What a Weekend!

 Aah, OK, I can't find an image to depict how the last 2 days have unfolded, so we'll just have to go with text!

    Friday - well, Thursday night - started with me falling asleep during my 6.30pm Torah class, waking up at 3am - no idea how I got from the sofa to the bed - and couldn't go back to sleep for four hours. My head was also pounding, so I took some pain pills and begged HaShem to let me go back to sleep for just another cycle. He was merciful to me and I slept from seven to nine.

    I had to get up as my friend was coming to pick me up for a stroll on the boardwalk. Fortunately, the headache and nausea were both gone by the time she arrived.

    I rushed downstairs to help her unload my potting soil from her boot and then rushed back upstairs to lock up and go. As I started down my 17 wooden stairs, I saw her walking up. I backtracked and opened everything again and mentioned I hadn't prepared to have tea with her this morning as I thought we were going for a spin on the boardwalk. There was no tablecloth on the table, no flowers or teacups - nothing, just my diary. I quickly brought some items out and we sat and had the delicious quiches and butter biscuits she had brought with some Rooibos tea. We always have a lot to talk about and the two hours went by quickly as usual.

    My nighttime antics had robbed me of all energy. When I thought of all I still had to do to prep for Shabbat, my legs just went weak. But with God's help, I did start and managed to do most of the necessary tasks. Some things I just had to pack neatly and leave till after Shabbat, ie, some of the dishes. I also had to leave my seedlings and roses outside, hoping they would survive the cold night, and they did, praise God.

    When 7.15 came and I couldn't raise Juan-Dre on the phone, I did what I always do in such circumstances - I messaged his dad. He replied to me that he couldn't listen to my voice note right now because he was at the casualty department - his tummy felt like it was tearing apart inside.

    Because his wife is 21 weeks pregnant, I heard that it was SHE who had the tummy-tearing-apart-feeling. All sorts of horrific things went through my mind and I immediately prayed and contacted others to pray with me - for the mommy-to-be. Then I got a second message to say "It's not her, it's me!" 

    I hurriedly corrected my mistake and in my haste apparently made it sound like Juan-Dre's dad was pregnant! Oh vey! God answered our prayers. His life is not in any immediate danger, but it will be a journey. I am just very grateful that he is still with us.

    I woke up this beautiful Shabbat morning having a dream about a place I am not sure if I have ever dreamed about before. It was so lovely and peaceful. I ended up reading a book in a big white room that was like a princess's quarters. It left me with a feeling of quiet joy.

    It was very cold this morning. I prayed an early Shacharit with a friend and then joined our usual online service a bit later in the morning, after I had eaten. After greeting everyone in the online service, I put my camera off and went and got under the covers - it was that chilly.

    It warmed up for about two hours and then the chill came back. We prayed Mincha and re-read chapter one of Pirkei Avot in the afternoon. I dived back under the covers until Havdalah and then called my grandson, who had gone to visit his dad in hospital.

    Thank you to everyone who prayed with me for Juan-Dre's dad. It means so much to me. A peace from heaven settled on me after I had prayed along with all my friends, and I just knew that everything was going to be ok.

    As we start another week and another Torah portion, I want to wih you a week filled with God's Best Blessings. Know that you can always trust Him.