The World of Grandpa Don  

As I sit down to write this on an almost gone Wednesday morning, I am infused with that feeling of contentment which I have learned to love. The days have been wonderful and there are little after effects of my recent surgical procedure other than a "weak stream" and I was told to expect that until the internal wound heals. I have been devoting extended periods of time to the patio and garden just because it feels good. My mind wanders from subject to subject and I freely allow it to do so. Sometimes I am far in the past, remembering earlier years and imagining years earlier than that. At times I am enjoying the present, as this morning when the air movement was so gentle that it was necessary to look for movement in the leaves and ... yes, there it was, I could, with a little concentration, feel it, The flowers around the trees have grown into glory in their varied hues, some bold and others giving balance and contrast in their delicacy. Of the three Astors planted last fall, one survived and after a tenuous start, has apparently establish a vigorous root system supporting a spurt of growth in foliage and now giving evidences of a multitude of buds, a promise of glory to be.

I took a break for lunch, after which Bob and Marie reported that the parish website had been updated. In my preparation of the newsletter announcement, I reviewed the Pastor's Sharings, as I usually do, and found there a mantra he retrieved with from a summer seminar and  which fits my present feelings perfectly.

Too blest to be stressed.
Too anointed to be disappointed.
Too overjoyed to be annoyed

I found a place on my Welcome page as a permanent reminder of those words, nay more than just words, that choice of life's attitude in my life. It is what I want in my world. This thought made my day and it couldn't get any better than that, or so I thought. Then Dan called with an invitation to dinner. He arrived with Kelsey's latest school photo. The full size photo at the left is great. But you can click on the thumbnail at the right to get a better view of a smile that turns a great day into a glorious day. Wow! ... THAT is a smile! Kelsey really looks too blest to be stressed!

Dan and I went to Rocco's Little Italy. I had not been there in many months. I was greeted literally with open arms, the recipient of joyous hugs from Pat, the receptionist, Rocco's mother-in-law, as well as Rocco himself. Caught up in their enthusiastic greeting, I planted a kiss on his cheek. Our waitress was just as happy to see us. Dan ordered stuffed peppers as an appetizer, which were great. While he dinned on a fish special, I enjoyed an old favorite,  Capellini with meat sauce and sausage. With generous portions of the stuffed peppers and my entree wrapped to go, and as we sat and enjoyed the occasion, the check having been paid, Rocco delivered the special desert for the day, a berry and bread pudding, topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce. (I love that man) It was scrumptious! Yes, I will be back more often Rocco ... I don't care what my doctor tells me. It just can't get any better than this ... can it? Yes it can, for we are told that "eye has not seen nor the mind imagined what await us in the Kingdom of God". So, as much as I loved this day, I will try not to get caught up in the likes of it. There IS more and better to come and THAT is the goal. In the mean time I take wonderful days like this a a veiled promise of heaven.