Tag: blissful and blessed

Day 9 – Israel 2018

Today was a full day in Jerusalem.

We entered the Jaffa gate and visited the 14 stations of the cross over the course of the day. We went to the place where pontius Pilate put Jesus on trial. We visited the place where Jesus was flogged. We walked along via de la Rosa – through the Christian section, the Jewish section, and the Muslim section. We visited the area where Catholics believe Jesus was killed and buried. That site was pure chaos and I was glad we moved through that area as quickly as we could. It really upset me that people there are acting so unholy. Pushing and shoving and getting angry. So awful.

We saw all the different sites and several churches and the site of the pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed on the sabbath.

Our very long trek ended at the tomb of Jesus in the Christian tradition. It was very well organized for getting everyone through. They said about 3000 a day go into the tomb. Afterward we had communion together and it was lovely.

One thing I experienced was that when there are so many people in one place it is very hard to focus on the deeper emotions and experience the true meaning of everything.

Oh – and I should say here that I accomplished the mission to get my mom a shofar. I went for a rams horn approximately 14 inches long. Yonatan blew it for me so I can now say it’s authentic!

We have traveled this past week with the nicest people and our tour guide has been excellent. I highly recommend that everyone takes the time to explore the roots of our faith. I will never read the Bible in the same way. I am blessed to be a pilgrim of Israel.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭122:6-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

©Belindabotzong2018

Such is Life

Life – Family – Relationships

Changes

Theirs – Moving forward

His- Stagnant

Hers- Ending

Theirs – Exciting

Hers – Adventurous

His – Struggling

Hers – Suffering

A cycle of plans, dreams, hopes, hopelessness, loss, opportunity, future, past

Youth, newlyweds, bachelors, middle aged couple, elderly woman

Change

Changing jobs, changing locations, sticking it out, sticking together, changing

Loss

Loss of health, mobility, power, choices

Grief, loss, joyous celebrations

–

Time

Mundane days, restless nights

nights filled with passion

days filled with tears

moments filled with laughter

–

Cycles

One turns into the other

–

What’s next is set in motion

–

Decisions, disagreements, consensus, conflict, forgiveness, best wishes, farewells, condolences

Life

Hard, challenging, rich, beautiful

Death

Real, crushing, freeing, liberating

–

Victory

I Saw Myself

I saw myself today

30 years ago a newlywed

In that cabin across the river

Where I sat for hours watching the currents sweep over the boulders

Time spent with my lover in solitude and adventure with dreams of the future and contented pleasure.

I saw myself today

20 years ago a mom of two hilarious children

Camped out on the floor in that cabin across the river

A family on vacation, swimming hole, and fishing poles

A walk to the gingerbread factory, the hat shop and the toy store ending with a German pretzel and dinner at the Baren Haus.

I saw myself today

In the present

Reflected in a store window

Shopping and thinking and exploring

Years of child-raising replaced by caring for my elderly mom

Picking wildflowers and pine cones and creating new things in my head

A time of respite and renewal, observing the changes that have taken place and those things that never change.

I saw myself today

20 years from now

Walking hand in hand with the same man I always loved

Coming to a light pole in the sidewalk with hands temporarily parting

Quickly rejoined to explore that same town we always have, getting bratwurst, walking to Blackbird Island, and talking about the years gone by

I saw myself today

30 years in the future

My white hair askew as a caregiver pushes me, donned in a royal purple bathrobe in a wheelchair down the Main Street

Past the horse and buggy, past the shops and restaurants

A pile of flowers and ornamental grasses on my lap gleaned from the passing displays and gardens

A smile on my face in memory of days gone by.

