Thursday, September 30, 2010

365 Days, Day 115


The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience (Emily Dickinson)

Welcome those big, sticky, complicated problems. In them are your most powerful opportunities (Ralph Marston)

This morning I stood in the shower this morning, the water was streaming down my back and the tears were streaming down my face: this was the last time I would be standing in this shower, the last time I would be in this home…

Letter to the future owners of our house in Estelle Street

Dear new owners,

Welcome to your new home.

You have bought a wonderful home. We built the house when we were newly married: it was very small then, just two bedrooms and not even a garage. As our family grew, we built on. We also built our memories. The house and the garden have taken on character, evolving with our needs and our fantasies. You may come across the unexpected fairy or art work in the garden: treat them as you will, their existence there is not accidental; they were placed with love and good intentions.

Each room in the house has seen a variety of functions, colours and furniture. We have loved living in every room. Some rooms may show some wear-and-tear, but they have all been loved.

Our journey in this house has seen the birth of twin boys and four years later a beautiful little girl. They are all grown up now. The journey has seen various dogs and cats. The first of our departed dogs had a tree planted in his memory: the huge Charlie tree in the peace garden.

This home comes with comes with love and blessings. We hope you have a wonderful journey in our special abode, filled with love and happiness, as ours was.

Enjoy your new home.

With much love

Deidré, Tom, Kyle, Roarke and Ariél

365 Days, Day 114

There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls (Howard Thurman)

One of the greatest sounds of them all - and to me it is a sound - is utter, complete silence (Andre Kostelanetz)

I awoke to the sounds of birds and later pigeons (smidgeons I call them – they are so much smaller than the British pigeons: I fondly refer to these as turkeys) cooing. I have been sleeping with the window open so I could hear the fountain outside the bedroom. I lay awake thinking back on the past 6 weeks.

Thank you to each of you who spent time with me. The time was short together but meaningful. Thank you for the stolen moments and little delicious adventures. I have learned that I need to be stronger, more spiritual, a mother rather than a friend, a keeper of secrets, a lover. I need to express my anger rather than keep it inside. I need to be more humble.

Goodbye my beloved family and friends. Till next time.

I take with me the sounds of Africa, your laughter and kind words. I take with me your love. And that makes me stronger.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

365 Days, Day 113

They swayed about upon a rocking horse, And thought it Pegasus (Keats,John 'Sleep and Poetry')

Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress (Alfred A. Montapert)

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Container has been packed and has started its journey. It was quite an emotional moment when Archie announced that he was about to bolt the door (last door to be closed and first to be opened on the other side). He put the two parts together *drum roll* Wait, he says, we need to make sure that everything is inside [quick scout about ensued]. Everything packed. So bolt clamped into place. And off the container went.

I was not sure at first what the form was: the rocking horse that dad made looked so sweet all wrapped in its brown cardboard and bubble wrap as it was swung up into the container. Kyle and Roarke used to love the rocking horse. Their children will rock upon it and think it Pegasus one day. And though it does not make any physical progress, Pegasus will carry its riders on many imaginary journeys.

Our little sentimental belongings (it seems we have rather a lot of these) are making their epic little journey to a new land…

Monday, September 27, 2010

365 days, Day 112

Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present (Author unknown)

The work of art must seize upon you, wrap you up in itself and carry you away. It is the means by which the artist conveys his passion. It is the current which he puts forth, which sweeps you along in his passion (Pierre-Auguste Renoir)

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it (William Arthur Ward)

Execu-move arrived today to pack up our belongings. The first quote above does not apply to the 6 men who wrapped everything in sight: they were amazing! And the finished items look like an art work of Christo Jeanne-Claude.

My heart and eyes are very close to tears. The physical act of our possessions being wrapped represents 27 years of my life being wrapped. The end of a chapter.

Fond memories.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

365 Days, Day 111


Nothing can bring you peace but yourself (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace (Buddha)

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace (Buddha)

Maybe because right now I am in the midst of chaos and frantic-ness, I hanker for peace and stillness.

I should be making quiet time…

When this week has passed and I have said my farewells, my heart will be sad and still.

365 Days, Day 110

The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there (George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, 1932)

The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses (Hanna Rion)

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful (Abram L. Urban)

Gardens are a form of autobiography (Sydney Eddison, Horticulture magazine, August/September 1993)

This is a little secret part of the garden in Estelle Street; it is outside the studio behind the trees. It looks down on to the gazebo. I am savouring each little part of the garden as I say goodbye to it. I love all the nooks and crannies of this garden. I am harnessing all the memories of this beautiful garden and keeping them in my memory [box].

