Pretty Roses



These are my pretty roses which I got this year during the Rotary fundraiser.  Roses are romantic, and just scream, "I LOVE YOU!!!"  These ones are called "Freedom," which seemed fitting since I brought them home to hubby.  Well, I guess it's just an excuse to have roses in the house, because I always get them every year.  For the price, they are a great deal!  It's a two for one - help out the fundraiser - and get to enjoy some beautiful roses!  The smell is just wonderful too!

The name Freedom seemed appropriate since my hubby has a motorcycle with the word Freedom on it!  The idea of wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth kind of freedom!~ he always hates it when I say that.  However, he finds it his refuge from the world, whether he goes on a rip-roar around town or to a destination. 

Once again this year, we will be participating in the Bikers Reunion's "Freedom Ride!"  This is the local fundraiser where many bikers come from all over Canada, and the United States, and last year, one as far as Germany came, to get together over the July long weekend, and raise money for cancer.  It's been ongoing for several years now.  The event just keeps getting better and better, and larger, and larger!  That is great news for our area, because all the money raised goes directly to support cancer patients and the the cancer program in our local area.

Being a participant in the Freedom Ride will bring tears to your eyes, and warm your heart!!  It's so wonderful to see all the people come out to wave to the bikers, and the people holding up signs that they are a cancer-survivor, or thanking the bikers for their support toward cancer.  It's touches me every time too!  There are signs all over the towns along the bike ride route, where families and friends of have purchased signs to honour their lost loved ones.

Here is the website:  http://www.bikersreunion.ca/.  You can see for yourself what fun the whole weekend will be.  I can't ensure that there will be roses, but you can purchase a care package to give to a cancer patient at the local hospital.

Come out and join us!



A Friend In Need

Just got home from my friend's place!  She called several hours ago, upset, crying, and all she could say is "I think I'm going to be sick!"  She's a single lady, living on her own, so I rushed right over to find out what was really going on.  As soon as I arrived, I started grilling her to get the full story.  Did you have anything to eat?  What did you eat?  What are your symptoms?  Have you taken any medication?  Do you need to go to the hospital?  Once I established that she didn't need the doctor just yet, we started to drill down into her symptoms.  Stomach issues, migraine headache, eye pressure, stress, and the works!  It was time for me, her friend, to jump into action!

She's been dealing with a lot lately.  Just found out her dad has cancer, and the whole family has been adjusting to the news!  However, he is fighting hard to win, and there are good days and bad days.  The bad days are hard on the whole family.  My friend is very close to her Dad!  This has been devastating news, and I think she just gets overwhelmed and can't stop to relax.

The mind is a funny thing!  It controls the whole body, and stress will work up on a person, and not let them get into the relaxed state of mind.  She had been dealing with these bouts on and off since Sunday.  So we medicated for the headache, and I got her some water to hydrate her.  I got her to lay down and try to rest.  She was able to talk out some of her concerns, just having someone there to listen and give a different perspective on the situation makes a big difference.  So, we hung out and she started to feel better.  When I took my leave, she was feeling much better than the state I found her when I arrived.  She even laughed a few times.

I think it's important to be a good friend when a friend is need.  I definitely don't have the answers to medical  or psychology questions, but I care enough to be there.  If I can help out in some way, I am willing to give that much and more if needed.  Thankfully, my husband put the leftover food from supper away for me.  My scrapbooking project was left on the table (the same table that finally got a corner cleaned off).  The computer and printer was left on in my mad rush to get over to my friend's place.  None of that mattered on the way over - only making sure my friend was ok.  Gladly, she is doing better now!

Count our blessings, large and small.  When we are alone, it's nice to have someone to reach out to help in our time of need.  Whether it be a quick phone call, or a visit to check on a friend in need - it is those life relationships in which we find our rewards.  At least, that's the way it for me.


S