And so last Sunday, the rain stopped (except a real constant mist) and we went down to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (a quick ride on a Sunday with more inexpensive parking) – and wow we saw the Stanley Cup!!! It was a great museum – packed with everything – a bit cramped in how much stuff but I would say that they were not lacking in amazing stuff – including the Stanley Cup itself – and the original bowl (cup) and the bands from the teams… Plus so much more…

The Stanley Cup…  A Cup of Winning and Hope…

Lord Stanley’s Cup…

My lunch with my youngest was also a treat on this mini-vacation, because this was the day that he said he would spend a good part of with me – and it was a very nice restaurant – with fresh pulled mozzarella… After lunch, he then got me a hotel vending station-sourced ice cream and that filled my cup –  because I was just then thinking of the day and the weekend and the “productivity” question that I always have of myself – and then when the ice cream came – it was not just a sweet treat – but it was an acknowledgment that I did indeed come to spend at least some time with him – and just be present – and that driving companion…  

A Cup of Love…

Then – when he went back to the convention and to see his friends, I took the opportunity to go back to that farm village – the Black Creek Pioneer Village – where they have brought buildings from all over this area of Canada and placed them so wonderfully together. It was a free weekend for the visitors and MUCH better than yesterday’s rainy weather so fairly busy – especially with kids loving the mud puddles.

I enjoyed the displays and teacher/reanactors – but especially I enjoyed the peace – the refill of my cup of peace… squish squish squish went my shoes into the setting – and the cup of hot cocoa hit the spot as I sipped it while absorbing the scene. I loved the printer’s office – and the fragrant lilacs – and the root cellar – and the secluded section of this busy busy sprawl of a continuous city/suburb…  One could see the tops of the sports stadium over the back of the farm – but the farm framed my view so wonderfully… I am not a romanticist of the farm life or old life – I like clean running water and modern plumbing too much – but I do love to reminise of my childhood days – and I love to see the preservation so that others can learn. Honestly, nearly all of the groups touring around seemed to be of the mosaic of Canadian peoples (remembering that America is a melting pot – but Canada is a mosaic of it’s many many country origins of people) – and that those people all need to learn about what their history is = as well as learn to count blessings. I found that there is so much peace in the plain pleasures of the past…

A cup of PEACE…

At the printers office – there was a reproduction of a newspaper and I honed in on a prayer: “Trust in God, and Persevere” – here are the words printed – (A CUP OVERFLOWTH WITH JOY) 

“Trust in God, and Persevere”

“Brother, is life’s morning clouded? Has the sunlight ceased to shine – is the earth’s in darkness shrouded ? Cheer up, brother, let thy vision Look above: see, see light is near. Soon will come the next transition “Trust in God, and persevere.”…

“Brother, has life’s — receded, hast thou sought its joys in vain? Friends proved false when mostly needed, Foes rejoicing at thy pain? Cheer up brother, there’s a blessing Waiting for thee – never fear; Foes forgiving, sins confessing, “Trust in God, and persevere”…

“Brother, all things round are calling With united voice, “be strong!”. Though the wrongs of earth be falling They must lose their strength ere long. Yes, my brother, though life’s throuble Drive thee near to dark despair, Soon ‘t will banish like a bubble, “Trust in God, and persevere.”

“He from His high throne in Heaven, Watches every step you take, He will see each fetter riven (?) which your foes in anger make. Cheer up brother, He has power to dry up every tear and through darkest tempests lower, “Trust in God, and persevere.” … 

“Brother, there’s a quiet slumber waiting for thee in the grave; Brother there’s a glorious number, Christ in mercy deigns to save. Wait thou ’til life’s quiet even, closes round thee, bright and clear. And till called from earth to heaven, Trust in God, and persevere.”

AMEN