Tender

Writing with Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday this morning over at The Gypsy Mama.  Won't you join?

Tender

Sometimes she holds me in the biggest bear hug imaginable and she reminds me so often of animal from the Muppets with hair flying wildly and is all arms and legs.  Not a baby in arms but she is 5, this girl child of mine.  But other times, she will pause long enough to be still and her breath is sweet and gentle on my face, and one arm curls round my neck in the most tender of embraces.  She cradles her other arm tightly round bunny and lodges her thumb firmly in her mouth, and her arm brushes softly against my hair.  She loves tenderly as well.  What stops a busy mum long enough to know this tender love?  Just be still is whispered.  Be still.  Over and over again that tender refrain to pause long enough.  

Time to hang with friends

I got to hang out with my friend today, and as we chatted I was really grateful for friends and really good friends in particular. They make the best counsellor, cheerleader and honest sounding board that a girl could wish for.  I enjoy that Jasmine got to play with my friend's daughter whilst we chatted over coffee.  I wonder if they will continue to be friends over the coming years, and I realize that these childhood friendships are as precious as my own now.  I need to nurture the friendships that are beginning in my children's young lives.  And I hope and pray that these new friendships become old friendships.  I love that when I hang out with these girls, that there doesn't have to be anything fake or showy.   I am uniquely made, and I can bring that to my friendships, and enjoy each and every person that comes in to my life for their unique qualities too. 

New Year's Day

The children and I headed off for a walk this morning with Monty Dog.  He was disobedient as ever but I suppose he must have a joyful heart to skip so merrily in the sand.  And there's something reassuring about a belly giggle from the small girl as she decides to build a sandcastle with her brother on this mid winter day.  I didn't join in, I was too mesmerized by the bleak grey and winter scene unfolding before my eyes, and if the truth by told, a little numbed by the cold.  There are eagles here.  They sit silent and watchful, but their unique call always gives them away, and sometimes I am lucky to have one swoop by, almost in slow motion, but passing so close that I can look in to his shiny black eye, as he looks in to me.

My thoughts are a long way away, maybe on the distant shores of home, not on the nearby shores of this riverbank.  

I long for fresh starts at the start of the fresh year.  Can a heart really be transformed, and can a fresh start really be given daily?  I wonder about these things, and I wonder what the year ahead will bring.  

In the unrest, upheaval and unknown of today, the snow starts to fall and gleeful feet jog homeward.  

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
community, when blood family is on distant shores
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  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
don't look back!
weekend approaching

and more....

and more...

and more.....

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.