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Dear Reader Embracing reality!It’s time for an update of my photo – with a hearty “Thank you” to my granddaughter Ana for her patience and skills in taking this photo! Look out for this image on all my social media and website platforms. It’ll take a while, but will be done before Christmas! A rose by any other name …Would it smell so sweet? I don’t know – the very name conjures up delightful colours and perfumes! And how blessed we are to have them growing in our garden – and along the path to our front door. The name of the first we come to appealed to my sense of humour. Do you know “hokey pokey”? Here in NZ it’s loved mostly because it’s a flavour of ice-cream – vanilla with little bits of honeycomb toffee – a little like butterscotch brittle – in it. And our hokey pokey rose smells as divine as the ice-cream tastes!
And the next in line is Carolyn – delicate pink in colour with a delicate fragrance.
I love roses in every stage of their blossoming cycle. I dry the petals for Suraya and she makes rose water out of them. The perfume lasting long after the flowers are gone. Best of all for me, though, is I see these two standard rose bushes from my office window. We chose standards because they can be enjoyed whether we are inside or out. And while they are in bloom, even inclement weather doesn’t spoil my enjoyment! Who would have thought!My dear friend, Beth, is a busy woman, juggling work, visits to her parents, and caring for her own and their homes. She shared her recent visit with her grandchildren. The depth of her love for them touched my heart. What touched me more was how invigorated and joyful she was feeling after a full on few days. In spite of the stress of her busy schedule, I could tell she was really happy. Her cup was refilled and her energy renewed. My thought when I noticed this was: “Being with the grandkids is like giving yourself a big dose of self-care.” Looking back over the past few weeks, I can make the same observation for myself. One day recently, I walked into the grocery store just as my grandson Ethan was coming out. He had popped in during his lunch hour to get some lunch. We spent just a few minutes catching up yet it was enough to energise me as I whipped through the aisles, arriving at the checkout with a big smile still plastered on my face and in my heart. Self-care to the max! Granddaughter Loki and I spent a few hours together driving to Suraya’s photoshoot venue. (I MIGHT share the photos – me, an underwear model at age 77! REALLY???) Loki is a physically beautiful young woman yet what shone through most for me that day was feeling the depth and strength of her inner beauty as we talked of things in a way we don’t often have the space to. Blessings! This past month we’ve enjoyed the company of grandchildren and their children, always a treat. Atawhai and Payton brought Haven who just turned 2. And Tisa brought Lane who turns 2 next month. Lane’s Aunty Loki came too. Double blessings. Little ones and older ones together! It’s lovely to see the parents interacting with their youngsters. truly a breath of fresh air to my heart and soul. And sometimes, as I did with Loki and Ethan, I get to spend one-on-one time with the grandchildren. Manasseh and I had lunch together at a local cafe, just before he took off for Ethiopia to spend a few months with his parents and sister, Aria. While he was there, another sibling, Isaiah turned up – a surprise for everyone. And oh my goodness! The reaction from his mum, my daughter Rebecca, touched my heart. I knew exactly how she was feeling, the joy and gratitude that comes when you are embracing your dearest souls to you. Priceless. Seeing Isaiah’s reception and knowing his love for his family, reminded me of an unexpected birthday treat I gave him years ago. He was in his early teens and loved football. I took him to see a game – I don’t know who played who, or who won. But I remember watching him watching the game. He was enthralled, and I was enthralled with him. It was a precious outcome – I gave him his ticket – he gave me the joy of being able to share in his joy and excitement. And it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when I visited him on a trip to Australia that I was to experience time alone with him again – a reminder how precious each and every one of my 59 descendants are to me and, whether I get to see them, spend time with them alone or with others, or whether I just see their name on my birthday calendar, my heart fills with joy and gratitude that we are connected. I am blessed to have been chosen to be the one who started it all those years ago by bringing one of their parents (or grandparents or great and 2ndgreat grandparents) into the world. If you haven’t yet read the article I wrote about being a Grandparent that was featured in last month’s edition of The Relatable Voice Magazine, I invite you to check it out: The Relatable Voice Magazine I’m sure by now you know how important family is to me ❤️ ePaanui – the Newsletter of our local LibraryI was nervous to provide an article for our Library’s Newsletter and hesitated about giving you a link. Still, we’re all friends here, and thinking that I can share more with you this way helped me overcome my fears. “Feel the fear and do it anyway!” Dear Shakti Gawain – helped me many, many times over the years since I first read her book! And besides – it’s up to you whether you read it or not, isn’t it? And if I don’t share, you definitely won’t read. 😊 The Hamilton Library ePaanui Newsletter Till next time, may you find joy in all you do. Love My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond: “Write it on my heart that every day is Ralph Waldo Emerson “Remember that sometimes not getting “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them, please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook. FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of |
Roses, Love and Joy, and Self Care surprises
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