©Belindabotzong2018

Seeking Serenity

Construction noise overrides the ripples of the river

Traffic sounds pulse over the chirping birds

I long for silent serenity

Not deafness to the world around me

Not solitude that separates me from loving Or creates insensitivity to the needs of others

But solace in the sitting and pondering and praying

Waiting for a peaceful surrender to serenity

As if I were the river with deep undercurrents of creative, passionate, and inspired ideas

As if I were the boulders in that river –strong, sturdy, solid — taking all the pressures and letting them roll right over me as I redirect their path

As if I were the pine tree planted beside that river with my feet steady, towering over the troubles that flow down that river, standing strong against the ever changing winds and enduring the storms that strengthen but don’t harden me

I find peace and serenity in the ever flowing, ever strong, and ever steady, continuous river, as it pours over boulders, surrounded by trees and mountains and I am compelled to praise their creator.

©Belindabotzong2018

Morning in Leavenworth

Bright face of sunshine rises above

Hues of pine, spruce, and fir against

Cerulean sky backdrop

Lazy, shallow, dark currents of river caress boulders and ripple over pebbles

Meandering toward the sea in no hurry to leave this place of rich beauty

Flocks of birds call out musical notes

Trills like flutes and squawks in deep baritone

Hawks swoop and soar like a maestro

Orchestrating another beautiful day in Leavenworth

©Belindabotzong2018

My evening

The kayak club cleared the beach with gusto heading out to dinner with friends, home, or even a vacation in Montana was announced with glee. He has a cabin in the sawtooth mountains where he plans to hike and relax for the last weeks of summer break.

The dinner cruise droned by after a tour of the nearby islands and disembarked its satisfied passengers at the nearby ferry terminal, heading home with that feeling one gets after inhaling an enormous amount of fresh sea air. Hair blown askew, stiffened by salty breezes, they make their way hand in hand to their Subaru, satisfied with their choice for such a grand outdoor experience.

A lone woman sits on a boulder at the quiet end of the beach. Her bike handlebars askew as she left it parked on the goose-poop covered lawn. Her forehead draws together in a frown at the intrusion of another woman taking a seat on a nearby bench. Solitude is clearly desired as she works through and ponders her troubles. The bench seated woman feels the discomfort of invading another’s space and moves on to a quiet spot to watch seagulls and sailboats and write about her view, snapping a few photos.

Jets fly overhead for their final approach to the nearby airport with those returning from trips around the country or around the world. They will disembark with that left over stale feeling one gets from flying too far for too long and they will breathe deeply the cool August day air and say “home sweet home”.

A helicopter flies quickly south, meaning another crisis in some family as a loved one is rushed to Seattle for advanced care and the patient will disembark on a journey through healing and recovery. Or not.

A train rumbles past filled with passengers all looking forward to either a return home or an exciting adventure beyond the routine of home. The incessant warning of the engineer announces their passing.

Multiple sailboats glide in the evening breeze like the seagulls that swoop and soar as the sun sets slowly beyond them. Some are racing while others take their time to embrace the freedom of being on the rippled sea, inhaling that same fresh air that will later lead to a deep restorative sleep.

The woman on the bench is now alone and there is a deep peaceful lull in the activity. Waves lap lazily onto the shore bringing her treasures to find. Sticks and stones, shells and glass. The beauty and artistry of nature in the perfection of an evening at the bay surrounded by the San Juan islands, the Salish Sea, the harbor, the beach and the sky.

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©Belindabotzong2018

Reflection Perfection

In a shadow

Sun set stretches her thin along a path

In a pond

Ripples reflect the skewed expression

In a mirror

Reveal the flaws hidden in her skin, her hair

In a window

Reality distorted peering back

In his eyes

Perfection

©Belindabotzong2018

Layers

Multi layered,

Multi faceted

Unseen layers

Private thoughts

Personal goals

Hopes and dreams

—

Hidden layers

Hurt and loss

Grief and memories

Love and hate and passions subdued

—

Intricate layers

Ideas and inspirations

Fears and triumphs

Aspirations and ideals

—

Outer layer

Designed and scarred

Unique and beautiful

Ingrained with the fingerprint of God the creator

Infusion of experiences and life

Inner strength and grace

Outer beauty, calm and peaceful

Protecting the inner layers like an armor

Allowing beauty and love and compassion to flow out