Happy 21st Birthday, James

Birthday Reflections (Oct. 11, 1992 - 2013) "Like a football flying through the air" is how the medical intern described your birth as he caught you. Your quick entry announced to the world "I'm here!" You were a beautiful baby with sparkling blue eyes and soft whisps of blonde hair. Everyone "oohed and ahhed" and you flashed your charming smile. As an infant you were full of energy. You loved bouncing in your jolly jumper. Afternoon naps were uncommon. Sometimes it took you longer to fall asleep at night because you had so much energy. Toddlerhood brought one speed: FAST! You ran everywhere with unusual agililty, balance, and confidence. As soon as you could climb onto a bike you wanted your training wheels off. You weren't afraid to take risks even if it meant getting hurt. During your school years, you excelled at sports especially basketball and lacross. You were quick and athletic. You always looked good in your "blue shoes." As you continued to grow, other abilities emerged like music, fishing, woodworking, cooking, and working with developmentally challenged kids. Animals were always a passion of yours including fish (Taylor & Miriam), rabbits (taming them), and of course, dogs (dog walking Petey & all the others). Together with Patrick, you were the creative duo, building ramps for skateboards, bikes, and snowboards. Team Hannigan conquered neighbourhood lawncare and snowstorms. Hotwheel racing in the living room was another one of your creative endeavours with race tracks taped to wingback chairs and couches. Throughout the years you've always been kind and caring. You are a "people person" with a love for everyone from children to seniors. You've always been hospitable---eager to have friends over for sleepovers or meals. You've been and continue to be helpful around the house, handy and hardworking. You appreciate and value our unique family. There is room in your heart for everyone. Your thoughtfulness is evident as you ask about pop and gram. Most of all you are loving, generous, and compassionate. You drove mom to radiation treatment in Hamilton. You've helped dad in many ways, too. As you continue into young adulthood, we are proud of all you are doing--- challenging yourself with new studies and balancing your time with work, friends, and relaxation. We are so happy that Meghan is in your life. She is beautiful on the inside and outside! Her smile and laughter brightens the room she enters. Tyson is also a great addition to our family. When we see Tyson "bouncing" it reminds us of your early days in the jolly jumper. His energy is a good match for yours! A boxer --what a perfect choice. We love you, James. We celebrate who you are and the amazing person you've become! Happy Birthday and may you continue to find the path in life God has for you. Love, your family

New beginnings

July 27 marked a new beginning for my friend Fiona Apperson and Jean Cote. Rob and I had the honour of creating planters that graced the property at Lake Huron where they were married.

I also had the honour of creating this prayer which I shared during their ceremony:

Fiona and Jean,
It is such an honour to share this day of celebration with you. There is no doubt you are meant for each other. As unique individuals, you bring out the best in each other.

We offer you this prayer of love and these words of blessing:
Divine Creator, in mystery and awe
you formed us in our mother's womb.
Your love has surrounded Jean and Fiona as they have each paddled their way through life. You have shown yourself to be a peaceful presence in quiet, calm rivers
and faithful in challenging, rough waters.

You have blessed them with daughters and a son and now with the gift of a fresh start together.
As their future unfolds, may the first spark that ignited their romance be kindled by daily acts of kindness.
May the flames of their relationship dance with joy to brighten the pathway of others.
May the mystery of their partnership remain strong so that nothing will ever draw them apart. Amen.

May green be the grass you walk on.
May blue be the skies above you.
May pure be the joys that surround you.
May true be the hearts that love you and may the hand of your friends and family always be near.

Welcoming Puppy

Today begins a new journey for our son, James. He has decided to become the proud parent of a very sweet boxer puppy. We know puppy will bring much joy and love into James' life and to everyone who crosses his pathway.

We wish you well, James and look forward to welcoming puppy into our lives as well. Puppy is a lucky boy to have such a wonderful friend as you.

xox Your family

P.S. It looks as though puppy will be called "Tyson."

A Shout Out

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
"Teacher, order your disciples to stop."

He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent,
the stones would shout out." -Luke 19:36-40 (NRSV)

Making Maple Syrup

Our journey with making maple syrup began last fall. During the summer with the help of an arborist we took down a large diseased willow tree in our backyard. Our young, energetic grandsons joined us as we split and piled the wood from the old willow tree.

We were fortunate to have an evaporator and wood stove given to us. With some creativity and ingenuity, Rob made some adaptations on both. In January we put up a covermax in our back yard for our "sugar shack"... we were ready to go.

Finally the day came to tap trees. On Family Day February 18, we tapped about 90 trees. Tapping involves boring holes in the trunks of sugar maple trees and inserting spiles. We tapped trees at Rob's parents' bush, my parents' cottage at Lake Erie and around our house. 

Maple trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter. The starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in the spring. 

We waited for the sap to begin to run. Warm days and cold nights are required. Sure enough the sap began to run. We gathered many, many litres of sap....about 150 for our first run.



The next stage in the process is boiling down. The sap is processed by heating it in the evaporator on the wood stove. This takes hours and requires attentive care. The wood stove needs to be refilled with wood every hour or so. Much of the water is evaporated, leaving the concentrated syrup. It requires about 30 to 50 litres of sap to make 1 litre of syrup. We "finish" it in the house on our kitchen stove bringing the syrup to 219 degrees. The last step is putting it through a cloth to remove any sediments and bottling it.



We were very excited when we finally produced our first litre of syrup. It tasted so good. We gave some to our neighbours who curiously watch our maple syrup adventures and antics. They remind us "you can buy syrup just down the road at White Meadows!"

Oh well, we are having lots of fun.  If we weren't making maple syrup what else would we be doing?

Holy Darkness

　

Winter.

Quiet stillness.

Holy darkness.

Empty, barren branches surrender to change.

　

Winter.
A season of patient waiting.

Hidden seeds deep within earth's womb.

Safely rest in Her comforting and nurturing arms.

　

Winter.

Share with us your virtues of stillness and waiting in darkness.

Hold us in the womb of your warm embrace.

Protect the seeds that are sleeping within us

awaiting mysterious transformation.-sm

Letting Go

Letting go.
Changing work. Moving homes.

Letting go.
Embracing new friends and family.

Letting go.
Accepting unexpected health realities.

Letting go.
Discovering dormant abilities and passions.

Letting go.
Sharing time and resources with others.

Letting go.
Blessing young adult children on their journeys.

Letting go.
Releasing loved ones into God's care.

Letting go.
Widening beliefs and faith.

Letting go.
Getting out of old, comfortable ruts.
Choosing new paths of unseen realities.

Letting go.
Moving on.
Making room for something new...

a more loving heart,
trusting spirit,
peaceful soul.-sm