I am grateful for two hands, one big and one small that found each other across the bed on a Sunday morning. I love our family Sunday morning cuddles, made even more precious because B is leaving us on Monday again.
I am grateful to a kind estate agent who allowed us to sneak into the house that is nearly our new home this evening to see the sunset and share a glass of bubbles. And for how right it felt.
2 November. I am grateful for a gentle squeeze from a friend. For her compassion, her genuine ongoing support and her authenticity. And for the solidarity of a silly pink wig. Year after fabulous year.
It’s fabulous to be out of your comfort zone. I am grateful to be learning something new from a talented gentleman who so willingly and so ably shares his wisdom, his knowledge and his talent. I am gaining so much, the least of which so far is an understanding of f-stops, shutter speeds and ISO’s. The experience is even sweeter because I’m sharing it with someone who understands exactly what my raised eyebrow means from the other side of the table. No words needed.
I am grateful for friends who are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.
I am grateful for happy children. My friends and family know how I agonised over the decision as to which school to send my ‘precious’ girls to. We ended up where we ended a little by default. Our first choice couldn’t take both girls. Probably my first lesson in letting go. I am grateful I had no say ultimately because the gentle environment they’ve found themselves in has allowed them to grow in immeasurable ways, ways beyond just academic achievement. Yet they’ve managed that too. But mostly I’m grateful for how I’ve grown, how I’ve learnt to let go a little, to let them be. And not to be too precious about them. You’ll be alright mate has finally got me too.
We put an offer in on a house and it was signed today. Damn if B is in Sydney again, so we can’t celebrate together. Well not today anyway. So today I am grateful for my friend who celebrated with me. Who knew what I needed. Who held my hand a lot through this process. Who knows what it means to me. To us. A defining day for the Cawoods. Cheers to us.
I am grateful for dress ups. Never ever grow up my angel.
I am grateful my best friend is home. It’s been a long week and I missed him.
26 October. I was screaming along the Bruce Highway, well as much as you can scream at a little over 110km/h, to get back to Noosa from Brisbane because the school had called. Kate was in sick bay. (Mom, where are you when I need you?) Anyway, as I was screaming along I passed a stationary little red car on the side of the highway. Sitting next to the car on a camping chair was an old man. Holding an umbrella to awkwardly shield himself from the 30+ midday sun. On the side of the highway. Odd. I couldn’t stop, and reassured myself he must be fine. Or someone would stop. Then I imagined he was stuck without a mobile with no energy to stand and everyone whizzing by thought someone else would stop. Bugger. I had to stop. Kate was waiting. My phone battery was almost dead. Where to stop. Fuck what to do. Then I passed a sign with this number on for reporting any traffic issues on the Bruce Highway. I needed to tell someone. Within seconds I was through to an operator. A minute later and the compassionate man had promised someone would be sent out to check. I hung up with a smile on my face. And thought to myself, today I am very grateful I am in oh so very efficient Australia. My friends in South Africa know exactly what I mean.
grace and dignity 