I remember the first plant I planted was a bougainvillea. I had to use a hammer and chisel to chop away the rock in order to dig a hole for it. That was 27 years ago.

Yesterday when we were sitting outside in the garden, I noticed the “Charlie tree” – it has grown huge. Charlie was the first of our dogs to pass away and we planted a tree in memory of him. We were going to have plaques made with the names of our departed animals… but we never got to do that. They also live in our memories.

Farewell my beautiful garden, I hope my tears will give you a tiny moment of nourishment.

Friday, September 24, 2010

365 Days, Day 109

We're our own dragons as well as our own heroes, and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves (Tom Robbins)

O to be a dragon, a symbol of the power of Heaven - of silkworm size or immense; at times invisible (Marianne Moore, O To Be A Dragon)

Never laugh at live dragons (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit)

Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth... Tame the dragon and the gift is yours (Noela Evans)

In order to face our dragons in life, we have to concede that the dragons exist. Our dragons are often our fears, which seem insurmountable. But if we take the time to introduce ourselves to the dragons, get to know the dragons and tame them, we can overcome our fears. Our dragons exist in the beautiful world of our imagination. If we fear the dragons, they become more powerful and prevent us from defeating them.

Imagine this. Think of a set of stepping stones across the grass, and see yourself walking across them. And now imagine that they are towering pillars of concrete sunk into a deep river bed, with only the top surfaces visible above the rushing water. Think of how that changes your perception of what is dangerous and what is not. Isn't it only just fear that holds you back from crossing the river? The possibility that you may slip and drown?

Remember that your imagination can be your greatest friend or the most deceiving of enemies. And you can learn to overcome your fear of your biggest dragons when you use the power of your imagination to see things in a clear, bright light.

And remember that things are never what they seem to be. You can decide the meaning of any situation in your life. It is your choice. (Neel Raman http://ezinearticles.com/?Facing-Your-Dragons-in-Life&id=458603)

I am going to look at my dragons, and paint pictures of them. I am going to tame them and then feed them. I want to lie down next to my dragons.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

365 Days, Day 108

Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves (Carol Lynn Pearson)

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures (Lao Tzu)

Treasure your relationships, not your possessions (Anthony J. D'Angelo)

I thought the packing was almost done when I came across this art work from years ago, outside the studio. The art work was family-tree inspired: it was a journey, back into my family. Each little bottle represented a part of this journey. It was presented as though my granddaughter (Aerin!!?) was finding the little bottles and the clues to what the art work was about. So it was a good surprise finding it myself, years down the line. I would like to take this art work with me. The research journal to go with this work is already in England.

I think it quite fitting that this family-tree art work should go back to the country of its roots. Not quite sure what I will do with it once I am there…

Symbolically, with this art work, each member of the family is being transported with me. You are all my treasures. I treasure each relationship I have with you, each unique its own way. I transport each of you: with love.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

365 Days, Day 107


The time to relax is when you don't have time for it (Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris)

Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which colour to slide down on the rainbow (Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You)

Some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way (Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You)

Today in the midst of my stressful busy-ness, I had a wonderful, glorious day out. A retreat day. Nicki, Chris and I went out to Margaret Roberts’ Herb Farm in Magaliesberg. We walked the labyrinth, which was the highlight of the morning for me. I left it feeling full of calm and with a sense of one-ness with myself and with Nature. If I had to use one word to describe how I felt after leaving the labyrinth it would be “anticipation”.

The gardens are bountiful, beautiful and scented. One could imagine opening one’s patio door and walking out it such beautiful gardens with a sense of love and delight each day. In my labyrinth walk I acknowledged that I need to do what ever I do with a sense of love. I was reminded of the tuning-in that we did at Findhorn, before embarking on a task.

There is a fairy room at Margaret Roberts’ farm. All the fairies have been created by her and her daughter. They are the most exquisite little creatures; very feminine and beautiful. Very inspiring. I want to surround myself with beauty and whimsy.

At the garden centre at the farm there are herbs for sale. I really wanted some pennywort to take back with me. The lady at the garden centre suggested I wrap a cutting in damp cottonwool and transport it in my bra on the plane! Not sure I want to add discomfort to the already uncomfortable plane journey…I might put some in my suitcase. Also some rose geranium cuttings. I had some rose geranium tea to drink today and it is very good.

I didn't think I had time for a day-off. But I feel better for having this unexpected day-out and quiet-time. Thank you, Nicki for organising it.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

365 Days, Day 106

What is man, when you come to think upon him, but a minutely set, ingenious machine for turning, with infinite artfulness, the red wine of Shiraz into urine? (Isak Dinesen)

We are becoming the servants in thought, as in action, of the machine we have created to serve us (John Kenneth Galbraith)

How would we cope without all the machines with which we surround ourselves? On my computer a huge part of my life is stored. If it blows up (or whatever computers do) I would be quite devastated.

