Precious Gifts
I got a letter in last week from the NHS, the National Health Service. I'll have to make an appointment with the nurse to have another screening done. Ever since I had surgery in March this year, I slightly dread these regular letters but I was fine in August so I'm sure I'll be fine in January. I should be positive, not worry too much and instead appreciate those precious gifts in life. Gifts that come in all sorts of shapes and colours and most of the time when you least expect it.
I've been given a most intriguing gift this year from a special person, it's like unwrapping layers of shiny, glittery paper, to find another one underneath and I feel like a little girl eager to get to the soul of the present enjoying each moment of unwrapping. I received another one in the shape of an email from a reader a few weeks ago when I wrote a somewhat personal post, a gift that left such an impression on me, I have been speechless for some time thinking about her touching words. She is one beautiful colourful inspiring person.
Then there are: ex-colleagues who became friends over the years, new friends and friends that have been in my life for some time giving me their unconditional gifts in the shape of trust, love, patience and comfort. And let's not forget the wonderful blog readers and writers out there who leave their gifts on each post that I write. Sharing their thoughts with me, saying hi or reading quietly in the background. Offering me help, comforting words and showing me their amazing support when I need it most.
I believe I have crossed paths with these people for a reason and my life has enriched in many ways by getting to know them each in their own shimmering rainbow coloured way... This morning when I woke up the city was covered with a soft fluffy blanket of fog. And I just stood there for a while enjoying the mesmerising view and let my mind drift away. I counted my blessings. Yes, life can be good and it doesn't have to be xmas to find gifts: for those who wish to see there is a gift each day of the year...
Happy birthday dad...
"I should be positive, not worry too much and instead appreciate those precious gifts in life" I totally agree. I was a very negative person before I met my husband but now (and mostly with his help and love) I have a more positive attitude towards life. It always helps :)
Happy Christmas Tess to you and your family and a Happy New Year :)
Best wishes,
You have a great way of putting things into words that are truths normailly hard to discribe but you do it so well.
After some chaos with cancled and delayed flights I am finally in the UK. I'll give you a call on boxing day when things have calmed down a bit to arrange meeting up over the next few days :) I'm going to be around until the 6th. I'm going to be celebrating my birthday on the 30th as well. I hope you can come along.
Happy Christmas
Did you get my email by the way?
Hi Wendy [or do you prefer Wen? :) ],
I don't think it's wrong to be a bit negative at times, one needs to vent too ;)
or even rant if you like *hehe* It wouldn't be human to be either negative or positive all the time, again I feel like things should be in balance... :)
It's nice that your husband helps you to keep that balance! Treasure it!
Thank you, have a wonderful Christmas yourself and a balanced New Year ;)
Thank you Stuart, I consider that a big compliment: it means a lot to me and you just put a smile on my face :)
So sorry to hear about the chaos at Schiphol but I'm happy that you arrived safely! Yes relax a bit and we'll meet when the time is right, no rush! I probably will be there to give you your well-earned birthday kisses *hehe* but I'm not a 100% sure yet but I'll let you know asap! Yes, I also received your email but didn't have time to reply yet and I figured we would see each other soon anyway... sorry if I have kept you waiting!
Have a wonderful xMas yourself! No I won't mention the 'E' special :p
See you soon!
When ever you want to give me my 'birthday kiss'is fine with me :p
I'll give you a call later
hi there - just came here via Maddie's blog. I see why I was drawn here! I am an expat too - although I live on the far southern coast in Devon (originally Canadian.) I understand lots of what you are going through in this wet & windy country! it's very nice to meet you!
Hi Megg, welcome :) and nice to meet you too! I will have a look at your blog in a while and leave a comment for you. Devon, I've been around there a while ago, it's beautiful! Much better than London I think!!!
I noticed Maddie put a link to my blog on hers but I only found out a few days ago so I still have to leave her a comment too. So nice to meet more expats! :)
Thanks for your visit, I really appreciate it!
Your photo's are stunning ~ so
evocative and magical ~
I believe there are not accidents ~
everyone comes into our life for a reason ~
I love how you find gifts in your everyday
life:)
oh!!
and I LOVE your banner!!!
Hi Maddie,
thanks for your visit :)
Happy to hear you like my photography, it's nice to know they can mean something to someone :)
Gifts: oh yes... found more: you just gave me one, a couple actually ;)
*Thank you for your compliments!*
Hello, I was directed to your pretty blog from expatwomen.com. Gorgeous pics yet I can't help feeling how glad I am that I'm here under tropical sunshine having great holiday:P. It's my way to runaway from cold Aberdeen, although my husband veto-es my idea of staying in Indonesia until spring so I have to go back next month....
Greetings from hot yet rainy Indonesia :)
Hi Anita, thanks for your visit and your compliments! Oh but Scotland is lovely ;)
I guess it depends on what you're used to: in the Netherlands it can be even colder than here in London so I'm not complaining. But I do agree, tropical rain is much nicer :)
Have a wonderful time there: I need to visit some day too and see where my dad used to live ;)
reading quietly in the background... that's right, no lurking going on ;-)
I could nick most all the comments before me, but nah. . . you know :-)
But how can I not comment on the photos?
Such atmosphere!!
My that tree looks somewhat familiar - even without the white blanket draped over its arms. . .
Now where's that nice blaze in the fireplace?