Broken Plates

Last year at this time, we were sorting and packing in preparation for the big move from Kamloops to Moose Jaw. I snapped a photo of these broken Fiesta dishes that I had been hanging on to, thinking I might use them to make a mosaic of some sort one day. I decided it was unlikely I’d ever get around to doing anything with them, so tossed the broken plates.

I thought about those broken plates this week in terms of something I’ve been chewing on about the size of the personal—and individual—plates we are gifted with. I’ve been overwhelmed for the past couple of weeks and beating myself up for feeling that way. I had a conversation with God one morning and was reminded that we are all uniquely created with a set of talents and gifts and, yes, plates of differing sizes.

The same thing (or things) that fit nicely on the side of one person’s plate might overflow that of another who walks through life with a plate of a different size. In other words, our capacity to cope with all manner of things depends a good deal on the size of the plate we’re using and it’s pointless to lament my sense of overwhelm when it’s a result of overflowing the perimeter of my plate.

This week, my plate broke; I hit meltdown mode more than once.

Wisdom—and, I believe, my Creator—tells me it’s time to step back and take a break. It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada: a perfect time to do just that. Gerry and I have never done anything grand to celebrate the holiday (Thanksgiving is far less of a big deal in Canada than it is in the U.S.), but we’re looking forward to enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with dear friends and their family. Apart from that, I intend to let to and embrace ordinary, simple happy, moments. That’s where the magic lives. Then, when I’m rested and feeling stronger, I’ll embrace the Japanese practice of kintsugi and repair my broken plate with golden grace.

This week, meltdowns aside, there were things that were gifts that I’m grateful for. Enough for a Friday’s Fave Five post.

I had an opportunity to sit down for coffee with a woman and her husband I met face-to-face for the first time. She is a fellow InScribe member and lives about an hour and three quarters south of Moose Jaw. We talked about writing and all manner of other things and I made a new friend. What’s not to love about that?

Speaking of friends, my bestie from Kamloops came to visit. Oh, how I miss our regular afternoon coffee visits and what a joy it was to spend time with her. She’s a Saskatchewan girl too, and rumour has it that one day, when it’s meant to be, she’ll return to this beautiful province and we can spend more time together once again.

It rained this week. Not a lot, but enough to give us a couple of gray, wet, blustery days that are perfect for hunkering down at home with a book and a mug of tea. (Confession: I did not do that and that’s a problem.)

Did I mention I melted down more than once this week? The gift of a husband willing to do his very best to offer a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and little to no advice, is priceless.

Molly is out of quarantine! With all her puppy shots completed and the requisite waiting period passed, we’re free to take her out to public places. This afternoon, we took her for a short walk in the Wakamow Valley and let her sniff and explore at the end of a long leash. Training will come, but this afternoon was all about exploring. Next week: puppy class starts.

All in all, it’s been a good week. Difficult, in some ways, but rich in many others. Once again, I’m reminded of wisdom offered by Frederick Buechner regarding the grace of God. “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and family.