Who Closed the Door?

Along my journey many doors have closed, in fact some doors without warning, have closed so quickly and closely (even in mid step) they indeed injured my nose (which, in hindsight I might say, should not have been in the direct path). No matter the circumstance, I have faced closed doors; the feeling of loss and regret over that final click; the struggle to pull myself away and look to the door that has opened a tiny crack just around the corner.

Thick gray fog now surrounds my memory of a series of closed doors in my life, the first of which is the door to the end of my long time marriage to someone I originally thought would be my life-time partner, followed by the doors that ended a few trials at new relationships. As each door slammed shut, I looked long and hard at the 'whys and wherefores' surrounding what, at the time I labeled failures; seeming unable to live through the experiences as a pathway to my present very happy circumstance and wonderful partner. I could have saved myself much grief and heartache had I concentrated less on the closed doors and looked forward to the runway leading to the wide open doorway of the great grand ballroom of happiness and discovery. I recall beating myself up trying to determine what I had done so terribly wrong to cause such unhappy circumstance. I examined every turn, relived every silly mistake and generally spent long hours concentrating on the closed doors in the thinking mode of 'what if'. It was indeed a learning experience; much better to have known that along the way though, than to learn it afterwards and thats for sure!

I have often looked long and regretfully upon closed doors; I seem negligent in reminding myself that there is, or soon will be another door open for me. How about you.........any closed doors you need to move or turn from? The quicker you do the sooner you will enjoy what is waiting for you as the next door opens.

Remember the words of Alexander Graham Bell:

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."

(WWU Writing Prompt - October 16, 2010)

Ajo Keeps Calling

George was off to Ajo, Arizona again April 9th (back on April 14).....seems he can't get the estate finalized and the place keeps calling.
He arrived safely; uneventful flight; picked up his rental car; drove to Ajo; checked into his room; discovered there was no phone in his room & the desk had closed behind him; tried to message me & found no service; drove back to Gila Bend (almost an hour) to call me; back to his room for the night..........by the time he got back to his room it would have been WELL past midnight.......rather like a horror story, but not unlike what I might expect from this little town in Arizona. The motel he reserved assured him they would have free WiFi but on this night there was no WiFi at all (free or otherwise). I'm sorry for the attitude but I didn't particularly like Ajo on the two occasions I was there previously with George.............George's experience this trip hasn't improved my opinion about the place. I feel sorry that he had to make this trip alone but I couldn't take more days off at this time.
Evenutally WiFi was available and the motel made their phone available to him so at least we talked on the phone and could chat on BBM which helped the situation.
Hopefully this will be the last time he will have to make this trip to Ajo & he will be able to finalize things at last. The handling of this estate has been rather a nightmare for him; first lawyer had a nervous breakdown & quit; second lawyer was somewhat greedy & wanted money money money; the real estate person looking after the rental of the property had some issues and disappeared; there were other issues as well but that pretty much sums up and describes the way the whole ordeal has unfolded for him. It's very difficult to take care of these kind of things when you are so far removed.......at least when you are dealing with less than 'straight' individuals.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our little MOCHA !
She is 11 years old today!

Sad News

It was on the anniversary of Carla's passing.........we received the sad news that Gordon Carr had passed away suddenly at his home in Entwistle, Alberta. Gordon will be sadly missed and remembered by his very large family.
I remember his cheery smile, his always helping hand, the happiness he enjoyed when doing things with their grandchildren (Christmas, Easter Egg Hunts), his sense of humour, his understanding, his support. When home in October last year, I joined Gordon & Sherran for lunch (with Vi and Ruth). It is quite difficult to believe that 5 short months later he is gone.
My thoughts are with his family and I hope their support of each other will carry them through this difficult time to brighter days ahead. Gordon is resting now and I hope that peace and understanding wraps his family close.
I wrote this poem for his family and to honor Gordon and his life.

The Kind He Gave to You
(for Gordon, in fond remembrance)
(February 06, 1942 to March 29, 2012)

Ours may not be to question why
though we always do
asking reasons for all things
answers forever escaping our grasp
As this day dawned a decision stood
without your support
You questioned once more
answers still just out of reach
He took his final breath
laid all the memories at your feet
The pain of losing him sits heavy deep inside
as time eternal sails the wind
He was Father Son and Brother
Uncle Grandpa Mate and Friend
He bounced you on his knee
smiled at you when you were down
His helping hand was oft extended
sometimes even when he’d need it more
His arms protected and assured you
so you’d feel safe and not alone
He supported all those grand endeavors
cheered your victories, braced you in defeat
He loved you, he was there

Hold his memory close now, sheltered in your heart
Remember him with special love
the kind he gave to you

He’ll be with you, in every tiny raindrop
as it glistens on the ground he tended
He’ll be with you, in the morning sunshine
as it nudges you to meet the day
He’ll be the moon-smile looking down on you
its sparkle, its frosty twinkle
He’ll be with you, when you lay down at night
when you waken to the birds outside your window

As he watches over you, now from another place
remember him with special love
the kind he gave to you

Home James

Tuesday; up to (what has become) our morning routine.......breakfast etc. then finished up the last minute packing, sat out on the balcony and watched the ocean, enjoyed the sun. Soon it was time to wander on downstairs to check out. We waited for our ride to the airport, hopped on board and were off to catch our flight.
Our experience at the airport in Los Cabos was to say the least, different.
They were boarding two planes simultaneously, ours and another.........so they paraded us all outside, to line both sides of the walkway to the tarmac.......there we waited for forty five plus minutes to walk out and get on our plane. What that was all about I have no idea (no one was telling us) and I have never experienced anything like that before. It was hot standing out there waiting and it seemed quite senseless to be waiting out along the walkway when we could have been inside sitting. Oh well.........we eventually got on our plane and headed home.
We got home very late; I had to work the following day; George picked up Mocha (who was very happy we were home) and life got back to the regular routine pretty quickly.
What a wonderful vacation!............(March 13, 2012)

The Day Before

Monday........the day before we go home........a relax day........our last day and even though it's always nice to get home, we are feeling kind of sad that we have to leave. It has been a wonderful holiday & we have so enjoyed ourselves; hope to come back here soon.
We spent the whole day by the pool (or dipping in the pool from time to time); had a few drinks; had our dinner by the pool. From our place by the pool we could hear (and see) the ocean and the waves washing up on the beach. It was a great day; sad to see it come to a close.
We spent the evening watching the sunset from our balcony (every night a beautiful sunset), more relaxing, played a few games, read, packed up our things, then off to bed...(March 12, 2012)

Sunset Dinner Cruise

Sunday; a relax day until late afternoon; by the pool soaking up some sun; listening to the ocean.
In the afternoon we hopped the shuttle again, headed for the marina to find the 'Cabo Escape' boat for our 'Sunset Dinner Cruise'.
Once again the booze flowed freely, the food was good and the sunset was gorgeous with lots of opportunity for photos. The weather was beautiful; we had a most enjoyable evening.
A couple of patrons got out of hand (a bit too much to drink) but they were very quietly and quickly 'taken care of'...........I say 'taken care of' because we witnessed their performances then in the blink of an eye they had disappeared. I sincerely hope they weren't thrown overboard but they did need to be taken out of circulation with some time to sober up. Other than that the cruise was a happy partying group.
The countdown to heading home........two more days. We are wishing we had at least another week.........(March 11, 2012)