Okay so we did have some rain today, but all in all it was a lovely day otherwise. The sun was shining, the washing blowing on the line - it all dried as well...just got it in before the downpour, not that the rain lasted. Guinea pigs were cleaned out, and some even got to have a run round on the grass.
I finally got my act into gear and booked my appointments with the specialist who is arranging for me to have a Spect CT scan, an MRI and a xray! I will then see him on 14th October to find out the results.
Ironing all up to date, now just need to start packing for Thursday. Only two more sleeps to go and I will be off to Germany to go and spend a week with a lovely thoughtful friend.
Just need to remember to return the library books tomorrow morning!!!
Some gorgeous colour for today:
A bumble bee enjoying the hebe.
I've been thinking a lot lately about friends and friendship and what it means. When I started to keep a blog, I never really realised quite what I was opening myself up for. I never realised how far reaching my blog would be, the experiences I would gain from it and the friends I would make. I have made many new friends, some of whom I have been lucky to meet in person, others that I have not yet met, but hope to, and others still who I may never get to meet, but even so count as a friend. Why is this? How can you make friends with people you have never met? This is a question that may well be asked. I think that this is simple in the world of blogging, where you get to 'meet' like minded people who share similar interests, ideas and thoughts, but also something else...they are not afraid to share a little of themselves either. I think it is these people, where you can see 'real life' shining out, in all its triumphs and despair, which enable you to develop a bond and thus a friendship. Sometimes it is simply a case of knowing you are not 'alone', being able to discuss, enthuse and yes sometimes even just have a jolly good moan and know that on a whole you are not being judged.
Through keeping this blog I have also discovered a wonderful forum, full of warm hearted, kind people who share an interest in crafting, re-purposing, decorating and other similar things. Again, I have been lucky enough to meet some of these people in person, exchange gifts with others and generally have a good 'chat'. It is one of these friends that has opened up her home to me this coming week, by inviting me over to stay with her when several weeks ago I expressed some of my struggles I was having and inability to cope with various things that were happening at that time. How amazing is that?
So despite my initial reservations regarding blogs, forums and the internet, it has opened a whole new REAL world out there for me, and I have had opportunities to meet people I would never otherwise have met, and also visit new places, that I may well not have ever visited.
Another wonderful aspect of friends is giving. To see the joy and happiness that a gift, whether simple or elaborate can bring to a friend is a wonderful thing. We should never underestimate the joy of giving, it really can bring so much more pleasure than receiving. I am, for example, very excited about the gift of the
Jelly Roll Quilt I am giving to a dear friend tomorrow. It has given me immense pleasure to make this quilt and I know I will be making many more to give away as gifts. Perhaps that is why I will never be rich in monetary terms as I am so much happier giving, rather than 'selling'. But I am indeed richer in the blessings and happiness these gifts bring.
An excerpt from Henry Wordsworth Longfellow brings us this:
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I know not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song:-
The song from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
Thank you to all my wonderful friends, who have held my hand (albeit virtually) in my times of need, who have lent a listening, unprejudiced ear, who care enough to add some kind words, or just sent gentle cyber hugs and know they will help. Thank you for the beautiful music to sooth the soul, isn't it amazing how someone so far away whom I have never met, knows just the right music to bring tears to my eyes, so moved am I by the 'gift' they are not tears of sorrow. I know there will be many more times when I will need to lean on you, and I will also be there for you if you need someone to lean on, to borrow a listening caring ear or to simply say you are not alone.
Thank you.
