Ten Things of Thankful 21st Jan 2109

21st Jan 2019

Today I'm joining the TTOT - Ten Things of Thankful . If you go to :

tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com

you'll find others who are taking up the challenge.

I always find it difficult to get my life back on track in January.
It did occur to me that making resolutions at the beginning of the year is much too difficult , especially when you consider that we are usually tired with having lived through/survived the Christmas season. Now don't get me wrong I do love Christmas, but apart from Church involvement there's lot of socialising  with family and friends and of course, the overeating and drinking too much. And, because, as a family, we keep the twelve days of Christmas, ie 25th Dec- 6th Jan,  we are still celebrating when people are making their new year's resolutions. So, it doesn't quite work.
So my proposal is, let's start our new year at the beginning of February. It makes sense.
So, that's what I'm aiming for this year. It gives me a few more weeks to get myself together and get my head around what I might want to do to make improvements in my life in 2019.

I'm getting distracted. Here's my ten things of thankful :

1. For the daylight which is lengthening as each new dawn. This morning it was getting light at 6.45 where we live and in the afternoon yesterday it was after four before I had to put lights on at home. So, we're getting there. I love the journey into spring . Next month we'll have at least another hour of daylight. And then another two in march . I look forward to that so much.
2. Following on from the last one, I'm thankful for my eyesight that gives me so much pleasure. Even the colours as I look out of my window. The brown of the tress silhouetted against a blue sky, grey shadows of plants and fence on the green grass.   The sun glinting off the glass in my husband's studio. A little robin with his red breast sitting on the fence.
That I can see the smile of my husband and my children and grandchildren.
On my birthday some of them came to visit and what a picture it was see them together around the table - healthy and happy.
3. I'm thankful that I'm fit enough to go for walks - legs still good. And I'm particularly thankful that I did an 11 km walk with my daughter and future daughter in law last Saturday, along the clifftop with the sea a glassy picture to our left ( well, to our right on our way back, obviously) and a beautiful view of Reculver Towers (look it up). It was such a precious time. We talked, laughed and encouraged each other. What happy memories we make

4. I'm thankful for the enjoyment of good books and that I belong to a book group that pushes me to try things that otherwise I might not. We've just read THUG ( The Hate You Give) by Angie Thomas. Unexpectedly I enjoyed it. Not something I'd pick up for myself. Before that I'd read and enjoyed The Tattooer  of Auschwitz, which I thoroughly recommend.
5. Only at number five? Here we go then. I'm thankful that we have enough to eat, especially when I think that so many don't have much even in this country.  Food banks don't seem to touch the  tip of the iceberg. I would hate to think that anybody didn't have enough to eat.
6. And, along the same lines, I'm so thankful that we have a house (home) to live in. This time of year is deadly for the homeless, literally. Many die from being out in these cold months. But it's not just have a home, it's being able to afford to put the heating on , at least for a little while in during the winter. And those who need it most, namely the elderly, who spend the majority of their time indoors, are the ones sometimes, who are least able to afford  to keep warm.
7. Only three more to go. Number seven , but actually first on my list, because it is just me. I'm so thankful for my faith. And for God who believes in me. Something a friend said comes to mind. Her son said I'm not going to pray, I don't believe in your God anymore, it's all rubbish. She turned to him and said, well, that's ok, because God still believes in you. Magic...
8. I am thankful for my parents and my grandparents who have gone before me. They have made me who I am . Some very special people there
9. I ma thankful for birdsong . I can hear it as I sit here writing and it cheers my spirit no end.
10.And I am hugely thankful for people creating blog posts like this one - TTOT - that I can get involved with and that wakes up my little grey cells.

So, thank you everyone. I can't wait to see all your posts and see what you are all thankful for.

Well Blessed

16th Jan 2019



Well Blessed - My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I didn't realise the number I'd reached was a significant number.
So I was taken by surprise at the amount of attention it ( I ) was given.
From the first moment, when my thoughtful husband gave me my card and then a present. It's not something we normally do, giving each other presents, unless it's a special birthday, so I was delighted to get this unexpected gift - a small, portable, old- fashioned radio which I've been wanting for sometime. So useful, in the house, for taking with me to whichever room I'm in and also just right for taking with us on our jaunts in the camper. It's beautiful and a bit retro - I love it.

