grown son–I can only imagine how the families of both Dr. Brantly and Mrs. Writebol must feel. The fear of the unknown coupled by the knowledge of what a virus such as Ebola can do to the human body with a vicious and deadly rate of speed.

(roses / Boston Public Gardens / Julie Cook / 2014)

Today may we all offer our hopes and prayers for healing.
Healing for all who are currently afflicted by illness of both body and mind.
May we remain prayerful for those suffering in Israel and Gaza.
May we remain prayerful for those in China who were affected by yesterday’s deadly earthquake.
May we remain prayerful for those in Ukraine and Russia as that portion of the world remains in crisis.
May we continue to be prayerful for the families who have lost loved ones on both the Malaysian planes–one downed and one still missing.
May we pray for all in Africa who are afflicted with Ebola.
May we pray for all the healthcare workers throughout this world who work tirelessly to bring hope and healing to all who suffer.

(roses, Boston Public Garden / Julie Cook / 2014

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5

New Kid on the block

“I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth when all the world is new to it.”
Henri Matisse

The other morning when I was sitting out on the back deck, having my coffee while working on the day’s blog post, I kept hearing the oddest sound… whomp whomp, whomp…What in the world?? Percy, our rescued cat, was sitting outside with me enjoying his morning ritual of watching the hummingbirds. “Percy, what in the world are you doing?” I ask looking around for him but noticing he’s no longer outside. My attention is suddenly drawn down to the yard as I immediately realize what I’m hearing.

Running full throttle back and forth, and around in circles is this most happy fawn. His mother is nibbling grass near-by as her child is happily running wind sprints across my yard. He’s running so hard that I can actually hear him breathing, rather heavily, as he swoops down below the deck. “The camera, where in the heck is the camera when I need it?!” I chide myself silently. Slowly I edge myself up out of the chair, ever so gently inching my way to the kitchen door to fetch the camera.

By the time I get the camera, turn it on in the house so as not to let them hear me, both mother and son have worked their way to the edge of the yard by the woods as noted by the above posted image.

The day before I had also found myself without my camera when I was out working in the garden. I was working my way down a row of okra, snipping the mature tender pods and trimming leaves when suddenly I look up only to see this same fawn standing no more than 20 feet from me.

He looked as if he’d just gotten up from his afternoon nap. It was around 3PM and the afternoon sun had warmed things up considerably as dripping sweat stung my eyes. I realized he hadn’t seen me as I was somewhat shrouded by the tall okra plants. If I could just edge my way over to the basket to fetch my phone, I’d be able to snap his picture. He looked full of energy as he hopped up and down like a miniature broncin’ buck. As I slowly slipped down the row to my basket, grabbing the phone, I raise up slowly setting up for the picture when suddenly I notice he’s disappeared into the tall grass on the other side of the fence by the back pasture—vanishing into no where.

I always worry about the new fawns as the coyotes have become prolific in our area. The two fawns from last year, which I wrote a post about a month ago, I can only hope they survived and will be back this fall to feed. If it’s not the coyotes, or the hunters, it’s the cars. I suppose mama deers have just as much to worry about over their children just as we human parents do….ode to parenthood I suppose.

It’s these little most delightful and truly magical glimpses into nature that I so greatly cherish. Be it the screeching hawk circling overhead as I work out in the yard, the annoying mocking bird momma who swoops down over my head as I wander too near to the bush that I know is home to her fledgeling, to the mysterious emergence of the tiger swallowtail from its cocoon…I always consider myself so fortunate being a part of this still often “wild” world of ours. These are the moments when I am happy living out as we do… away from subdivisions and neighborhoods.

On this new morning of a new week, I wish for you a glimpse into our ever shrinking “wild” world…be it the blur of the dashing and darting hummingbird to the sneaky little chameleon lizard slinking past the potted geraniums—it’s at these most precious moments when I’m reminded that I’m still just a small piece of this very large planet. Be happy and joyful, full of energy and just happy to be alive as this young fawn–enjoy the day—as we are not guaranteed tomorrow, make the most of today, as today is truly all we are sure of—
now where did I put my camera…………..