Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

 A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

 

(source)

Yesterday was a great day.  Eileen was not in any pain at all for the most part. She was able to sit on the sofa instead of reclining and did some diamond art as well. She has come a very long way in three weeks. (today) I am ever so pleased in her progress.  She is thinking she might try to go out for a short while today.  She is still in bed at the moment, but was up earlier to use the loo. I hope she can go out, even if only for a short. I think the change of scene and air will do her good.

We have had a beautiful October.  It's been dry for the most part and sunny with just a tiny bit of rain.  Its been cool in the evenings yet almost mild during the day.   I have loved it. There has been some frost and a few windy and very cold days, but it's been a really beautiful month.

Tears that come out of nowhere and without reason . . . they are just always there.  Sometimes the dam breaks and they leak out rolling down my cheeks.  I miss my mother so very much. Out of all the people I have known and loved, and who loved me back . . . . she loved me first.  While I was in that secret place her heart beat  was the song that sang me to sleep . . . her quiet murmurs kept me company, her love followed me all the days of my life.  It has not gotten easier . . .   even though in January it will be 8 years since we lost her.  I don't think you ever stop missing your mom.  I have been feeling particularly tender over these past weeks.  Probably just everything that's been going on with Eileen, etc.

I like to think that mom is still there holding me, comforting me, loving me  . . .  I know with a certainty that we will be together again one day, and whilst I am not in any hurry to get there, I look forward to that beautiful reunion.  At the present it seems like a long, long time, but then, on the other side it will seem like it has only been a brief moment. 

 

I live at the head of the Great River

You live at the Great River's tail.

Daily I think of you; though I don't see you.

Both of us drink from the Great River.

Out in the garden early one morning this past week, I heard that familiar sound and looked to the skies to see several flocks of Geese flying South for the winter  . . .  it is a haunting sound to me, but so familiar.  It embroidered the October days of my childhood and it embroiders them still. It is the sound of time which is passing, we cannot hold it back no matter how hard we try . . . 

The power and comfort of prayer. I do not know where I would be without it. I tend to have a prayer running through my head most of my day. God hears them all, the ones spoken and those unspoken. I truly believe this. When we don't get the answers we want, that doesn't mean He hasn't heard our prayers. It just means that what we were wanting was not in God's plan for us, or in His timing. He has a plan and it is always what's best.  His timing is always perfect as well.

All of your love, prayers and happy thoughts over these past few weeks.  We have felt them and been so very grateful for them.  Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Knowing, absolutely knowing that this is truth. It is a truth I have carried in my heart for all of my life.  I am never alone. Knowing this makes a huge difference. I am truly blessed.  

Having an attitude of gratitude.  This makes life infinitely better.  I am so happy that I am able to live my life with gratitude.  I hope that I always will.  

This is becoming my mantra. As I get older I realise that I need things less and less. Less IS more.  I feel much better when the clutter disappears and clean, clear spaces rise up in its place. I have a ways to go but I am trying.  

The difference between an abundant life and a life that is always in need, is all in how you look at it.  If you are happy with what you already have, then anything over and above that will always feel like a bonus. Happy mind  . . .  happy life. 

I didn't get to church yesterday as I didn't want to leave Eileen on her own for that long. Maybe next week.  I did watch it online. It was the Primary presentation which is always one of my favorite services. I like to see what the children have been learning. We also did not go to my sisters for supper, which was decided on Saturday. I couldn't say for sure how Eileen would be feeling so we decided to let it go for another week. Turns out we probably could have gone. Never mind, next week we will probably be able to go.

In any case my life is full and I am at peace. I have enough. Of everything. Enough and then a bit to share. You can't ask for much more than that.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Reading is important.
When you know how to read,
then the whole world opens
up for you.
~Barack Obama

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Blue Ribbon Gingerbread. Everything a great gingerbread should be. Dark, moist, tender and bursting with warm spicy flavours.

I hope your day is a nice one and that your week ahead is filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things. Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!