Watching the horrific goings on in Japan, with the massive earth quake and tsunami has had an enormous emotional impact on me this week.
And I haven’t stopped thinking of the many families and friends all over the world that are currently being affected by grief this monster has created.
It reinforces to me yet again how our time should be cherished as we never know what an ‘ordinary’ day can bring.
It also draws my attention to ALWAYS being appreciative of the little things we sometimes take for granted. Especially when there are people struggling to survive in nature’s aftermath….half a world away.
For me, this week, these are a few things I’m thankful for……
This has been our sky in California this week!
A lush shade of blue, like a canvas that’s waiting to be painted. I’ve enjoyed sitting outside, with the sun’s dancing rays warming me through to my bones…while listening to the birds chirping that are oblivious to the stresses in the world……
And with the onset of ‘almost’ spring, one of my favorite things has sprung to life. My jasmine vine! It’s sprinkled with delicate clusters of sweet smelling gems, huddled together beneath the bushy green leaves, just waiting to burst open and fill the air with its sweet perfume.
Jasmine to me is like an antibiotic…it reminds me of my mum and also of my sister’s house in Australia which is dripping in the sweet smelling vine in springtime.
Tarnia’s coffin was laced with Jasmine, but I find it comforting to inhale its powerful scent. It provokes many memories of home and the people I love. I always snip the first buds that appear and place them on Savannah’s shelf next to her urn. They are delicate like she was and the aroma sweetens our family room…you can almost taste its intoxicating nectar.
We’ve enjoyed some family time this week….paused all electronic devices for a while and indulged in some good old fashioned games!
Our friend Steph introduced Dempsey to the unfashionable game of Jacks…she took to it like a duck to water…..and mastered it with a huge grin!
Then of course there was Chess with Daddy. While I washed dishes, I found myself smiling as I watched Demps and her Dad silently enjoy this game of strategy. Needless to say, Dempsey has a long way to go before she can beat Peter, which is more than I can say for me! :)
Just some effortless family time warmed my heart this week.
And of course there was a lesson from Dempsey…my perceptive, wise beyond her years eight year old, who continues to teach me about life!
I snapped this photo of her tiny book of thoughts which she told me I wasn’t allowed to look at, but couldn’t help sneaking a peek….she writes…”Facts that are odd in life. 1. Life!”
I can’t wait to read what she divulges next!
And life is just that, ‘odd’…..hours filled with different sorts of moments, like a game, where you don’t know what cards you’ll be dealt or whether your number will come up next…..
These moments can fill us with happiness, help build and mold our world, make us grateful and always remind us to never take a second for granted……I only have to think of what must be going on over the pond in Japan to be mindful of just how thankful we should be for each day we are graced with!
Thankful for Chez, a stranger until a few months ago...a lady who's been reading my blog from Australia, who is loving and thoughtful and understands the gift of grief...and time...thank you Chez for gifting me with me with this wonderful piece of art of our angel! How lucky I am! x
Wishing you sunshine and reflection and moments of peace and joy this week if your cup is blue...keep our Japanese neighbors in your thoughts! x
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