I love my camera, even though I am not technically clued up on how to use it. I am an intuitive photographer rather than a technical one. One should have a combination of intuition and technical-know-how to be really good.

Machines’ aesthetics fascinate me more than their functions.

I think sometimes that I should try going for a whole day without using any machines. But just get up to wondering how I am going to make my porridge without a microwave, dry my hair without a hairdryer, make my coffee… Then I decide it’s bad idea. Yes, machines DO rule my life!

But sometimes I like to return to nature and be quiet and reflective and still. No machines. Just the sounds of nature. But only for a while. Then I need my cup of coffee!

Monday, September 20, 2010

365 Days, Day 105


The magic is inside you. There ain’t no crystal ball (Dolly Parton) [This one is for you, Gill. Harness the magic within, girl!]

Things do not happen. Things are made to happen (John F. Kennedy)

Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen - that stillness becomes a radiance (Morgan Freeman)

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen (Douglas Adams)

Sometimes when we really want something we have to go out and get it. Sometimes things happen to us, which we may not want. What we need to do in this case is take a step back and say, “Why? What lesson can I learn from this?” Not always easy to do, or to understand.

Each of the above quotes seems to take a different stand and they all make sense… I want to be able to visualise where my journey is going. I want to make things happen. As yet I am not sure where I am headed. I come with history and life-experience. I can use these in my journey and I can learn new skills.

I know I have magic within and I am going to make things happen! Watch this space.

365 Days, Day 104

Are you really sure that a floor can't also be a ceiling? (M.C. Escher)

There is an objective reality out there, but we view it through the spectacles of our beliefs, attitudes, and values (David G. Myers, Social Psychology)

There are no facts, only interpretations (Friedrich Nietzsche)

This photograph was part of a solar system mobile that Ariél made for Geography in primary school. It represented Earth with rocks and water. It was a creative take on the project. She did not get very good marks for it: her teacher did not appreciate her interpretative approach. But the mobile has hung in the garden for all these years and has become one with nature.

I have always tried to encourage my children to see the world with an open mind. We do all see the world through our context and history. And we interpret things accordingly. I have encouraged them to ask questions and not always accept everything they hear. Sometimes this has required patience and a sense of humour in thinking about the answers to the question. (On learning about how babies were made and about how God is Jesus’ father and Mary is His mother. One of the twins asked the question: how did the sperm get from God into Mary?)

I have many interesting questions from pupils over the years too. Many have caused mirth. I think I have coped by having a sense of humour. Although being ‘called in’ and investigated because I was seen as a “witch” by some of the students at the school where I do supply teaching, was not humorous. It was most distressing.

Interpretations.

I endeavour to be ever more open and tolerant…

Sunday, September 19, 2010

365 Days, Day 103

Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed (Buddha)

They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon (Edward Lear The Owl and the Pussycat)

Do not put your spoon into the pot which does not boil for you (Romanian Proverb)

I remember on a journey to Durban when I was young, feeling faint. We had stopped for petrol and something to eat. I had a bowl of ice-cream. I was kneeling on the seat holding my spoon about to dig into my ice-cream when I saw stars in front of my face and then… fainted. Into the bowl of ice-cream. I don’t remember what happened to the spoon. Did it fall? Did I keep it clasped in my hand?

I have special spoons that I like to eat with or little ones that I use to stir my coffee. Mom sent me a teaspoon last year for my Birthday, which I always liked at her home. It is a little silver spoon with a black bead at the end of the handle. I like it a lot.

I endeavour to be like a lake rather than a glass of water, and not put my spoon into other people’s pots. I definitely want to eat my food with a runcible spoon.

A runcible spoon is a fictional spoon. The word “runcible” is a nonsense term first used by the poet Edward Lear in the 19th century. Lear used the term runcible spoon first in his poem “The Owl and The Pussycat,” where the two besotted animals dine on mince and slices of quince, eating them with a “runcible spoon.”

