Some Things Remain a Mystery

/ Anthea Tripp

An unusual experience this morning left me speechless {you’re smiling I can tell!}. For someone who loves to write, being at a loss for words is humorous isn’t it? Yes, I’m chuckling at myself as well! Yet I’m compelled to write about this mysterious occurrence, if for no other reason than to transpose it from mind to paper. I’ll endeavor to convey what happened and you can draw your own conclusions!

Perhaps more amusing than my being “speechless” is my internal struggle for a logical explanation … one that makes sense. Those who follow my blog know that I am indeed a very spiritual person, “tuned in” to God, and a believer in the existence of many mysteries in the universe that aren’t easily explained, so that’s nothing new. I’ve actually had several inexplicable experiences in my life time but that’s for a different blog. So I’m very attuned to my spiritual nature. However, there’s another side to me. Continue reading →

The Far-Reaching Power of Handwritten Expressions

/ Anthea Tripp / 4 Comments

They lay there on my bedroom chair, unceremoniously wrapped up in plastic bags of various dimensions and origins, carefully packed and then unpacked from my suitcase and lovingly {albeit randomly} placed there on my return from England in early August. There they remained – in a pile – even after several weeks!

A cursory glance would reveal a heap that resembled a cluttered mess of meaningless “stuff”, but on deeper examination, one might catch a glimpse of an old jewelry box, a photograph, a lace handkerchief, a book of poetry, or a seemingly insignificant piece of tattered paper peeking out from behind its humble, crumpled container, along with a copy of Mum’s remembrance ceremony, revealing her smiling face. Continue reading →

Celebration of a Life Well Lived

/ Anthea Tripp / 1 Comment

This life we humans live is nothing short of astounding. Such a gift! In the small quiet hours before dawn, I marvel at it, and I’m so filled with wonder at this journey we call life. How can it be that four short days ago we were in England? In some ways it seems like a few minutes ago, yet in other ways it feels distant and almost as if it never happened, but vivid memories remind me that the time there was very real … as well as surreal, and now we’re home, fighting jet-lag and once again immersed in the daily “routine” of living. Somehow things are almost “back to normal” …. all is the same, yet everything is different.
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Roses of Devotion – a note to Dad

/ Anthea Tripp / 2 Comments

Dearest Dad,

Unbeknown to you, I captured this vision of you in the garden amongst the fragrant delicate, colors of the roses.

Roses of DevotionMy heart melted to see how you gazed so thoughtfully up at the beautiful blood red ones – the ones that were Mums favorites – and I immediately knew you were thinking of her. Forgive me for intruding in the moment. I’m happy you didn’t know I was there standing quietly, out of view. It was a special moment, a private one. Continue reading →

Surreal Sojourn ~ a note to Mum

/ Anthea Tripp / 6 Comments

Hello Mum!

I’ve been thinking of you today as I always do. How could I not? You are in my heart forever.

HighlandsToday I’m especially immersed in you. We’re planning for a great celebration of your life. We’ve chosen one of your favorite dresses – the one with the bright purple and pink splashes of flowers – the one that is so YOU! Your earthly body will look beautiful – a perfect extension of your sweet spirit which is alive and well in Heaven and also lives on here with us.

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Gentle Rain from Heaven

/ Anthea Tripp / 3 Comments

I so love the rain …. I feel rain. Of course sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy too, but there’s something ever so much more poignant about the rain. It inspires me to pour out words of soulful expression.

Today I awakened to the pitter-patter of raindrops gently tip-tapping at my bedroom window. Music to my ears and food for my soul.

I will especially enjoy my walk along to Mum’s bedside today. The river, its surrounding green pastures, and the stately trees along the route are adorned in their shimmering, flowing tear drops from above.

Heaven weeps Continue reading →

Swans by the River Stour at Sundown

/ Anthea Tripp / 4 Comments

Stour SwanYesterday was a particularly distressing day. Mum’s restful state changed rapidly to one of agitation and anxiousness. She was wide awake, her beseeching blue eyes darting back and forth almost child-like, asking questions constantly, in a frantic obsessive manner, rubbing her eyes, clutching at her face and clearly in a very disturbed state.

We tried everything we knew to calm her down and lull her back into serenity, stroking her forehead, playing music, softly reassuring her that all would be well, professing our love for her and reassuring her that she would be happy and whole forever. That we’d all be united again in eternity.

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God Pours Out His Favor

/ Anthea Tripp / 1 Comment

I have to confess that the last few days have been among the saddest, yet most joy-filled times I’ve ever experienced. Sad because my beautiful mother is fading away from life as we know it on this earth and I am heartbroken, yet I feel joy because her spirit is about to take flight and she will transition into the most glorious state ever – everlasting life with her Lord and Savior, where her body will be whole again and there will be no dementia. 

It was Sunday yesterday – a beautiful sunny day and if that wasn’t enough to raise our spirits, God favored us in a special way that makes my heart sing with joy and gratitude.

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So! How Was Your Flight Today?

/ Anthea Tripp / 1 Comment

So, how was your flight across the Atlantic today?  Er…….fine! Not too bad!  What? Come on Anthea, just tell it like it is.

Okaaaay! So let’s just leave it like this ….. it could have been worse.

That woman across the aisle from me? The one who reached rudely in front of me to bag a spot in the overhead above MY seat? Yes, that one!!  It could have been a whole lot worse had she not taken time to wash her underarms before leaving home. That furry pit jammed up my nose could have given reason for an elbow {mine} to involuntarily connect with her solar plexus.

Yes, things could have been worse.

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Dementia Daze: The Rambling Mind

/ Anthea Tripp / 2 Comments

“What have I to do?  Where have I to go?”

mum95yrs Simple questions from a sound mind. Ones we ask ourselves {inside our heads} as we go about daily life planning our day, directing our activities. In contrast, these same queries from a confused mind are complex and disturbing to hear … at least they are to me. These two little questions have haunted me for some time now. It’s not easy to shut out their echoes inside my head.

 

Have you read my other Dementia Daze posts?

If you have, you already have a feel for the intensity of these repetitive questions from my beautiful mother, persistently asking the same two questions a hundred times a day. Sometimes so softly spoken it’s barely audible, a mere whisper, at other times sorrowfully, or blurted out in loud frustration, at times even angrily demanding, but always with a pleading undertone, accompanied with an equally beseeching look in her eyes … piercing at times and always searching for an answer through those expressive icy-blue eyes.
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