three hundred and twenty six

IMG_6531

6 December. I am grateful we are finally in our new home. And that my Lynn chair was the first piece off the truck and in the house. Just makes it even more perfect.

three hundred and twenty five

IMG_6384

5 December. Courteney caught a train from Brisbane to Cooroy to help us with our packing. And just to be with us. The train never made it to Cooroy, it was terminated at Nambour. Shock and horror. I loved the reprieve from packing the journey to Nambour gave me, even though I had no idea where I was going and I knew an angel was waiting for me to rescue her. I was so grateful for the sight of her familiar blue green eyes, especially when I saw the flash of relief as she recognised the jeep. I remain amazed at how much our girls have grown here, in independence, but I also love how young they still are too.

fraud

I just realised I’m a bit of a fraud. I just had surgery. And it was cosmetic. Well, not really. Actually not at all, but it was a lift. Of sorts. An internal one. To my bowel. Shudder. I’m a fraud because as you all know I am a tad anti cosmetic surgery, because of how weird women ultimately end up looking. And I think women are beautiful, all women, old or young, just as they are. So now I’m wondering. It’s all just the same really. To stop the sag of life. In my case caused by childbirth, a lifetime on my feet and hastened by chemotherapy. You’ve just got to love how cancer is a gift that just keeps giving. I do try to embrace the passing of time and relish every little moment, punctuated by gratitude, but the last couple of days have been delightfully challenging. Those who know me well, know that I have privacy issues when it comes to that area of my anatomy. We all do, but it seems me more than most. Well, clearly no longer. And to be honest, do with me what you will, the knowledge that nothing sinister was lurking, made it all worthwhile. So, to anyone contemplating any form of surgery to rectify the sag, I say, go for it.

three hundred and twenty three

IMG_6339

Jem was elected a school leader today and House Captain. I love the way she quietly gets on with her life, with very little interference from me. I am grateful she is seen. It was beautiful today in assembly when I saw her eyes meet Kate’s, who gave her a silent victory signal in support and solidarity. I am grateful for lovely uniting moments, never mind how fleeting.

three hundred and twenty two

IMG_6321

We found my wig today. I put it on and Kate said take it off it’s horrid. Much the same response they both had when I first bought it. Which was one of the reasons I never wore it. Probably the worst purchase I have ever made. And not because of the wig (and it was horrid but it was the closest we could get, even after being styled to my old hair) but the fact that I had to shop for one.  Bizarre and awful. I know the wigs made many feel whole again, for me it just underlined the fact that I wasn’t. Weird but I felt like I stood out more when I wore it than when I was bald. My mistake was trying to be me. I wish I had had the courage at the time to be mad, go blonde, go blue, go black. I just didn’t feel fun I guess. Today I am grateful for the fun we had with it. And that I never wore it.

 

IMG_6320.

three hundred and twenty one

IMG_6268

My daughters argue like most, but secretly adore each other which is actually quite precious. Today I am grateful for a particulary precious moment when Jem emerged dressed as Kate. Particularly precious because it was a delightful distraction from the boxes that needed to be filled. Not sure it will be a moment filled with sisterly adoration though when Kate finds out.

three hundred and twenty

IMG_6257

 

30 November. I am grateful for new beginnings and precious traditions. It seeems the Cawood way to farewell old homes and welcome new ones, is with dear friends, heaps of champagne and an empty house, one filled with love and memories and the other with love and new stories yet to be told. I am grateful the girls are as excited as B and I at our next adventure. Our new chapter.