Last Thursday Tim and I hopped onto a plane for a couple of short flights to Spokane, Washington. We thought it was hot on our island, however, the 103 degree (39 Celsius) heat slammed like a wall when we arrived.
Early morning is the best time for a walk. Our friends live on the edge of a natural park. It's a spare landscape at first sight - dry scrub, pine trees, brown foliage with little color.
It was an amazing weekend. The event was a reunion of people who had worked in the little jungle town of Shell Mera during the 50s through the present. Pilots, doctors, teachers, maintenance technicians, nurses, administrators came from all over the USA and Canada. Five people traveled from Australia and one from Ecuador. 80 of us all together. It was a little taste of heaven visiting with friends I never thought I'd see on earth again.
As we shared stories, laughter and a few tears, I was reminded again that beauty is everywhere. From the dry desert comes delicate structures like those above and in the dry times of life comes character and grace.
Linking with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Judith of Lavender Cottage Gardening.
Hi Lorrie, what a wonderful reunion. You were only about 100 miles from us . . . this weather is murder, but it is letting up just a little and that is much appreciated. You should have visited when we had our 112 degree day, LOL.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have a reunion like that. I would love to do this with a group I worked with years ago. I think about them and wonder what's become of them. Enjoy your day! I mentioned you in my post today! Sweet hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a taste of heaven. What a special treat for you. Did it have anything to do with a memorial for EE?
ReplyDeleteBeauty is everywhere, once your eyes are opened. It certainly was there...what is that amazing pinky-red flower?
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy, Lorrie.
the beauty is everywhere.
ReplyDeleteyes, nearly.
when sun and rain are in plein weight.
and people are not poor.
Herzlich Pippa
What a wonderful idea, such a reunion.So great to meet old friends again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special time catching up with old friends.
ReplyDeleteI identify more with the 103F - and that is hot!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have this reunion and from so many countries, I'll bet there were many tears of joy.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Lorrie.
What a special time! Very poignant with Elisabeth just passing.
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Insightful observation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a privilege to have such a reunion!
It had to be a tender blessing to see these dear ones again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reunion. How great that so many of you could come together. I'm curious as to whether the reunion was in Spokane or close by. Our son lives 46 miles north of Spokane so you experienced the weather we did for his wedding.
ReplyDeleteLovely to get a chance to visit like that. I lived in Seattle for a few years in the 1980s and the difference between the two sides of the state always amazed me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous and interesting reunion! I bet it would have been even hotter if y'all had met in Ecuador - well, hot and humid. So wonderful that you had the opportunity for that reunion. Interesting to me also is that there are always some people with whom you can pick up right where you left off years ago.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are beautiful, Lorrie. Beauty is indeed everywhere if you stop and look.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
What a special time for you and your husband, beautiful photos, Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteLike that feathered plant in the last photo. Exquisite. What a special weekend for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic time for you, it's great to meet up with acquaintances from the past. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteHow rewarding to visit with people from your past, Lorrie! The mosaic of the desert is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteFirst, love your header.
ReplyDeleteThen, how wonderful to have such a wonderful gathering of friends. Lovely!
What a beautiful spot!
ReplyDeleteYes even in the "dry" parts of summer we find beauty. - We're about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Spokane and even hotter here. It was great you had a nice visit with friends.
ReplyDeleteOh it does look so dry there too Lorrie! No wonder we've got all these forest fires around us. It's nice to hear you had a wonderful time and enjoyed your visit!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful time at this reunion of old friends! Over 100 degree temperatures would be a bit hard to take though.
ReplyDeleteYou got a tiny feel of the heat we endure here for months on end. Two days this past week we topped at around 54 C. During the summer, our nighttime temperature is often 103 F. There's never much relief. So cool that so many people gathered for the reunion. Sounds like it was a wonderful weekend. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDelete