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.   

  

I am ever so grateful for the many kindnesses of others.  I can never begin to repay people for all that they have done for me.  I am not sure I deserve any of it, but I am very grateful for all of it.  You have blessed my heart in unimaginable ways. Prayers, help, encouragement, etc.  I will forever be thankful for all of it. Thank you. thank you, thank you. You have made a very difficult transition so much easier. I know I have a ways to go, but you've helped to get me off to a good start, and I am grateful for that. I truly am. 

 

(source) 

 

I don't know how I have coped being so far away from my family for as long as I have. I suppose I had somehow determined that it was just the way things were, and I had to learn to live with it.  God is good however, and now I find myself living near and with family, the one thing I had always longed for, for all of these years. I   know it is early days yet, and with Covid it is somewhat restricted as to just who and how I can see people, but it is not some distant dream any more. It is within my grasp and reality. I can do it. It will happen.  I will see all of my family at some point.  And that is a great blessing for me. No matter how it has come about.  Out of the ashes, rises the phoenix. This is the great silver lining of a dark cloud. 

 

 

 

Sunday Dinners with my loved ones close.  Sitting around the table with family.  Laughing together, loving together.  Just being together.  I have missed all of this and now it is mine again. I am so grateful for that. Eileen came over for dinner yesterday as Tim had to be at his parents overnight.  So there was Dad, Cindy, Dan, Eileen and myself. It was great! 

 

Being able to celebrate one of my children's birthdays in person. Its actually Doug's birthday today, but being able to celebrate it with him on Saturday was really like a dream come true for me.  And I am pretty sure it meant a lot to him too! 

 

 

 

I feel like I have only been existing all of these years.  Making do because that was how it had to be. With one corner of my heart longing always for something else that I didn't think would ever be mine.  And now . . .  it is mine. I will actually be able to "live" the rest of my life in a way that I know is going to bring me great joy, despite the sadness that brought it about.   And if I live two years or twenty years, they are going to be the best years ever. 

And part of the reason I know that, is because I know what it is to have been deprived of family, and it is not something I will ever take for granted. Not ever. I am truly blessed. 

 

 

 

I know this is not the end of my journey. It is the holding place in between what was and what will be.  It is still a very nice place to be and I am grateful for this experience.  For having a place to come home to.  I am grateful for this time I will have to heal and to gather my thoughts before I move into a more permanent situation. I could not do this without the love of my sister and her husband Dan. I hope I won't wear out my welcome, and I hope that they always know how very grateful I am for them and their support. 

 

 

 

This view. I took this photo yesterday with my iPad.  It turned out surprisingly well! 

 

 

Blue, blue skies. Not a cloud in sight.  Home Sweet Home. Missing my mom, but I know I am where I am supposed to be. That visit is still to come. It will be bittersweet, but will also give some closure. 

 

 

 

This is very true.  Its a shame we have to experience painful endings to be able to actually recognise this truth, but its all a part of life.  

 

 

 

Crunchy Cheetos!  My sister had put a bag of these into my hotel room.  They are one of my favourite things.  It was just a small bag, but yes . . .  I did eat them. Naughty me. 

 

 

 

I have cried many tears over these past weeks, but thankfully there has also been a full measure of this. Laughter in abundance.  I am so greatful for that. Laughter. It is truly a healing balm. 

 

I have so many blessings in my life. Much to be grateful for.  Life is very good.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *Hate. It has caused a

lot of problems in this world.

But it hasn't solved one yet.

~Maya Angelou •。★★ 。* 。 

 

 

 

In The English Kitchen today.  Goulash.  This is the recipe Doug and I cooked together on Saturday.  Its brown food.  Brown food never photographs well. I am greatful for the memory!  And trust me when I say it truly is delicious. 

 

 

Happy Birthday to Doug!

His last year in the thirty's.

Next year the big Four Oh!

I hope he has a beautiful day! 

I hope that you have a beautiful day also!  Don't forget! 

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And I do too!