the little ones

Grandy :: a family treasure

We had a special visitor come and stay from far far away.  He was named Grandy Bandy by Felix within a half hour of his arrival.

Each morning Annabelle asked the question "Where's Grandy? Puzzles?".

The days of this week were woven with new fun and distant and familiar feelings of love and special memories.  My Grandy, always making time for us and slowing down the pace to let us help him.

Such a beautiful gift to see that through as an observer.  A healing of heart, soul and mind.  A renewal of the hope that there is goodness in this world.  Kindness, time, care, love, contentment and hope.

Annabelle spent near on eight hours a day cuddled up doing the same puzzles over and over again.

A happy man, doing what he loves best, enjoying his family.  

summer days

 Picking and eating raspberries at a local farm.  

Pretty summer dresses.

Beach cricket.

To the beach and back again.

A new experience.  Sand.

the meaning of christmas

Notice the crown, nice touch don't you think?

I went out to the shops tonight and was disappointed and it wasn't  because Santa and the elves had gone home for the night.

I feel grieved that during the daytime, the lineup to see Santa stretches a long, long way. Much longer than the line up to the local church to celebrate the birth of Christ.

I feel annoyed that a large number of the population feel put out that the "religious" folk insist on church stuff at this "family" and "vacation" time of year.

I do however feel enormous hope when I reflect on the incredibly controversial way the King of the Universe showed up on planet earth.  Helpless, dependent, physically inferior.  A disappointment no doubt for the watchers waiting for a powerful King to show up and save them. 

 It means that maybe he can somehow work with me, helpless, dependent on myself too much and physically limited by my weary body.  It's comfort takes more preference than the good of my soul more often than not.

I just love that about God.  He does unexpected things, is radical and politically incorrect.  He is counter cultural and tends to get people offside.  He is master and who are we to suppose that he take second place to a fat guy in a suit?

Most of all he understands our human failings and gives us this amazing gift of Hope.

That is what I will be thinking on these next few days.  The beautiful hope of Christ.

a not so secret santa

A very exciting parcel arrived at my place last week.  It is probably one of the most anticipated postal packages I have had all year.

Even though it arrived in the middle of the afternoon, I had to put it aside until the smalls were in bed.  I needed to fully absorb the experience of opening this special box.

 You see I am a part of a sisterhood that spans the globe.  We have a special bond of friends that spans all continents (I think) and trust me, you don't want to know how you get to sign up.  This year, we decided to have some fun and play secret santa.

 A squeal of excitement as I realise that it contains many little packages with super cute little gift tags. Something to listen to, something for when you don't feel like cooking, something for fun and many others!  How gorgeous is that paper?

This package was like a box full of comfort and love.  It is one of those amazing moments to know you have been specially thought of and the gift of the time and effort involved to sent a thoughtful collection of treats to enjoy.  Every thing so incredibly "just the right" thing to bless me.  You humble me dear friend.