Monday, December 27, 2010

Thankful

I am still home in Michigan.

The insomnia has continued to the point that

this morning

I made breakfast and then went back to bed.

Got up again later, ate and soon went back to bed.

What I did not remember is that when I got up in the morning

I had put the kettle on for tea.

A kettle I have never gotten used to,

that would not snap shut like mine

and today I made a significant mistake.

I forgot I put it on all together.

The part that closes over the spout must not of closed properly

and I never heard it boil; my sister and brother-in-law

never heard it either.

*

My Dad found it -

thank God for His protection -

the was burner still on (!)

the water (it had been a full kettle)

boiled out,

the porcelain on the kettle actually burnt on

to the oven burner.

This is a mistake I never wanted to make;

not only was it a fire hazard...

*

Not my most shining moment.

So why tell you about it?

*

Because it impressed me again in what I have seen

in my Father.

*

I went to make lunch, thought tea would be nice

and instantly remembered that I was making tea

at 8 this morning

looked over, and there was no kettle, just the burner ring

and crumb tray.

*

I immediately put on my jacket, scarf, shoes

and went to my Dad's shop.

(My Dad is a professional painter of houses and

paints the doors, cupboards, and such things

in his shop which is near by to the house.)

*

I told him I realized what happened and asked about it.

Not a hint of reproach.

No condemnation.

Yes, the kettle is now in the trash.

The burner has porcelain seared on to it that my Dad

has tried to remove.

I of course confessed to the deed and I am sure

he knew I did it anyway.

When I said I could buy a new one,

he said

"Just worry about getting a job."

*

Whenever I have read about St. Silouan's father

and how gentle he was

how slow to reproach

and how quiet in it all,

It has always made me think of my Dad.

*

When I see this in my Dad once again

I am so thankful.

I did nothing to deserve such kindness.

(The jeweled Christmas tree was
my Great-Grandma's.)

We have had our extended family Christmas time;

My immediate family are not exchanging gifts

until my birthday,

this Wednesday.

We will celebrate my sister Rebecca's birthday as well,

especially as it was a significant birthday for her

she is now 30.

I am thankful to be able to be home.
The insomnia should subside by the end of the week,
as I am almost done taking the medicine
that is causing it.
*
I am hoping that I can regain strength
and courage
that I will need for returning to Ottawa and job searching.
*
Meanwhile, I need to live in the present and rest.
Enjoy seeing my family.
Eating my Mother's food;
and taking time to rest from all that has gone before.

13 comments:

margaret said...

Ohhhh Elizabeth, I am so glad that didn't happen when you were alone. Once I left a pan of fat on the stove (without the excuse of excessive tiredness) and it went on fire and ruined the side of the fridge and made a huge black patch on the ceiling - I thought my Dad would be furious but he was only glad I hadn't hurt myself putting it out. Fathers are wonderful things :) and you and I have been so blessed in ours.

The jewelled Christmas tree is a wonderful idea - now I know what to do with some old jewellery and jewellery supplies I will never use again. I'll post a pic when I've done it.

*hugs* to you.

elizabeth said...

Thanks Margaret! Yes, we are so blesssed in our Fathers. What gifts we have been given.

I would love to see the jeweled Chrismas tree you have been inspired to make! We've had ours for years; I remember my Mom letting it be in my room as a girl once... love to you!

Janelle thegeekywife said...

ironically the CAPTCHA word is "jewal".

continued prayers, Elizabeth!

Janelle thegeekywife said...

forgot to say Happy Birthday to you and Rebecca! was too distracted thinking about jewels!

Michelle M. said...

What a wonderful father you have! I wish I could be as patient as he.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday and fun celebrating with your sister on hers.

Matushka Anna said...

That's a good lesson for me to be more patient with my children. Thank you.

mamajuliana said...

You are truly blessed to have such a father!

Have a happy birthday! Many years to both you and your sister!

Enjoy your family-

GretchenJoanna said...

One time I put the pressure cooker on to cook -- I don't remember if there was anything at all in it, but there wasn't any water. The heavy aluminum of the pot melted to the electric burner! It did ruin the (expensive) pot, but not the burner...
So many similar foolish and potentially dangerous things I have done, that God has protected everyone from... Glory to Him forever!

MamaBirdEmma said...

Your father sounds like a wonderful man! I am so glad that you are home and getting the respite you need!

DebD said...

What a lovely gift of a father you have. Such a blessing.

Love the blue and white windmills. I have something similar, only it is a tin in which I keep my teas. It reminds me of my Opa.

elizabeth said...

GW - glad you liked the jeweled tree! :)

Michelle and MamaJuliana - yes, I am very blessed. Thanks for the good wishes!

Mat Anna - good lesson for me too!

GJ - thanks for sharing your story. Makes me feel better :) Glory to God for protecting us!!


Thanks Mat Emily - yes, such a blessing that I can be home!

Deb - nice that you have the tin! My Mom has been collecting Delft blue China for years... she has a lot of beautiful peices, not just Delft but other things as well... much of it from her Mother, my Oma...

Athanasia said...

Yay for your Dad. You are most blessed to have a father who turns away wrath with a gentle word. I am happy for you. Give him an extra hug from me.

As for the burned out tea kettle, I've done that so many times I've lost count. I had to take a razor blade to my electric glass stove top to remove the burned stuff from putting a pot on the stove to heat without anything in it and walking away!

Happy Birthday and many years!

Martha said...

That jeweled tree is lovely...are they brooches?
So glad to hear that all is okay...the kettle is replaceable. I've done the same thing, actually.
Enjoy the time there with your sweet family!