Present: A gift

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

It has been a most unusual week. Nothing has been ordinary or routine, and while rather emotional and a little drained, I've welcomed the challenge its provided me. To remain grateful, happy, contented and most of all present. 

Several things occurred this week from sick children, to injuries, surgical procedures, and a long distance separation for a trip. But these were sprinkled with gentle moments, hugs, walks, warming toes by the crackling fire, kind messages, offers of help, delicious food and cozy wintry weather- as a contrast the the warm Fiji sun of the week prior. 

Time apart from a loved one, with thousands of kilometers and oceans between us, can leave us in a state of limbo, or with an attitude to just get through it and inherently wish the days away until their safe return. 

While the goodbyes were hard, and I'm missing my husband desperately, I am also looking at this as an opportunity to grow, to strengthen, to have a different experience with my girls, and to mindfully remain present. To see this as a gift. Not only for him to spend much needed time with family, but for me to explore and broaden my mind, attitude, skills and independence. To appreciate each wintry day a new.

Now our daughters are older they are much more independent, allowing me to continue to take early morning walks while they slumber, or run errands- as opposed to when they were younger and needed looking after in a different way.

"Do not dwell on the past. Do not dream of the future. Concentrate the mind only on the present moment"

And while I picture greeting my husband again, and with my positive thoughts manifest his safe return, I am also treating these days as unique gifts- as every day should be, but we do sometimes forget and get caught in the hum drum of daily life, to dos, routine. We also - even unconsciously- may take our closest family for granted as they are ALWAYS there. There is much to be said for the saying absence makes the heart grow fonder. We have rarely spent time apart through our marriage and relationship, but each time we do I fall in love all over again. 

We are enjoying meals that I wouldn't necessarily prepare for his tastes, I only have to make half the bed in the mornings as I'm a very peaceful sleeper (!) and I'm enjoying a unique bonding experience with our girls and a change of pace and routine. While more responsibility and burden lies with me, I am choosing to embrace it and enjoy each day. The crackling fire, the cozy kitties warming their paws in front of it and a 1/4 less laundry is all part of the package! 

On the morning of the day he flew, I was retrieving the wintry sun dried towels off the washing line, and was aware of a fantail tweeting. I notice she is darting about above me, and I see, catching the light, she's chasing a small blue butterfly- lunch? She's flitting about high up over the roof and continuously calling and narrowly missing catching him until finally she does, and flitters away with her pretty tail on display. A privileged moment as a stood smiling with the laundry basket on my hip, smiling as I gazed upwards, A sign from the universe, a calm took over me. It was all meant to be. It was all going to be just fine. 

And here I am, on a cold wintry morning with watery sun trying to make its way through the mist. A beautiful walk at first light with a lovely friend and her pooch and 2 cats greeted me warmly on my return. 

Some housework, laundry, a few errands, then maybe a trip to the movies as a treat later. 

But first. Coffee