Looking up........

....at the beautiful clear blue sky yesterday as I walked through my little town, I marvelled at how great it was to be here on this earth. To see such beauty. I've learnt over these past years to stop and see the small things......because they really are rather magical.

I sat out on my back step with a big cup of tea and listened to the birds singing away, hearing the lovely hummmm of the bumble bees coming in and out of their nest beside me. I listened to the sound of the washing machine on in my kitchen. I love the sound of a washing machine, something about it is so soothing and calming. Gentle domesticity. 

I sat and thought it was such a great day to be where I was.

I felt terribly sad later on when I read the post from Stephen Sutton's mum, to say he had passed away in the early hours of the morning. Such a brave young man. What an incredible thing he has done, to raise awareness for helping teenagers with Cancer. I cannot imagine the sadness his family must be going through. Then I felt sad, as I thought that there must be many others who would lose their battle too that day that wouldn't be known. Brave souls too. 

I read the comments that strangers left his family. Compassionate and heart warming. I read comments left by some at knowing the pain of losing their young child to cancer too. I read comments that were also then left to them, by complete strangers. Heartwarming too. I felt comforted yesterday that we are a nation of compassionate people. How wonderful is it to know that? 

Stephen said 'life isn't measured in years, it's measured in achievements'. What a wonderful way to look at it. I felt guilt though yesterday. I felt guilty to be looking up at the clear blue sky and hearing the birds......and just marvelling at how beautiful it all was............it didn't seem fair.

But.........I also felt incredibly grateful to be looking up at the sky and hearing the beautiful call of the birds. I don't want to waste days, i'd really rather like to seize them.

Today, the sun shines again across clear blue skies and the birds are singing their familiar tune. I have a latte in hand and Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (2nd Movement......oh I just love it) on in the background. The washing machine is on again, the doors and windows are open and I am to start baking after school treats for the Bears.

Today is good. Today is great. I feel lucky....and privileged to be here and soak up life. I don't want to take anything for granted.

xxx