11 December. I am grateful today is nearly over. And for the most beautiful flowers thoughtfully chosen especially for me from those I love. Both near and far. They and the sight of my gorgeous daughters, their cousins, my sister and B made the day more than bearable. You guys, all of you, really do complete me.
I am grateful for three beautiful words today spoken by friends I am blessed to have, ‘are you home’?
I am grateful for an unexpected gift today. A just because gift. The very best kind. From an authentic selfless aware caring friend. The very best kind.
25 August. Travelling along the roads en route to Blackbutt I was once again taken aback by how beautiful and varied from gentle to lush to beautifully arid the Australian landscape is. B and I were commenting on how Australia was never on our radar. Not ever. And here we are on a saturday afternoon hurtling along some road miles from nowhere with one of our daughters ensconced with friends she would never have known in the middle of god knows where growing and being. Today I am grateful for the unexpected gifts and paths life gives us. And for the courage to take them.
I am grateful for a renewed awareness of the gifts that are everywhere. For a minneola tangelo. An intriguing mix of tangerine and grapefruit. A deliciously juicy sweet citrus fruit on a mild winters day. One of life’s wonderful combinations. Pure bliss.
Arienne and I had a chat with an inspiring woman today. An unexpected gift, this chat. She is a fifty something stylish elegant Canadian woman who has lived in Australia since she was nineteen. She is a true example of a woman living her life by her ideals. Living fearlessly. She was driving home late last friday afternoon (she lives in Eumundi which is a bit away from town), when she spotted three young hitchhikers. She noticed them particularly because the only girl was carrying a suitcase. Who hitchhikes with a suitcase, she wondered. And the poor girl was struggling a bit. And there was a storm brewing. And they were carrying a sign for Airlie Beach. Which is over 800kms away. She passed them and then seeing the sky, she turned back. She asked if they knew how far away Airlie beach was. A dutch boy and a french boy and girl, they clearly didn’t. Nor that it was illegal to hitchhike in Australia. She thinks it was because she was once looked after as a young hitchhiker that made her offer. Offer to give them a lift. And a place to stay for the night because of the impending storm. The trio graciously declined and said they would attempt to get a bit further. She gave them her number to call her if they changed their mind. And off she went. They did. And what a perfectly wonderful evening she had. What lovely young graduates with much to share. And even more perfect when the young frenchman said he would like to contribute to dinner as he had some food with him. She was not expecting Tasmanian Salmon. In a backpack en route to Airlie Beach. How perfectly french. She giggled and laughed and remembered as she shared. What a gift to her that evening was. How many of us would have done that? How many of us would have even considered it? The compassion, empathy and concern for others so outweighed her concern for herself. How wonderful to live a life free of fear. How inspiring. What a wonderful gift she gave them. The gift of her, of her time, of her lack of judgement. The gift of kindness. What a wonderful gift she gave us today. By simply sharing.
I met a lovely lovely lady today. Bridget. She did my wax at Life Day Spa. I am grateful for the feeling of pure indulgence of simply being there, but the wonderful gift of the time with this unique presence was completely unexpected. She has had personal experience with HIV and much tragedy in her family. At 26 she has lived through a lifetime of tough and harsh experiences, yet her energy is light and free and fun. She is kind and so very very wise. We talked nonstop. I felt so much, but I also gratefully, never felt a thing.
I was humbled today. By the lovely mum of a dear friend of mine. She told me I had a gift. In how I was able to write. That she gained from reading me. I was humbled because she had so much wisdom, so much knowledge, so much grace and so much to share. And was one of the most dignified woman I have ever met. It was an honour to spend some time with her. I wished I could write down everything she shared, because it all just made so much sense. She is the one who truly has a gift. The gift of treating everyone with love and respect and kindness. The gift of being able to see truth. The gift of being able to hold herself back so others can experience their journey. The gift of no ego. I am grateful that today I got to learn so much about myself from someone who knows nothing about me. I am grateful for and humbled by her wisdom. The wisdom that only time and experience can bring.
I was very grateful today that I arrived at the surf club early for my walk. I had time to watch this gorgeous chocolate labrador. Guide dog in training. He sat on this bench alertly watching after his trainer who went in for a swim. He never moved. His gaze never wavered. How committed he was. How committed his trainer was. What a gift to someone he will be. What a gift to me today to just sit and watch and learn.
grace and dignity 