A full week

 Savoring simple everyday pleasures 

A wintry dawn sky

This week has been out of the ordinary in so many ways, which in itself I find rather exhausting. 

"You are in Exactly the right place, at exactly the right time, doing exactly the right thing" Oprah 

This has been a comfort and source of strength and encouragement to me throughout the week in various situations. 

Two things I've had to remind myself of during the last few days:

Not to over commit, some weeks - such as this- it can't be helped, but having a jam-packed schedule sprinkled with a few high stress situations and several late nights left me feeling wrung out and exhausted. 

Thank fully we are having a full but very pleasant long weekend, full of relaxed social engagements, errands, time in the garden and time with each other- So I'm starting to feel more refreshed and relaxed and very grateful for the Monday holiday! For me this involves equal measures of down time, social interactions and fresh air- along with feeling organized and prepared for the coming week. 

Secondly, we have to be prepared for storms- metaphorical ones and the thunder and lightening kind. They're going to happen periodically and while we can prepare to an extent, we can never fully know their full effect until after the fact. It's wise to step back, take stock, plan, make provisions, and approach the "clear up" as an opportunity for fresh growth and new beginnings. 

Recession is very real and evident here at this point. Many business are struggling and in the past week alone 3 large retailers- one a veritable institution of over 140 years, are closing their doors for good. So very sad for all the hundreds of employees and inevitably heartbreaking for the owners and those who's had to make such a hard call.

 Its also been a week where 3 friends/ colleagues have very sadly lost loved ones, not entirely unexpectedly but devastating never the less, and leaving the families understandably reeling. 

Even in these darker moments, we must remind ourselves to seek the good- stay positive, and have faith there is a plan- We are in the right place at the right time doing the right thing....A new business venture comes to the fore as another one wraps up, an opportunity to travel that didn't present itself before, a loved one slipping away peacefully from their pain and suffering after a good long life. A career change that wasn't remotely on the horizon until a turn of events. A special person you are about to meet, a new friendship about to blossom, or reconnecting with an old friend.

My lovely Mum has taken it upon herself to adopt a very elderly cat this week- one of the poor souls who passed away a few days ago left behind her much loved 21 year old cat- yes, 21! So she now has a new home with Grannie- a tentative decision at first but as it turns out a very lovely and gentle union. A pussycat who is well in herself but so advanced in years she cant possibly be here for a huge amount longer, a sweet, petite gentle little thing who's world has been utterly turned upside down, now she and my Mother are keeping each other company and adjusting to their new life together- however temporary- a warm loving, peaceful and  quiet last home for the cat, and an unexpected bit of much missed furry company for a lifetime cat lover. Its really very touching. And of somewhat of a relief to the family left behind that the treasured kitty whom they were unable to take on, has a comforting and supportive new home for as long as she requires it. 

As I type at the kitchen table with a coffee on this grey Sunday morning, a piece of music just came on (KUSC) which just pulled me instantly back about 40 years! It was the music in a story cassette tape I used to listen to in my bedroom as a child of the Secret Garden, Francis Hodgson Burnett. Isn't it extraordinary how a smell or sound can transport you so completely!?  Another timely reminder that our tour here on earth is finite and goes by quickly. We need to savor all these little moments along with the big ones, as its all these compiled that make up our lives. All these events, people, jobs, joys and losses, gains and wins, pets, family, loves and experiences, ultimately make up the rich tapestry of our own lives. 

On that note we are off to celebrate a dear friends 50th - which I know she's had a little wobble about, but age truly is just a number, and she's one of the fittest, healthiest people I know and a true friend and inspiration. SO here's to 50 more happy healthy years ahead! Why not!?