Owls and Orchids

image from creativepinkdesigns.blogspot.com

“Blessings be on this house,” Granny said, perfunctorily. It was always a good opening remark for a witch. It concentrated people’s minds on what other things might be on this house.”    ― Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

I seem to be saying this a great deal recently, but it has been a rugged week so far.  I’m not complaining, really, because having finally found a reason for a decade or more of ill-health which no doctor, specialist, alternative therapist and so on have been able to explain to me, I understood that getting well was going to be a rocky road.  The medications which I have to take are – well, not kind on my ‘fragile’ system, and killing off the wretched bugs causes its own misery. Yet, I have to acknowledge that these medicines are a Blessing in themselves.

I have my next batch of tablets to add to the first now and the combination simply increases the …… results. I am getting well, eventually, I simply have to weather the storm in the interim.  So the times when I feel totally wretched and ill, praying for the dreadful itching and vomiting etc to pass, may seem interminable at that time, but they do pass.  Then I can have some pleasant times, escapades if you like and I hold tight to those beautiful times when the bad ones strike.

Following absolutely awful mornings this week I have had afternoons filled with doctors visits and testing – I’m beginning to think it was more than a coincidence that we continually make new and fresh blood, if we didn’t I might be in a bit of a pickle by now! Now that is a true Blessing.

image from lauradoyle.org

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”  ― Lao Tzu

I have been blessed in so many ways, my two wonderful children who have become adults I am proud to say, these are my little children; I have had wonderful parents who taught me to be the person I have become; brothers who are the family I grew up with; and above all I have been graced by the friendship and love of an incredible man who I adore and adores me and we will grow old together… in this world and the next.

During my challenging times he is there, holding my hand, running baths, making cups of tea or making light meals to make me smile and stay strong. He sees me at my worst and at my best and loves me just as I am. A brilliant and wonderful blessing!

Brunch in bed with home-brewed latte

Don’t you love the serviette to protect those yummy yolk dribbles? I was surprised by this after hours of struggling to wake up, between staggering into the bathroom and getting myself together …. just the ticket and delicious!

Yesterday was my birthday. With everything we  have had to do I had decided a quiet day was the best way to go. Such are the “best laid plans of mice and men (oft go astray” by Robert Burns, “To a Mouse”.)… more tests needed!

So a trip up to the Gold Coast again and I was treated to a lovely lunch at one of our favourite coffee shops. The owner is such a sweetie who always goes out of his way to make sure everyone is happy and comfortable. It’s really old-fashioned service and always appreciated. Just the ticket to strengthen my foundering reserves after the tests.

Yet the SURPRISE of the day – week – month was not to be unveiled until I reached home again. I was looking forward to a cup of tea (always makes me think  of the scene from “My Fair Lady” where Rex Harrison is plopping marbles into Audrey Hepburn’s mouth as she says “Cup of Tea” and he and the Colonel eat cakes and drink tea.) Just a whimsical side track!

Feet up and cup of French Earl Grey tea by my side, I was told to relax whilst a quick meal was whipped up by my husband. A short while later he appeared around the corner with a beautiful silver box in his hand and inside the most beautiful necklace and earrings. Just look at the fabulous colours. WOW!

Beautiful Drusy Quartz necklace and earrings

Followed by the most delicious garlic prawns and stir fried veg with coconut cream dressing…. fabulous.

Garlic prawns and coconut cream stir fried veg…. delicious

Followed by a tired and resting birthday girl, propped up in bed wearing her jewels.

Happy Birthday Blessings

So, despite the trials and travails which I am going through, there are countless things for which I am grateful and recognise as blessings. They are what I focus on when things are tough. They make the times in between easier to bear and make the better times even brighter. Sometimes its hard to get to that good place, and there are moments, sometimes hours when it’s not easy to reach a happy place, but eventually I get there and count my blessings and realise I can and will go on.

I have fantastic support and understanding beside me every step of the way.  I have riches far beyond measure and I am so incredibly grateful that I can see that know that I will never be alone in my struggle or life.

I have been blessed with a wonderful life.

“Every positive thing in your life represents a single unique blessing. Every negative thing in your life has the opportunity to become a double blessing. For when you turn a negative into a positive, you gain twice. You are no longer burdened with the negative situation, and in addition to that you are strengthened by a new positive force”…    Author Unknown

I wish for you countless blessings to lighten your load.

Susan x