I did make myself a tasty breakfast. Quite often don't have breakfast , or maybe just a bowl of porridge, because, well, you know it's "good for you". I very rarely have anything cooked ( yes, I know technically,  porridge is cooked, but it sort of doesn't count) and I'd never had this  before although I'd wanted to try it for a some time:
Baked egg and avocado - delicious
 


Then the joy, walking into my writing group and being sung to by my lovely writer friends. If it wasn't for Facebook that probably wouldn't of happened. And it was a great session too.
After stretching my mind for a bit with character study,  home to pick more cards up from the mat . So many cards... and such a lot of well wishing.  I was a little overwhelmed .
In the afternoon a visit form a dear friend with flowers, chocolates, another card and stories ( that's the best bit).                                                                                                      


Eight grandchildren for lunch with their two mums . And again more cards homemade this time- love the homemade ones- and cake and the children brought a little game that we could all play with. Proper party style.

Then in the evening a visit from two sons - hugs and stories to share. And also during the evening,  phone calls from those other children who, with living further away didn't get to see me.

And finally a gorgeous Indian meal with a beautiful daughter. She helped us make wise choices  from the take away menu, which turned out to be just right. Oh, and with the meal a glass ( or was it two) of red ..
But it's not the things I got, which is neither her nor there - I'm not materialistic at all - it's the fact that people, especially my wonderful family think of me. I feel so appreciated.

I am truly well blessed . Don't know how come I deserve so much love.  xxx

Ten Things of Thankful

25th Mar 2018

My ten things of thankful for this week:

1. I had a  spiritual uplift on a morning of recollection . A quiet time to put things in order with myself and my God and to learn how to live more in the moment .

2. I am thankful for the priest who is always inspired to share a beautiful wisdom about living as a Christian in the world today.

3. And for the friends there who share the same Faith and are walking the same path. We have an incredible bond
4. On the same day on the way home, I enjoyed a walk by the Thames, taking in the reflected images on the glittering water, so pretty in the afternoon sun.

5. On the train journey home I met a lady who was full of life and gave  me some great entertainment  with her chatter and friendliness

6. A few days later I was asked by a friend to help her when she went into hospital for a minor op. She only wanted me to collect her but I felt honoured that she felt able to ask me .

7. When we got to her place she was a bit unsteady so I stayed with her and enjoyed a few hours of tea , biscuits and chatter.  It was a pleasure to be able to be of some service to her., especially as I know how difficult she found it to ask me. And it made me think that in general in society we need to help each other more and not expect that someone else will step up . We are the ones

8.I was so thankful this week that my son and his fiance , who have been living with us for a year, are finally going to be able to move out. We had the walk around of their new house on wednesday and next week they get the keys. There is a lot to do so they won't be out for another few weeks, but the end is in sight for them and for us!

9. And I am so thankful that i made it to the writing workshop this week. I have missed so many friday afternoons. But I have been so grumpy about not getting to my writing that I decided that it was going to be a priority. I always have a struggle to get to it and did have to miss an extra choir practice ( It's Easter soon!). And that is the reason I'm here writing this now. Because I've been energised. I needed it.

10.And the biggest thankful is that it was a dear friend's 50th birthday and her and I and three other dear friend's celebrated by going away for the night. I could have spent the whole ten thankfuls on just this one thing. So much joy - walking by the sea together, having a meal together ( by the way the food was excellent - I had sea food chowder which is a huge dose of thankful in itself), talking together, drinking together - All so good...

There you are folks ...

Today revised

18th May 2017

Since then, after a struggle of more than 730 days, you must be seven,

In your mid forties in time, in living only a small child with lots still to learn

But you are eager to build - to be a father, a son, a brother, a friend

And you put in the pot too the work that you do and you give it all a churn 

So, you may be seven, but your growing fast, is the best yet to be ?

Will the bud that you are, unfold some more reaching its fullest bloom?