To help decide what a runcible spoon truly is, Lear offers an illustration of The Dolumphious Duck, who catches frogs with a runcible spoon. Although the runcible spoon is often defined as a spork in modern language, Lear’s illustration offers us a different look at what a runcible spoon might be. It appears to be a long-handled spoon with a large curved bowl, somewhat resembling a punch bowl spoon or a ladle. Unlike the spork, Lear’s drawing of the runcible spoon does not include tines. (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-runcible-spoon.htm)

The spoons and tip of the fork in the photo: whilst going through mom’s kist recently, I found this little blue case. On opening it found it contains cake forks, teaspoons and a sugar spoon. Mom said I could have it. So it is coming back to England with me. Thank you, Mommy!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

365 Days Day 102

In Greek mythology, Iris is the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods. As the sun unites Earth and heaven, Iris links the gods to humanity. She travels with the speed of wind from one end of the world to the other and into the depths of the sea and the underworld.

Iris is represented either as a rainbow or as a young maiden with wings on her shoulders. As a goddess, Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow and new endeavours.

The word iridescence is derived in part from the name of this goddess.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris)

IRIS was the goddess of the rainbow, the messenger of the Olympian gods. She was often represented as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera. Iris was a goddess of sea and sky - her father Thaumas "the wondrous" was a marine-god, and her mother Elektra "the amber" a cloud-nymph. Her name contains a double meaning, being connected both with iris, "the rainbow," and eiris, "messenger.”

(http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Iris.html)

My Nan was named Iris. The purple variety of the flower always reminds me of her. She was a bright, colourful lady. Her sense of colour in her dress was eclectic. When I was tidying out the study last week, I came across the eulogy I wrote for Nan. Below is the eulogy as I read it:

I want to dedicate my eulogy firstly to Stan (a wonderful and special man) and secondly I dedicate it to my mother, Shirley, because (I know) she is and will be as special a Nan to her grandchildren as our Nan was to us.

A FAREWELL EULOGY TO OUR NAN, IRIS HEYES:

Dear Nan,

You were not just a grandmother:

You were NAN.

You were and always will be,

A very special and wonderful lady.

You were fun and vibrant and colourful

Sometimes childlike: joining us in our games

Always warm and comforting and loving:

You loved and were loved.

You were tolerant and easygoing.

You always had time for us…

You were a friend,

who shared our fears and worries

Who respected and encouraged our dreams.

You always made each of us feel loved and

special.

When your wonderful Harold died,

You found another special man, Stan

To be your husband and friend

And a grandfather to us

Thank you, Nan.

You will always be a part of us,

You will live in our memories

We all love you so very much

Adieu, Nan – until we meet again.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

365 Days, Day 101

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it (Lao Tzu)


The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea (Isak Dinesen)


For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),

It's always our self we find in the sea.

(e.e. cummings)


All of our family are water signs: Tom is Scorpio, I am Pisces, Kyle and Roarke and Ariel are Cancerian. The three water signs are supposedly compatible. I like to think this is why our home has a peaceful energy enveloping it.

My favourite part of the day is my bath-time. Since the twins were babies bath-time has always been my off-duty relax time. In our Roodekrans home we have a beautiful blue bath. As it is part of the en-suite bedroom, sadly I am no longer using it whilst visiting here. But last Thursday when I was traumatised, Sarah ran me a special bath, with candles and music. What a wonderful gesture: thank you Sarah.

Water can be soothing and gentle and restorative. It can also be very destructive. We need to have great respect for life-giving water. We need to be resilient and yielding when it comes to water. If we stand firm and stiff in a current, we will be snapped in twain. But if we bow and move with the current we are more likely to survive.

I am working on my resilience.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

365 Days, Day 100


The mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is in love, laughter, and work (Elbert Hubbard)

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it were not for women, our peckers would rust (Author unknown)

I like the idea of rust: it represents a journey assisted by oxygen and water of metal changing its patina. Many of my art works have utilised rust. I have either waited for the change to place over time. Or I have assisted the rusting process.

I started a project with little rusted tins, but I was led on another journey and did not pursue the little rusty icons. I am packing my remaining tins into boxes for future artworks.

Rust is often seen as a negative quality but I see the beauty in it. The richness of the colour, the texture that forms, the fragility that develops and finally the disintegration of the metal represent a beautiful passage. Somewhat like ourselves who start off pretty, soft and shiny. Over time we are subjected to the weathers of life and physically as well as metaphorically we start take on a new patina, a textured rust.

Celebrate each stage of your rusty journey. Rust has inherent beauty.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

365 Days, Day 99

Grow old with me; the best is yet to be (Robert Browning)

As we grow old, the beauty steals inward (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional (Chili Davis)

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and just not think about your age (Lucille Ball)

Getting old is not easy. I do not intend to do it gracefully. The other day at high tea at the Westcliffe Hotel with the book club girls (I was an honorary guest seeing as I don’t live here anymore), they were discussing how to go grey gracefully. I do not intend doing anything of the sort for ages! I still enjoy having vibrantly bright hair.

Even though I can’t stop the aging process, I still feel young (just get a reality check when I look in the mirror). I don’t do numbers – so I don’t remember how old I am unless pressed (for official reasons) for my age. And then realise: damn, I am old! Part of my problem is that I have never grown up completely. I enjoy being child-like. This is probably the reason why I am thought by some (many actually) to be slightly weird or crazy. Mwahaha! Me crazy! nevaaaaaa!

So time marches on waiting for no-one, just dragging us all along. Some go quietly and gracefully. Me: I am going kicking and screaming disgracefully all the way.

Monday, September 13, 2010

365 Days, Day 98

Our souls sit close and silently within,

And their own webs from their own entrails spin;

And when eyes meet far off, our sense is such,

That, spider-like, we feel the tenderest touch

(John Dryden)

The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web (Pablo Picasso)

Oh what a tangled web we weave,

When first we practice to deceive

(Sir Walter Scott)

The other night as I climbed into bed, I looked up and noticed a large spider on the picture on the wall opposite me. I tried to ignore him but he kept looking at me with his compound eyes and tapping one of his legs at me. So I got up and called to Kyle to help me! He said he couldn’t come right then. I bravely picked the picture from the wall. It didn’t quite work out like that.

The spider zipped out a web strand and quickly lowered himself to the floor, ran over my foot and along the wall to the other side of the room. I may have let out a little squeak… He sat looking at me from the skirting board. I sat on the bed and called to Kyle in a pathetic little voice. He didn’t respond. I tried reading my book whilst ignoring Spinney, but it is quite disconcerting trying to concentrate with that many eyes staring at you. Spinney was also muttering something about being patient and coming across to the bed once I was asleep…

Eventually I switched off the light to go to sleep. Kyle came in a bit later and said, where’s the spider? I flicked on the light and said, yes! He’s here, please take him away. But Spinney had gone. Where was he? He probably did crawl all over my face whilst I was asleep dreaming that I was driving my sports car with the wind whipping my long hair in my face…

365 Days, Day 97

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together (Author unknown)

I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity (Hazel Lee)

At twenty you have many desires which hide the truth, but beyond forty there are only real and fragile truths - your abilities and your failings (Gerard Depardieu)

I guess I am feeling fragile today. There is so much to do, but I feel like retreating into a little ball and hiding…

However, I will not do that. I am making my lists and crossing off things as I go.

No time to be fragile today.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

365 Days, Day 96


There is a positive that lies in the negative of the traumatic experience. When we are triggered and re-experience the trauma; we are given the change to let light into that room and see the experience emotionally and spiritually. As we embrace our trauma, it becomes our medicine---a positive force. 'Making light of the dark' is the binding force that can help empower you. When we understand that, the violence no longer owns us. The traumatic experience is revealed and knowing this you are at peace---the trauma is no longer a threat to your present consciousness (Coral Anika Theill, BONSHEA: Making Light of the Dark)

Her day got worse. As she approached the red traffic light she noticed two figures running across the road. She turned to look at the shouting man on the right. As her head turned towards the deafening explosion in her left eardrum she noticed for a split second in slow motion, the beautiful detonation of diamonds. She became aware of an arm and a body sliding into her car and out again, with her big red handbag which had been on the floor of the passenger seat. The movement was choreographed, smooth and swift. The figure disappeared into the dark bushes. She looked around in a daze thinking the occupants in the car next to her must have noticed; they stared impassively ahead. She realised a few kilometres en route home that she was screaming and screaming and screaming. Calm down! she told herself. She started hyperventilating: someone had violently forced themselves into her car and taken her bag. Shattered glass was falling into car; as she drove she did not know she was covered in pieces of glass.

Before she had begun the journey she had taken her mobile phone from her bag to call her daughter saying she was on her way home. Part of her brain facilitated the drive home: she could not recall driving home. Another part of her brain told her that she must use her mobile phone to call her daughter and ask her to open the gate and come down to the garage. As she pulled into the garage and saw her daughter standing there with concern shading her face, she began to sob. Her daughter helped her out of the car and took over.

* * *

Thank you Ariél for taking control, for being patient and kind; for making all the phone calls (I know how you dislike using the phone); for being there to look after me in my moment of trauma. I have the greatest admiration for you. You my Precious One are an amazing young woman with a very wise soul. I love you, always and forever in this life and the next.

Thank you Nicki for your concern, kindness and love; the practical and sensible way you dealt with things the next morning; for trusting me with your car; for the beautiful BodyTalk session and massage (just what I needed). My friend, my soul mate.

Thank you to all of you for your love and concern. Much love to all of you.