Distance Doesn't Mean Distant
As snow falls on this spring day, and the whole world is held in suspension, it seems like a good time to connect with friends. In fact, it seems like many friends have been sending out green shoots like little antennae, seeing what signals they can pick up! So I’ll send out a signal: We’re here, with you, and all is well.
To bring you up to date, first a look at Christmas in Vancouver with the Fosters.
Before the morning gift opening, all neat and tidy
Les Boyz
Miles and Avril
Will (He got a heating pad!!)
Franklin (my late brother's grandson) now a year old
Mom Erica-May and Franklin
Dad - Hallis (my nephew) in the doorway
Grandson Will and Granne
The Christmas Dinner Table (with grandparents Sandy and Wendy Foster, Shelley and Rob Young (Darcy's sister) and assorted relatives
Anne and nephew Devin Blaney
Next a drive down to Vancouver via the Fraser Canyon, which was a sentimental and grounding journey. How many of us took that route for years!
Back into our home in winter wonderland, we watched as unbelievable amounts of snow fell, and used the time to read, study, explore, connect, and commune.
For me, daily walks to the lake area have been a source of exercise, watching the weather’s creations, watching dog Drifter’s enjoyment of the changing beach scenes and encounters with other dogs, and greeting other dog walkers as we faithfully greet the elements, fair and stormy.
Washed up ice foam. It's solid!
Fragmented Ice washed up onto shore
But such descriptions do not give a comprehensive, deeper look at what really happens in our lives, or begin to connect with what’s also happening in your lives.
Our internal lives contain many thought routes and meditations and likely the sharing of this inner life and work with others, thanks to texts, emails, blogs, Facebook, Zoom, Skype, YouTube, Streaming, Netflix, Amazon, phone calls, snail mail, photography, musical drop boxes, and telepathy. We are certainly not an inactive generation.
As an example, over the last months, we have had plans to fly to Atlanta Georgia where we were to spend time with friends in spiritual considerations, which were sidelined by you know what. We have also been planning, with Korean colleagues (JaehYoung and Dukhee), a Council which was reaching out to spiritual leaders world wide, to take place in South Korea in May. That has been now sidelined for us (it will now be a virtual event). by you know what. The fascinating aspect of such adjustments, which you may be experiencing as well, is that those forms which had to be released, have birthed new forms of connection over the air waves and by deeper heart connection that defy the usual technological means. Communication persists, like water finding its way, getting more nuanced but intensely effective. Such communication is not unfamiliar, we just don’t normally attempt to talk about it! But it’s happening!!! And the pressure springs new rivlets and pathways between people.
Here are some of the folks that people our virtual world
JaeHyoung and DukHee and a Korean friend
John LeBaron
Laura Fisher
Larry and Joyce Krantz
Pamela and John Gray
Larry, John, Joyce and Pamela (together in Arizona)
Alan and Jean Hammond
Jack and Brenda Jenkins in their kitchen
Yujin Pak
JaeHyoung Lee
DukHee Kang
Chris Jorgenson
Don Hynes
Genoa and Graem Castell
Suzanne Core
And many more, not to mention family members!
Anyway back to our wonderful day to day life, always present.
We've had visitors. Jack and Brenda and cello Opus came from the 108, and we enjoyed meals and music and lots of conversation.
Ron Skene also dropped in for a visit with his friend with whom he had been cross country skiing throughout the region. Angela went to Hawaii...Here's a older photo of Ron and Avril.
LaCasa
Full Moonrise over Vernon
Mara Lake
One likeable outcome of the corona virus, is that the virus encouraged Avril’s and Darcy’s families to abscond to their newly built “cabin” on Ruth Lake, near 100 Mile House. Four adults and four young boys have re-invented their lives, with home schooling, communal cooking, explorations of the surrounding woods (the lake is still frozen!!), with the adults’ city jobs continuing at a distance. Reluctantly, they had the internet installed for the season of working from home. It has been an off line environment until now. And there’s studying from home. The boys are using online resources and Avril completed her university course on line as well.
This photo is self explanatory!
As is this one
David's daughter Jjanet with partner Aiden and son Ren are also spending time at home, having a rejuvenating creative home stay. Their day starts out with yoga in their yoga room, lots of good vegan exploration in the kitchen, and tons of love.
