Grateful

I'm writing along with 5 minute Friday and the Gypsy Mama this morning.  Visit www.thegypsymama.com or click the link to join the fun.
Here go my 5 minutes on "Grateful"

I'm grateful for:-

fresh starts
crunching gravel underfoot
laughter
lazy afternoons filled with a dad teaching son how to fish
hugs for a teary friend
church family, when blood family is on distant shores
stir up the gift God gives us
grief that is raw and lament for a different looking motherhood
tears unseen
sea, earth and sky on outings with my children
firsts - day of kindergarten
text messages of scripture received at moments in need
honest moments
kisses goodbye
8 year old son saying "you have a point there, mum"
hairdressing "therapy"
reminder of own suffering being miniscule in comparison to many
a million sparkles on the water
hugs from friends
red wine
wisdom and smiles of friends
rainbows
orange and copper leaves
ecclesiastes 7 - don't look back!
weekend approaching

Far From Home

It's raining out this morning and I'm gazing out in to the rain and my as my eyes travel, my heart and my mind also travel.  The distant shores of home seem very distant today.  I long to sit at the kitchen tables of home.  The hours of shared conversation and an outpouring of love, over the outpouring of tea.  There is something so comforting about that wan knowing smile of a friend when a problem shared, really does become a problem halved.  And a chocolate biscuit is all the sweeter when hand delivered by that friend with a chuckle... who needs diets?!  The chocolate biscuit reigns supreme at tea and talk time!  So I look through the rain as the steam from the cup cradled in my hands curls around me and I hope those friends are enjoying the hug of a comfy chair and hot tea too.  These friends offer me grace, relief and respite, becoming my shelter from the storms of life.  Today - I wish I was not so far from home.

Remember

We're linking up with www.thegypsymama.com this morning for 5 minute Friday.  We get to write for 5 mins without worry, care or editing!  Click the 5 minute Friday button and join!

I remember lots of things about my childhood.  I remember a sister I clung to on the first day of school, but with whom I would fight ferociously at the drop of a hat.  I remember being in neighbours houses, playing on the carpet that smelled of "carpet fresh" newly vacuumed for the guests that would be due for coffee that day.  The smoke would curl in the air, as passive smoking had never been mentioned then, and these women, our mothers would coffee date their way through life.  Do we change that much?  Maybe the smoking part!  I remember my Great Grandmother showing me a love that was unrivalled.  Such fun to be had at her home!  Shouting down the hollow banister to each other that went round the corner which made it all the more exciting!  The hours she spent teaching me to read, to write when I was just 3 years old, the hugs, the stories, the games, the chocolate wafer biscuits and the fizzy blackcurrant.... oh the love!  I remember my Grandpa walking miles with me, along with all 5 cousins every Saturday without fail, come rain, shine or hail.  I remember the love, the unfailing, unending love that bound us together.  Not perfect love, but love was the glue of our family.  I remember that God loves us and His love is the glue of our family.