The view out the living room window is the reason we bought the house. There is a winding road edged by large poplars and fir trees that leads out to the access avenue. Beyond all this is a view of the city, sitting in the lap of the surrounding hills and way beyond that a glimpse of snow covered mountains.

Winter or summer the view delights the eye.

But like life, there are always things that spoil what was perfect.

I had a conversation recently with my cousin who attends an evangelical church in town. We often talk about our religious beliefs. I love her dearly and we share easily what is happening in our churches.

Finally, we couldn’t stand it any longer and we rapped on the door.

“Could we please pick some of your apricots?” we begged. “They are falling off the trees and we can’t stand seeing them go to waste.”

My sister phoned me the other day. She is 10 years older than I am and although we are both seniors, to her, I am her “baby sister.”