The monthly prayer gathering for May was held, today, in the afternoon, at a friend's house. We were invited to lunch, afterwards, and I spent a nice afternoon visiting with family members and friends who attended the prayer gathering.
Cousin P called me in the morning to find out what time I was planning to go to the prayer gathering (I was giving her a ride). Her call woke me up, as I was sleeping in (I had set my alarm to ring at 10:00 a.m., since I didn't go to sleep until about 2:30 a.m.). I told her I planned to leave about 1:00 p.m., because friend F, who was hosting the gathering, had said to come around 1:30 p.m. Cousin P said 1:00 p.m. would be fine with her (I figured she was going to church, but she usually comes back from church around noon).
Then, I got up, had my coffee, replied to my blog comments, read and commented on a few other blogs, chatted with my neighbor T and with my daughter. It was another grey, dull morning. Both neighbor T and I agreed that we didn't like this weather!
Later, I swept the bathroom, took a shower, got dressed, etc. At about 12:50 p.m., I called P and left a message, saying I was in the back garden, picking curry leaves and lemons to take to F, in case P called and wondered why I didn't answer the phone. I spent 10 minutes or so, picking the curry leaves and lemons (I picked a big bagful of lemons, but, probably should have picked more, because, just about everyone else at the prayer gathering asked F if they could have some of the lemons, too, so I don't know how much she was left with for her own use!). Then, I came inside and called P, again. There was no answer, so I left a message, saying it was 1:00 p.m. and I was ready to leave.
At 1:15 p.m. I called again. Still no answer. This time, I didn't leave a message. But I called her daughter on her cell phone and she answered. I said I was trying to contact her mother and she said they were on their way home! P came on the line to say they were just pulling up to their house and could I give her another 20 minutes? Apparently, she and her daughter went shopping after church because her daughter wanted to buy some new make up and they got late! She did say that if I was in a hurry, I could go ahead, but I didn't want to do that. So, I waited until P came over. I did text F to say I was waiting for P and will be there as soon as I can.
P did apologize to F when we arrived at the prayer gathering and said it was all her fault that we were late. But, F said it was quite alright, because, in any case, they were waiting for my cousin V's husband, who was coming after work! Sometimes, it seems that everyone else is operating on a more relaxed time schedule (we call it Sri Lankan time), and I am an idiot for trying to keep to a set time!
The prayer gathering, itself, went well. There were 11 of us gathered - 10 Catholics and one Buddhist (me). As I've mentioned before, I don't recite the rosary with them, but listen to the inspirational passages that are read before the prayers are said and then reflect on things while they recite the rosary. I attend these gatherings mostly for the fellowship and social aspects.
Afterwards, F served a nice lunch of stringhoppers (a type of rice noodles) and roti (coconut flat bread) with various curries, followed by flan and fruits for dessert, and tea and coffee. We spent a nice afternoon chatting, and then, left around 5:00 p.m. F gave me some cuttings of succulents from her garden; I will plant them, tomorrow.
On the way back, I asked P if she minded if I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up my medication, otherwise, I could pick it up tomorrow, and she said she didn't mind. So, I picked up my new inhaler and then, came home, a little before 6:30 p.m. After I came home, I did a load of laundry and hung it up to dry. Plenty more I should have done, but I think they can all wait until tomorrow, after my doctor's appointment.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to attend the monthly prayer gathering
- Seeing family and friends at the prayer gathering
- Being able to give curry leaves and lemons from my garden to my friends and family
- Cuttings of succulents from my friend's garden
- A safe drive to the prayer gathering and back
How was your Sunday? Did you have a good weekend?
I know what you mean about the time thing. I'm usually on time but my husband's family is usually late. After all these years, you'd think it wouldn't bother me, but it still does.
ReplyDeleteI know my family is very casual where time is concerned. The running joke is, if you want the family to be there at a certain time, tell them the event starts an hour earlier than it does! Otherwise, it is "it'll start whenever everyone gets there!" LOL!
DeleteGlad the prayer gathering went well. You have a lot of patience! It's so nice of you to help out others by giving them rides.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon. I try to be helpful, but, sometimes, it is not easy.
DeleteAh, Sri Lankan time! I get so frustrated when people are not punctual. :( One of my biggest pet peeves is chronically late people.
ReplyDeleteI know. When people invite me to various gatherings, I try to be on time and very often, I am among the first to arrive, if not the first, and the hostess is not ready! LOL!
DeleteHow nice to get together with a group of family in prayer, and then spend time visiting and enjoying food!
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be free of the black flies and mosquitoes at the moment so we still manage to eat on the deck. I think the cold nights are helping, yet we still get really warm afternoons. We had a lot of rain the other day and the greenery just sprang up all over the yard. I found one of my favourite wild spring flowers in bloom - Trailing Arbutus. It has a sweet scent, but grows so close to the ground that unless you pick it, you must go down on your hands and knees and lower your nose to it!
It was nice, Bushlady, after I got over my initial irritation that cousin got late! I wouldn't have minded it so much if she had phoned to let me know that she was running late. That is what I would have done. I usually try to be ready early, if someone was giving me a ride, as I wouldn't have wanted to inconvenience them in any way, but, had I been running late, I would have called. Common courtesy, in my opinion. But, as I've been told before, I shouldn't expect the same degree of consideration from my family because they just don't think that way. :)
DeleteI am glad you are able to have your meals outside, without being bothered by the flies and mosquitoes! Probably still too cold for them. I hadn't heard of Trailing Arbutus, before, so had to look it up. Looks like a very pretty little flower!
It sounds wonderful to spend time and a meal with relatives at least once a month. No wonder you look forward to them. And although the day was late afterwards, you still managed to pick up your prescription and get a load of laundry washed and hung. I also hung some laundry yesterday (but forgot to bring it in last night.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy the social aspects of the monthly prayer gatherings. It is very unlikely that I will see some of the participants as frequently, otherwise, because everyone seems to be so busy, even if there are several who are retired! Yes, I did manage to get a few things done and that was good, too. :)
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