Want to go on a trip? Part Two

Someone has actually asked me to go on a trip. But, I’m a little hesitant…

You see, I don’t know where we’re going. The person explained that the whole idea of this journey is surprise – in other words, I’ll know where we are when we get there; I’ll know what we’re going to do when we’re doing it.

In my earlier post, I talked about traveling with someone who you really want to be with, someone you enjoyed spending time with even if you were just sitting quietly together, someone who you trusted with your deepest, darkest secrets. So, I guess that’s what this journey boils down to – do I trust this person enough to just go?

I’ve known this person practically my whole life; you could say we grew up together, although there is an age difference. My friend knows all about me, the good, the bad, the ugly and everything that I want to forget. As a matter of fact, my friend has a lot of experience with people and hasn’t led anyone astray.

So, why don’t I trust? I love this person. I want to spend more time together. I would love to go on a mystery trip.

What’s holding me back? It’s not the money. It’s not responsibilities. My husband thinks it’s a wonderful idea. Hmm, maybe there is one thing. I would have no control. All control would be in the hands of my friend.

And, there’s the snag. Am I willing to relinquish control to a trusted friend, to someone who loves me no matter what, to an ally who always has my best interests at heart, to a companion who has never led me astray? Seems kind of silly when I lay it out like that, doesn’t it!

Actually, there is someone who invites all of us on a journey – a journey planned specially for each of us, tailored to our individual personalities. It’s a journey planned for us before we were born, by the person who formed us, our Creator.

A pre-planned journey. An itinerary tailored especially for you. A trusted Guide and Friend who knows what is best for you. A Companion who loves surprising those He loves with gifts of beauty and joy and more.

I’ve decided. I’m going to continue on this exciting and amazing trip!

Let’s journey together.

© 2011 Denise Budd Rumble

But, would it work?

Folks less hardy than we might have fainted at the foolhardiness of it. But not us! We were up for the challenge. With just a few days to spare we made sure we had all we needed. It was going to be close. It was going to be difficult. It was going to need cooperation from all involved. We knew we could pull it off.

But, would it work?

After lots of fun and conversation at the restaurant the tension began to build. Amidst hugs and laughter and “I’ll see you there!” we wondered if we would. Would we see everyone there?

Cars parked. Food and such retrieved. Stairs climbed. In pairs and groups they rode the elevator.

As I left the elevator and entered the hall I could hear voices. Happy voices. Lots of happy voices. And yet, I could see no one, nothing. Nothing except one lone shoe. An important job for a lone shoe – keeping the door ajar so that no welcome soul would be locked out. Furtively I pushed open the door and ventured the three feet into the living room/dining room/kitchen area of my mum’s retirement residence suite. I smiled widely.

What I saw was cause for relief and celebration. We had done it. We pulled it off. And, more than that we had accomplished a daring feat quietly, on the sly. She didn’t have a clue.

Mum was chatting and laughing – happy that, once again, she could have the entire family in her “home”.

And, my sister and I were happy, too. We had been able to gather everyone together for fun, food and games at Grandma’s – just like we used to when Mum had a large family home to house us all.

And, miracles of miracles – we all fit!! Well, as long as we didn’t all breathe out at the same time and kept our elbows in.

Let’s journey together.

©2009 Denise Budd Rumble

Moving mother and memories…

Over two years ago my mum moved from her house of over 4o years to an apartment complex. It was a difficult transition, not only for my mum, but for me and my siblings. We sorted and organized and cleaned and sorted and threw out and sorted and kept and tossed and… You get the idea. It was long and it was painful.

This fall my mum decided that it was time to leave her two-bedroom apartment and move to a one-bedroom suite in a retirement residence. Once again we sorted and organized and tossed and kept and…

“What’s this?” I asked my sister. “Didn’t we throw this out the last time?”

I held up a thin, worn blanket. A blanket that once wrapped precious items bought in England and given in love. A blanket that kept those things safe from breaking as we traveled the ocean to all the promise and adventure of our new chosen home, Canada.

Karen looked over from the box she was opening. “I’m sure we did,” she answered. “Oh my goodness! Come here, Denise.”

There in the box was a pile of material we had found in the attic of the house. It had not survived being stored in the attic very well and the decision had been made to throw it out. But, here it was again. Obviously Mum had reversed the decision and washed and kept the material. Mum had made most of our clothes and, as many of her generation, hesitated to throw anything away. We found bits and pieces of various shapes and sizes.

“That’s from my Grade 8 graduation dress!”

“Mum made that dress for me the summer I met my future husband.”

“Do you remember this dress of Mum’s? She wore it to death.”

I held up a jar.  “And what are we going to do with these? Do you think Mum will do any more sewing?”

To others it was a jar of buttons. To our mum it was a jar full of memories – a little white button off one of her baby’s knitted jackets, knitted by her mum – a fancy gold button from a smart navy blazer – a button from a favourite dress long gone – and many more.

Tears filled our eyes as we looked around. These were not just our mum’s memories, but ours as well. Blankets, buttons, books, tablecloths, fabric, furniture and more – each filled pages and chapters of our lives.

Let’s journey together.

© 2009 Denise Budd Rumble

Conversations…with my mother, this year

“Ready to go Mum?”

“Yep.”

“Here, let me help you zip up your coat.”

“No, just leave it. I’ll be fine.”

“But look outside. It’s snowing. It’s freezing out.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll be cold. Let me zip up your coat.”

“I’m fine! Leave it!”

“Have you got a scarf?”

“I don’t need one.”

“What about that one you got last Christmas?”

“I’m fine.”

“Here’s your boots…”

”I’ve got my shoes on and they’ll do.”

“But, Mum, there’s at least three inches of snow on the ground!”

“They’ll do!”

“I’m glad you’ve got your gloves on, at least. Ok, I’ll just get my stuff on and we’ll head out.’

Worn out, frustrated and angry I head out with my mother. She shuffles down the hallway of the apartment. No dancing here, not with our bodies or our minds. No singing either. Just silence. This doesn’t feel right. It’s not fun. I don’t like it.

Let’s journey together.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble

Another Change

I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since I posted my last blog!

Since Labour Day weekend I have been madly running off in all directions as I transition to a new position.

About twelve years ago I launched my own bookkeeping business. It was just in my own name but I always thought of it as “Best Bookkeeping”, after all I was the owner and bookkeeper! I was thrilled when I got my first client and happily posted debits and credits, invoices and payments. New clients came along. My little business boomed and thrived.

But the day comes when it is time to make a change. I need variety in my life. And, although change is usually difficult, even when it’s good change, it was time for me to make a change. And so, I have been closing up my bookkeeping shop – trying to help my clients accept the change and encourage them to look happily for the next person who will take good care of their business’ financial information.

Change – it’s what I live in the midst of. Everyday. The Change – capital “C”. Not to mention all the changes bouncing off my life in every direction. From this major career change to changes in family to changes of season and changes in relationships and … I could go on, but you get the idea. I expect many of you are also drifting on the sea of change.

So, I do apologize for taking so long between posts. One great thing about my new position is that I’ll be working from home! That means I should be able to post more often, as long as you don’t tell my boss…

Let’s journey together.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble