One thousand gifts

I follow Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.  In today's post - How Do You Find joy? she shares a DVD series that she has put together to go with the book.  So I took the opportunity to finally purchase the book.  I have been on and off writing my gifts.  Time to make it more.

It starts with this.  The dare to live fully right where you are.  To count gifts.  Not the gifts that you want to receive but those you have already been given.

What a difference a day makes

Sunshine. It does wonders to the soul. 

This may look just like a pile of washing.  But, do you see the sunlight?  It brings new life and joy.  It may seems simple but the act of getting washing out, in and folded and away in the same day is bliss.  It has been so long wet, windy and grey I had almost forgotten what the warmth of those rays can do.

When life gets chaotic and I struggle to find breath for even the basics of life I take hold of what I can control.  Embrace the imperfection and instead do enough to make it better.  There are so many things that I want to improve around our place.  If you check out my pinterest page you will find many beautiful images that I would love to have in my space.  Until then I am content with what I have.  It is not an easy choice.  I am learning to find joy in the scratches and dings and the brokeness by holding on to what has already come to be, through time and hard work and saving for better things.

So yesterday I set about making some changes {sorting again as my darling husband calls it}.  I started with the car.  It is well used and needed a clean.  Heading in to summer calls for beach gear and hats and sunscreen to replace the beanies and jackets of winter.  It was getting into a shambles so I added a bucket for the new found bits and pieces and tidied away the old.
 

Spare clothes bag.  A set for each boy plus spare hats etc 

so we can enjoy wherever we go without fear of getting dirty or wet.
Bucket with sports gear, towels, hats, sunscreen and a picnic rug.

On to the pantry.  If you look closely into the back you will see that my pantry is actually the hot water cupboard. One day I will have a pantry.  Till then I was sick not being able to get at things and everything tipping out so I pulled it out and had a rearrange.

Lying around the kitchen I have had several boxes and bags of goodies - chilles, grapefruit and more.  So I tidied and squeezed and cut.  Now I have bench to work on again and nothing to trip over.

It may seem like a lot but it didn't take too long and everything I used I already had on hand.  When all was done I was even able to bike to the park on the way to kindy for some time with my little helper.

Even better is that today I am having a great day.  The morning get up and off was the best it has been and the cupboard is now full with groceries.  It feels good to be sorted.

A new beginning

It has been sometime since I wrote.  Where have I been? On Sunday September 16th, 2012 my world was changed forever when I got the news that my Dad has passed away suddenly.  It has taken some time to get back to routines and do more than just going through the motions of life.

Yesterday was the first day I have felt the heaviness lift.  I heard this line in a song - Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, and read this post - How to Handle Losses at A Holy Experience.  I choose to praise Him.

Through it all I have learnt much. Even as I write this post I found these posts How to Live the Really Best Bucket List and How to Live, Blog, Write.  I know that I have more to say.  It is just going to take some time.

For now here is the poem that I wrote for Dad.

 

There are not enough words

Or pages I can find

To write a fitting legacy

For you are one of a kind

But the words they start to come

And the memories overflow

The stories keep on coming

From the lives you've touched of those you know

At the place that we call home

Your fingerprints are everywhere

There's not a place I can look

That doesn't radiate your care

You always had the time

No matter how long it would take

You knew what was important in life

It's not things, but the memories you make

You always taught us to be our best

In your quiet way

I'm proud, stand tall, be true, be you

Do what you've set your mind to is what you'd say

The greatest gift a father can give

You proved time and again

Is to love their mother

You were her soulmate and her friend

You are our rock of strength

A solid stone beneath our feet

You gave us roots and wings to fly

And touch the lives of those we meet

You've laid your tools to rest

Hung up your rod and hat

Your hard work is now done

Put your boots down by the mat

The time has come, it is too soon

I still can't believe you're gone

It is good night and not goodbye

In us your legacy lives on

With hugs and kisses I know full well

He's waiting for you there

So into the Father's arms

I dedicate your care

Now to those of you who knew him

There is just one thing I ask of you

The love he shared, please pass it on

One of the greats has gone, but it's time the ripple grew.

Colleen

The last verse of the poem refers to the stones that we used in the service.  When you throw a stone in water the ripples that result radiate outward.  Dad was our rock and in memory we can carry on the love that he shared.  So everyone was invited to take a stone when they came to put a flower on the casket.  The idea was to throw it into water or place it somewhere as a reminder of how Dad touched their lives.

Till next time