More Sunny Weather and Blooming Flowers

 By Nate Feldman

During problematic times in one life, regardless of what may be causing them or what may be happening to a person, it is difficult to remember some of the positive things going on.  One thing I do to help myself is to make a list of good things that are happening around me or that I am experiencing.  If you are able to think of at least three good things that are happening to you, and if you think clearly enough you know these such things exist, then this is what you should be focusing on and trying to build upon. 

Here are some positive things that have happened  during the past week: 

The Outdoors

Sunday was another warm, spring-like day with mostly sunny skies.  Many people were walking, running, and biking on the Struble Trail in Downingtown, PA.  With the nice weather, the Brandywine Creek was sparkling brightly.

The Cherry Blossoms and Forsythia bushes appear to be in peak bloom in the area.  I have taken some nice photos of the flowers in the area.  

I took Kipper, my Golden Retriever, to Teegarden Park, and he played excitedly with other dogs there while I had small conversations with their owners.  

Giving to the Community 

The Kimberton Whole Foods Market in Downingtown, PA rounds up your purchase to donate to the Downingtown Library.

Peace and Dialogue 

The Interfaith Philadelphia organization will be holding a series of events for children grades K-5 on Sundays in April where they can learn about different people's religious traditions.  

Family

I discovered some pictures of my daughters Sara and Sofia when they were very young.  It's very heartwarming to see these photos after all of this time.  

Sara and Sofia are away for the next couple of weeks in Clarence, NY, where their mother and step-dad live, but I have been able to speak with them throughout the week and have had good conversations.  

Personal 

I heard from two Japanese former students of mine, Yuki and Miki.  It was nice to re-connect with them after a while.  Yuki mentioned wanting to come back here, and I talked about coming to visit him and other former students in Japan.

I have begun corresponding with Joackim from Uganda.  We met on the Penpal World website and have been exchanging photos and videos from our country as well as having discussions about our lives. 

I went to a meetup event for a new group called the Ardmore Area Book Club.  I met a lot of new people and we chose a book, The Last Animal, to read for our next meeting.  Afterwards, we went to a local cafe and talked with one another. 

Forsythia flowers and Cherry blossoms just about at peak bloom in PA

Sara (top) and Sofia (bottom)