Went to a garden party

 So, if you go on a trip at the same time for 2 years in a row is that a tradition?  Last year, I drove up to Saskatoon for the weekend to celebrate Elsie's 90th. This year I came up for her 91st. It is about a 16 hour drive and the combination of the drive and the time in Saskatoon is the highlight of my summer. 

Yes, I could easily fly up in 2 hours but there is something unique about being on your own, in your car and driving for 10 hours a day with a stopover. I love the scenery, I listen to an audio book, I sing at the top of my lungs and I just drive. On the way home this year I drove straight through. I left  at 7:15 Saskatoon time and parked my car at home at 11PM, or midnight Saskatoon time.  I did not get tired, a bit sore around my neck and my bum...but no big deal! I immersed myself in a story about Vietnam. 

 I am getting off subject. 

I start in the mountains and end in the prairies. I love the prairies because I live in view of mountains. Elsie, Elfrieda and Elviera love the mountains because their view is prairies. 

Again, I digress. 

"I went to a garden party to reminisce  with my old friends

A chance to share old memories and play our songs again. When we got to the garden party they all knew my name, no one recognized me ..I didn't look the same."

One has to be of a certain age to recognize that song and I did live this song out this weekend. 

A dear friend of the sisters has a yearly garden party to play her instrument, read scriptures while her friends enjoy the hard labor she has put into her garden. This year she is a widow and this year all the hard work was a solo endeavor. It was mostly a garden of friendship, cultivated for years supporting her in her grief. It was so beautiful to behold this generation of friendship makers and cultivators. The next day, at the birthday party I came up for, another garden of friends cultivated and cherished, cross-culturally and cross generationally.

These sisters grow amazing gardens from which they share with their community and grow amazing communities which  they share with me. The people they love in turn love me and our families. 

I sit with them and reminisce, sharing old memories. I have known these ladies my whole life.  Elfrieda became my Dad's wife after my Mom died. This woman escorted both my Mom and Dad into the presence of God. Her and her sisters have prayed, loved and supported us every single day. 

They live together in their home in Saskatoon, loving each other, loving their community and loving us.  

This weekend I went to a garden Party.