Dear Diary

 

Dear Diary,

Today was a chilly yet thrilling day, filled with little adventures that made my heart swell with excitement and gratitude. This morning, as the cold air nipped at my cheeks, I found myself wrapped in the warmth of anticipation. Sister Mary Claire and I had plans to venture beyond our usual boundaries, borrowing Tom's old Ford pickup truck for a special trip to Urbandale, near the Living History Farm. I couldn't help but marvel at how Sister Mary Claire skillfully maneuvered the truck with its four on the floor gear shift, a skill our dad passed down to her. It's moments like these that remind me how much I look up to her.

Our mission was twofold: grocery shopping for Tom and Judy, and fetching a part for Tom's adorable Ford tractor. I've always admired Tom's dedication to keeping everything in pristine tip top condition, a trait he surely honed during his days as a world-renowned architect. His stories of travels and precision planning never cease to amaze me, painting vivid pictures of far-off lands and grand designs in my mind.

Our journey took us through the heart of Urbandale, where the highlight of our trip awaited us - Maid Rite sandwiches at the MaRite Cafe. Oh, Diary, if only I could capture the essence of those delicious sandwiches in words! Maid Right, a name that resonates with the history and pride of Iowa, did not disappoint. And, as a special treat, Sister and I indulged in the café's famous hot fudge sundae before heading back to the farm. It was a moment of pure bliss, a sweet pause in our busy day.

Upon our return, Mini, our ever-joyful companion, greeted us with her stub of a tail wagging, her eyes sparkling with the simple joy of seeing us. Sister had  a little dish of hamburger prepared by Barista Ginger the ever ready waitress from the MaRite Cafe. As we gathered around the table, our little family united, we recited the prayer before meal from our treasured Inner Court prayer book. 

"The eyes of all hope in Thee, O Lord, and Thou givest their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and fillest every living thing with blessing. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Amen." 

It was a moment of profound gratitude, not just for the food, but for the love and companionship that surrounds me.

As the day winds down, I find myself reflecting on the prayer from the morning, 

"Lord, to Thee have I fled. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God." 

It's a reminder of the guidance and protection that envelopes my life, even in the simplest of days. This prayer, from a book found in a covered wagon and published in London in 1924, adds an air of mystery and connection to a world beyond my own, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the ties that bind us across time and distance.

Today was a day of simple joys, of warmth amidst the cold, and of lessons in love and gratitude. Thank you, Diary, for holding these precious memories.

With a heart full of warmth, 

Kathy