You will have noticed it’s been nearly a month since I last blogged. We are in the middle of a renovation project and the house is in a bit of an upheaval. My sweet husband is doing some of the reno himself and he always amazes me by how handy he really is when it comes to DIY projects. I will help with some of the painting, but I’m completely useless when it comes to anything else. I can’t hit a nail in straight for the life of me, and I can’t use a measuring tape with any kind of real accuracy. My contribution will be small, but my gratitude will be huge when the renos are all done!

I’m coming up to the four year anniversary of my being cancer free. I still have some lingering side effects after my battle with endometrial (uterine) cancer four years ago, but for the most part, I am doing well and grateful to God for every day of life! My daughter had challenged me to look for opportunities to “thrive” after this go-round with cancer, just like I did after breast cancer in 2001. Back then I started a new job, wrote my first book, and went to seminary to get my Master of Religious Education degree. This time, it’s been a bit more challenging to “thrive” while fighting long Covid this past year, but I renewed by teaching certificate and have taught a few writing classes to some wonderful students in Grades 5-9. I’m volunteering with my church and looking for more opportunities to serve. I don’t have the energy I had 22 years ago, but hopefully I can keep up the pace, even when at times I feel it’s a bit of a snail’s pace.

I didn’t stay up to see the Coronation of King Charles “live”, but caught the repeat broadcast later in the day on Saturday. Such pomp and ceremony, it was fascinating to watch! It’s impossible to not get caught up in all the pageantry. I am not a Royalist per se, but Canada’s history is linked for better or worse with Britain’s monarchy, and I would be saddened if Canada ever loosed its ties to England’s throne. That said, I was quite impressed by the service itself, and the fact that it was definitely geared towards bringing honour and glory to the Lord God,… at least that was the intent. I particularly took note of the fact that King Charles swore allegiance to Jesus first, and that King Charles was anointed with oil, in a part of the service that the public could not view. He also took communion. I just pray that, like his mother before him, he will be bold in declaring his faith to the world. I would be very disappointed if all the oaths he swore before God and man on May 6th were just empty and meaningless.

Time will tell.