Though the flower be the unusual sort , one that's not easy to train

Or will it be of the hardier kind, a delightful gift to brighten the room

16th May 2015

TODAY Today is special, Today is your birthday, Today you are Five, and Today , you celebrate , You celebrate by, Taking your daughter Swimming - something You both enjoy. Today, you, her father Are both older and younger Than her. She doesn't know, It's your Birthday, That , Today you are five. It's enough that you know. You were born , Out of the Death, Of your niece . You, rose up Out of her ashes. Her, a babe, Your own sweet angel, Drew you back To the womb, Gave you new life. And today , you can look back, To that other form, To that person who drank, Who was terminal, Still part of Your ancestry, But not you, No, Today you are five .

Happy Birthday.

Poem and Story

Day 28:  28th April, 28th Poem

For the prompt:

In The Shade

Cold, 

Like marble,

Having hot bath

And also for today, a story:

                                Birthday

             My grandmother would much rather be running the London Marathon, especially as this was to be it's final year. Having already taken part seven times before, it was one of the things she most looked forward to.
             But, instead,  today being her birthday and also the last time we would see her, she is having a party.
             "Grams , what about this one?" Bright pink lipstick in hand,  hair dyed purple and gathered on top of her head,she looks away from the mirror as I hold up her  red dress decorated with tiny gold butterflies around the top.
             "OK, yes, that's fine. Get me a cuppa please, would you,  dear?"
             "In a minute, I just want to help find shoes to match your dress"
              The truth is I want to spend as much time as I can with her before she leaves for good.
Before I can bring the tea back to the bedroom she is standing beside me in the kitchen.
              "Wow, you look great. Well, you always do, but today..." I turn,  fiddle with the cups and quietly wipe away tears  that I can't hold back.
              "I never told you how I met your grandfather, did I?" she sips her tea, enjoying a moment of wistfulness. I try to compose myself as I answer,
               "No, but you better do it now or I'll never know." So she did.
               A tale of young love enfolds and we are both surprised when an hour later the doorbell rings. Mum and dad have come to take us to the venue.
               As we walk into the Sianuthe Hotel, balloons, music and about one hundred and fifty people give us  a cheery greeting. Grandmother smiles warmly as she is escorted through the adoring crowd, to her table, where she sees her close family gathered.
             "Happy birthday, Mum and huge commiserations. I wish it could be different" Auntie Rathuna  throws her  arms around her mother sobbing, as the others mutter their agreement with her heartfelt words. Two more daughters, one son and  five grandchildren take their turn in similar fashion. I try to sit next to my grandmother, but that place has been taken, on one side by my father, the eldest and on the other by Nick, my cousin and the eldest grandchild.
             We enjoy the most wonderful meal , with excellent service and even better food.
             "I think that salmon was the best I've ever tasted" Grandmother says pushing  her empty plate to the side and carrying on her conversation with my cousin Nick. She is always interested in hearing about his research into the  new  drugs programme. She has been closer to Nick since his Dad went three years ago after they found out that he had cancer of the bowel.
             It didn't used to be this way. In 2015 when grandmother was forty, dad told me that people were looked after when they had  these sort of illnesses and nursed till they died a natural death . He also said that people often lived till they were eighty or ninety or even a hundred. I couldn't imagine what that was like, what kind of world it was then . I mean who would look after all those people.
              My grandmother has been lucky. Today is her seventy fifth birthday. The age people are allowed to live to if they are fit and healthy.  If they didn't interfere she would probably live many more years. Maybe she'd be one of those who lived to be a hundred. No, that's too weird.
            The meal  over we hit the dance floor where my  grandmother, who loves dancing, doesn't sit down  till it's over.
The end of the evening comes much too soon  for my liking. But it's the way it is. The way it has to be.     We say our goodbyes, waving at the car as dad drives his mother to the Gryndiomo Centre where they will give her an injection and she will die.

Notes:
Hotel name - Sianuthe - anagram of euthanasia
Gryndiomo - anagram of Dying Room

The above piece is a response to the news that the government want GP's to ask any older person, healthy or not, to sign a  "Do not resuscitate" form. We could be headed for a bleak world indeed.