And you thought my adventure was over when I returned home from Italy! 

(Previous post – Grapes, Gratitude & Grace 11/22/19)

Well, the adventure continued…

Five days after returning home, I flew to California to help with my mother’s convalescence due to her leg injury.  

My original plan was to stay for two weeks.

Instead, I was there for the entire month of October.

It was quickly evident that my mom was going to need extra care on numerous levels to manage her daily life, which I was very happy to provide.  Mom needed time to heal and progress to a state of being able to do “normal stuff” herself.  

As the days unfolded, it also became very clear the Universe, God or Spirit, (whatever terminology you might use) had a hand insuring I spent this time in Sonoma County with my mom.  For a little background, normally I would have traveling with friends during October. That trip was already rescheduled to another time. Other projects that would have typically required my time and attention at home, were rearranged due to other factors. I was able to clear my calendar to be there for a month.

And, clearly, I was meant to be there.

Over the course of October there was a series of events that occurred which made it evident, I was there for more than just supporting Mom’s recovery process.  So at the risk of sounding like a daytime serial, here’s a list of how things unfolded:  

1st Week 

My step-dad passes following a long term decline of his health 

2nd Week

Power outages from PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) begin

The company’s plan to prevent wildfires due to dry, windy conditions. 

Mom meets with physical therapist beginning therapy 

Decision to have celebration of life for step-dad after holidays 

3rd Week

Wildfires begin 

More power outages – over a million people affected all over Northern California

Businesses and schools close

Internet service is no longer available  where we are

Smoke Pollution from the wildfires makes it hazardous to go outside

4th Week

Wildfires expand scope – up 75,000 acres

Power Outages continue 

Evacuations begin – over 190.000 people evacuated from homes and businesses

We were on daily alert for possible evacuation – had things packed up and ready to go

Significant “wind event” of 70-100 mph winds in the area over the weekend 

Obviously, in the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” and did it ever!

But as my blog title states, Be of Good Cheer, Finding Clarity & Gifts; throughout this period, I really tried to focus on what was clearly important.  Once again,, there was the evidence of gratitude and grace behind the circumstances swirling around me.  

I was able to be of good cheer as I tuned into what were really important “gifts” during this time.  

What were they?

The gift of time with my mom.  Maybe the conditions weren’t always ideal, but the opportunity to spend an extended period of time with my “little ‘ole eighty plus” mom to laugh, discuss, share, gain wisdom, watch Jeopardy and yes, even endure (for me) several Hallmark movies was something to treasure.

The gift of comfort and being able to provide my step-dad  loving words of care, appreciation and gratitude for his presence in our lives as he took his final breath. To be there for my mom as she kissed him good-bye and continue to provide her emotional support after his passing. What an honor.

The gift of safety during a stressful situation as my mom had the incredible foresight and means to put in solar panels and a generator.   We were able to compensate for the power outages with this backup system. It was an amazing blessing.  

The gift of community as there was support, concern and care at the personal level through hospice, physical therapists, the mortuary staff, medical staff and neighbors.  

The gift of public service communication and being able to prepare in case of an evacuation.  We had time to have everything ready and be able to leave at a moment’s notice.

The gift of not having to evacuate…even though it came very close and was very much a “roller coaster” regarding the situation with the high winds and potential wildfires.

The gift of relationships with expressions of care, encouragement, concern and love from all corners of our lives. 

Finally (at least for this blog) the gift of beauty, I was able to spend a month in Sonoma county…need I say more?

My remarkable month in Sonoma gave me the opportunity to clearly find gifts in a multitude of ways.  It gave me clarity as to what is important on a daily basis, and find things to cheer. 

Be of Good Cheer 

The important gifts of the holiday season often can be obscured in a grinchy way by the 

“The ribbons! The wrappings! The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!”  Dr. Suess

I invite you (despite any swirling challenges and circumstances) to look for the important gifts in your life and raise the spirit of your holiday season.   

They are clearly there and offered.

In wonder and possibility,

Barbara

12/16/19