Cottonwool Clouds

 

Our sky looks a bit like this now, except there's no space between the clouds, and they're tinged with pink and purple as the winter sun is about to set. So beautiful. Makes me feel like The Father has wrapped me in cotton wool to comfort me.

    Winter has more-or-less arrived. The mornings and nights are colder - for which I have been longing. I enjoy these few months of being able to lounge around in my PJs until mid-morning, now that I no longer have to rush off to work outside the home. 

    The days are a few hours shorter too. I'm looking forward to when my grandson comes for the holidays and we can stay under our respective duvets and chat till we feel warm enough to get out of bed and have breakfast.

    My iced-water has now been replaced by coffee, tea or cocoa. My skin is also telling me it needs extra hydration. My dad's skin - may his memory be a blessing - always cracked very badly in winter, and I think I got those genes. What a wonderful thing to have such a visible part of my dad in my own DNA.

    Time is flying, as is apt for the times we're living in. Tomorrow night is already Rosh Chodesh Sivan, followed by Shavuot a few days later. The counting of the Omer always rushes by. Soon, my cute little counter will go back into the cupboard for another year.

I am grateful to HaShem for so many things. Sometimes life can become overwhelming, and it is all too easy to succumb to sadness. Even though I am well aware that allowing myself to descend into such emotion is nothing but passive pride, these last 7 or 8 days have been difficult. Through my tears I have been telling myself out loud to "Stop it, Penny!" 

    In the end, HaShem is my Stronghold, my Support, my Refuge and Safe Tower, and I need to exercise bitachon and keep my eyes on Him and Him alone. 

    Yesterday on my walk, I was startled by something moving on the grass in front of me. At first I thought it might be a snake. But suddenly, two tiny little birds with wagging tails came out of the grass and proceeded to parade their beautiful little bodies across my path. I teared up as HaShem reminded me that He will always look after me.

    I will be counting Day 44 of the Omer soon, then having the daily Zoom call with my grandson, who I miss very much, then a friend and I will be doing some reading together. A slow, cosy winter's evening. Thank you HaShem.

    If I don't see you before tomorrow night, let me wish you a blessed

Rosh Chodesh Sivan!