Thursday 15 May 2014

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

19 comments:

  1. If only I could write well, I would have written something similar. We have a family member who is fighting bowel and liver cancer. Far too young, but as I walked back from the school run, I heard the birds, and saw wild flowers. It made me grateful to be able to appreciate these small things. Enjoy your day. x

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  2. Your post gave me goosebumps! I'm far too guilty of frittering my time away and often even wishing time away, when really we should all be making the most of every minute or at least being "mindful" of every moment even if it is just looking at a blue sky and listening to the birds sing...

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  3. Beautifully put, Vanessa - couldn't agree more. I feel so blessed, sitting here in the warmth of the sun, with just birdsong and the occasional car passing. Having spent too much of my life rushing through life, driven (usually by my own unrealistic expectations) I'm finally learning to pace myself, enjoy whatever the day brings, and appreciate what's passing (like having Mum - 90 - living here). I've always been a 'glass half full' person, but am now learning to apply it to chores, too - like 'great to get on top of the washing/ironing' rather than ' crumbs, the grass needs cutting, windows cleaning, etc', the way I used to be. Have a great week, Chris xx

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  4. Beautiful post. Don't feel quilty - Stephen wouldn't want that. Embrace each day and enjoy, savour and appreciate!

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  5. I'm in the U.S., I just read about Stephen a few weeks ago. I went to You Tube to hear a speech he made. I was touched by how giving, and brave he was. I followed him on Facebook. I am only sorry I didn't know him sooner. He touched my very soul. I think he was an outstanding example of how we all should be.
    My husband loves the sound of the washer also. He hears it say different things. Like: Hel...lo, or Hi...there, or Har...ry. I guess he has a vivid imagination . LOL

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  6. Talking as a spouse of a man with cancer, I can only agree, and say : enjoy life... embrace it, every teenie-weenie second of it.. and spend it with the people you love !!

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  7. Such a uplifting post. My day was not starting out so well, but after reading this, it changed my perspective on life and my day. Thank you!

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  8. Beautiful post so true what you say don't waste a second. What did you bake? :*)

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  9. Vanessa, once again your words are so toughing & beautiful. I agree with you it's the little things in a day that make life beautiful. I live with the mindset not every day is great but every day has something beautiful in it.
    Anna x

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  10. It was incredibly sad to hear of his passing. Such a well written post.

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  11. Oh you're right, life is beautiful, so beautiful. We are blessed indeed. Enjoy your weekend Vanessa. CJ xx

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  12. Count your blessings. Always.

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  13. I'm out of words. You put it so well in your words. Lets live for every second, good or bad. You never know when the end is here. Beautifully written Vanessa. Lets run the washing machine and be soothed by the boring everyday noise that makes the comfort of everyday life...
    Xxx
    Annette
    My Rose Valley

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  14. Very well put. Today I went to a funeral and the day has been so beautifully sunny. Its at times like this we realise how very lucky we are. x

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  15. I was so very sorry to hear about Stephen's passing too. But your post is so beautifully written. Blessings and Sunshine, Valerie

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  16. Well said Vanessa and beautifully written.
    The wonderful scent of my entrance door roses reminds me of the beauty of life every day.
    I was terribly sad to hear about Stephen's death but he did so much in his short life..... He truly touched me.
    Seize the day, CARPE DIEM...
    Pati x

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  17. It really is so good to just take time and enjoy the simple moments of nature and sunshine, that is what is important in life. xx

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  18. Life is so short...I agree we should never take it for granted or take for granted all the precious people God has placed in our lives. I'm so thankful we have eternal hope in Jesus, that even after this life is over, we can keep living forever. God bless you!

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  19. I agree wholeheartedly with this post. We are so lucky really. I think Stephen grabbed at the time he had left and just wanted to do something with that time. I also think he was just terribly nice. xxx

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