Hey Ho, Hey Ho.......

Back to work yesterday following my three month hiatus post hysterectomy. It was strange. Strange because a number of people have gone in that brief period away. Redeployed to other areas of the NHS due to decommissioning of services. A number due to go in the next couple of weeks, people who I have loved working with for the last four years.

On my desk waiting was a small gift from a work friend, one whom I shall miss greatly ;-)

This beautiful votive with hand knitted sparkly cover.

I was touched by the words, both in the card and little tag attached.

 

Beautiful! I sat by candlelight watching the dancing patterns on the wall.

Wishing you a wonderful week wherever you are,
XX

Made Me Smile

This week I received three lovely, unexpected gifts! Small tokens of friendship & love to be treasured!

The first this gorgeous teacup and saucer, which I have loved using, being a BIG tea drinker. It has made me feel 'grown up' and sit down to really savour whichever tea I am drinking :-) rather than running round slurping as I go!!

This beautiful little bookmark from my Son. Lovely and bright amongst the pages of my book :-)

& lastly this cool bag, which is actually a shopping bag when you purchase clothing from Buffalo Exchange in America! I admired it at my friends and next minute it was on my shoulder - she was throwing it out!! Really like it, a perfect size for work, on the beach.....

Of course it doesn't have to be monetary gifts to make me smile.

But this week, these random gifts have :-)

What's made you smile?

XX

Friendship

Its funny how  throughout our lives we make friends. & how some of those friends come and go and others stick around. New friends are made along with new jobs/experiences, we then move on and may meet up with those friends once or twice, but slowly the friendship slides, not leaving an emptiness or space in your heart.

Other friends you meet, there is that connection, that something that binds you together. Those sorts of friendships are so precious and you would never want to lose, they would leave an emptiness, an ache.

I have a small group of friends from when I worked on a children's ward, I look on those years as my formative years. Its where I fell in love, married, became a Mum & all the angst in-between. Positive influences from great girls, who helped me to become the person I am today. I meet up with them once or twice a year and love the catching up, the laughter and the memories. See below!

Other friends made through children's activities, Mother & Toddler groups, Kinder Gym and the like. This is how I met my best friend. We share so much, deepest darkest secrets (yes, I have some of those - don't we all?) My husband will ask what we find to talk about. The answer EVERYTHING & you!! Lol! My life is so much richer for this friendship. A guiding light, her for me, me for her (I hope).

One friend I had lost contact with and it did leave me feeling a loss, time marches on, you think about that person often. How are they doing? How are the children? You call, it's the answer phone, they call, get the answer phone.....exchange of Christmas cards......and so it goes.......

This week I met up with her. We spent the most fabulous afternoon catching up in a lovely tearoom. It was like there hadn't been a three year hiatus, like we'd seen each other only a week ago, just with older children! We have promised that each time we see each other we will plan our next meet. 

When I got home, I had a beautiful text from her  - something she had read;

"Good friends are like good quilts; they never lose their warmth."

So true, don't you think?
XX

Mon Amie Française

In 2001 whilst enjoying a family holiday in Brittany, my Daughter found herself a French friend.

Her parents came over to check out where their daughter was spending time, as any good parents would. We chatted and discovered that 'JL' and Mr.L worked for the same company!!! 

Now, when I go on holiday it's about replenishing myself - I read, walk, rest, enjoy leisurely breakfast's and easy lunches. I don't get friendly with the people holidaying next to me, I definitely don't enjoy BBQ's with them - is that bad??

The next day at the beach we were next to 'JL' & 'M', the night after that we were at the same restaurant, our paths kept crossing.......on their last night they called by and asked us to go to the club house with them. We did......I'm so glad we did! We sang on the karaoke en famille, danced, laughed. At the end of the night 'M' asked to swap contact details. 

I did and thought no more of it.

When we returned home 'M' made contact - she rang, emailed, wrote. I am so glad she was persistent, I have enjoyed the most fantastic friendship I could so easily have missed out on.......

We have holidayed together, our families intertwining as our children have grown. 

We have supported each other with the trials and tribulations of life. 

This evening 'M' arrives with her friend for a short break. I am so excited to see her, share news and visit some new (to her) places. Adventures!

My friend 'J' with 'M' last year at Sacre Coeur.

Anyone reading made friend's when you least expected to?
XX