I was talking about intimacy with a friend this morning. She was mourning the lack of intimacy in her relationship with her partner. I asked her how she rated the intimacy she has with herself; being tender, kind, forgiving, loving and gentle with herself. (more…)
I walked past the coffee shop and saw her looking intently into the face of a pretty young girl as she held her hand. The girl was listening carefully to her every word. (more…)
Recently I was asked to speak with a small group of people about starting their memory books. Glenys wants to put together a pictorial story of her husband’s life. Colin wants to update his memory book to include a brother and sister who he has just discovered. Therese wants to trace her memories back to Ireland and add them to the Australian branch. Libby has just finished compiling a memory book of her parent’s farm and would like to extend it to include her family. Mary wants to write her personal story. (more…)
I don’t always remember to be kind. Sometimes I am on a treadmill, my brain too full to notice the wonderful things around me. Sometimes the compassion needed to express kindness is hidden under a block of busyness and is not easy to access. Worry, problems, time constraints, selfishness, not being in the moment; all bury kindness somewhere inside me. (more…)
She’s got a heavy heart, a messy soul, a reckless mind,
and I think it’s beautiful the way she carries herself.
Sean Bates
When I read this, something inside me relaxed; something moved through me and I realised that I can have amazing things, good and bad happening in my life and still be OK. Still be the essential me. (more…)
I was rushing to visit my Dad a few years back, ticking off my list of things completed and adding others as I drove steadfastly towards RSL Care.
I had just been to a meeting and I was concerned about another one, scheduled on the other side of town in two hours; yet it was very important to fit this precious man into my crazy schedule. (more…)