I am grateful Kate couldn’t go to her tennis lesson this evening. I am grateful because I got to take her place. It poured with rain, Jem and I got soaked. But what fun we had. What fun I had.
one hundred and seven
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Tag Archives: family
tick tock
Today’s the day it happened. Today’s the day my baby grew up. Tonight was the first time Jem spent her evening in her room, rather than lying on the other couch in the lounge with me. Or watching tv in the tv room while cuddling Jayde. Tonight she was in her room with the door closed. For the first time. With peals of laughter and much chatting going on. Without us. With boys and girls from her grade. I had to agree to her downloading Skype because all her friends have and because she’s never nagged me for anything. She’s graciously accepted my no’s to facebook and a mobile phone. But mostly because I’m ok with it. Skype that is, as long as my rules of whom and when are followed. But as much as I like to think it’s all on my terms, the fact is she spent the evening in her room. For the first time ever. With the door closed. I did pop in from time to time, as you do. But mostly, I just let her be.
.
one hundred and six
Between homework, facebook, instagram, tumblr, skype I never ever get a look in after dinner these days. So today I’m grateful for an unexpected treat, Kate cuddling up to me on the couch. And no, it’s not because Bondi Rescue came on as she wandered past. Oh, ok it might be. Anyway who cares, I’ll gratefully take what I get.
one hundred and three
I am very grateful for the spontaneous hug I was given by my newly 16 year old niece. I love our irreverent relationship, I love her sense of humour, I love that she gives back as good as she gets but I especially love that she can still cuddle like a 6 year old. And that she likes to cuddle me.
ninety nine
23 April. We had a stopover in Jhb en route to Sydney. I am very grateful my family came to see us off. Mostly I am grateful for the pinches Anna gave Granny to make her smile which made us all laugh. And helped me hide the tears. It doesn’t get easier leaving, it just gets more familiar. I am grateful for the knowledge of future meetings. In truth, it’s the only thing that helps.
ninety seven
21 April. I am grateful for the perfect last lunch on the patio. For a connection between people I love. For a connection between my daughter and my friend’s daughter that was there the day they were born. I am grateful for a personal connection of the heart. With a friend who thinks like me, laughs like me, talks like me, dresses like me, swears like me, drinks like me, is a slave to coffee like me, explores like me, cries like me, talks fast like me, overshares like me, who wears black, biscuit and grey like me. I am grateful for my friend Leigh, who is a true brave heart and who encourages me to be ok with me, but also inspires me to be so much more than me.
ninety five
19 April. Little Daemain is one now. The last time he saw Jem he was hardly more than one day old, yet he knows her. I am grateful for the love that is family. The love that was so apparent today in the connection that exists between these two. It is quite remarkable.
ninety three
17 April. I am so grateful today that my town girls got a real taste of country. Ok, a very stylish Sandi and Pete Olive farm taste of country but nonetheless. We had eggs for breakfast collected by Kate and Jem, amongst much screeching and much hilarity, they road on the back of the bakkie unrestrained down the farm roads, they picked olives,they got scratched, the played with the dogs, they got dirty, very very dirty, they went to the press, they tasted the first nectar as it was pressed, they helped empty the buckets and load the crates, they sat astride the tractor. They slept.
ninety two
16 April. I love quiver trees. I always have. I’ve always wanted a home with a quiver tree. I am so grateful I got to spend time today amongst the quiver trees at Sandi and Pete’s Olive farm. They make me feel quiet. They make me feel still. I loved being still in this little slice of heaven today.
ninety one
I am grateful that a little cherub called Coco, thinks I am her fairy godmother. It is truly wonderful to spend time, even if only once a year with my dear friend Y and her family, especially when it feels like no time has passed. Not even for the children. I am honoured to be little Chloe’s (my real name is Coco) godmother, and am determined to find my wand before her next visit.
grace and dignity 