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I got thinking about what means so much to me in life, now that I am on my way to 75.
I’ve just finished listening to the loveliest memoir on Audible from Clover Stroud. I admit I had not heard of Clover until Audible promoted her latest book, The Giant On The Skyline…
and I was so absorbed listening, I felt she had written some it based on my life!
If you want to know more about Clover, she is on Substack with a limited connection if you are not a paid subscriber. I am not and I also follow her on Instagram.
In no particular order, here are those I considered with meaning for me…
Four Letter Words I Like!
Life
It’s true. I am alive, grateful to my parents for my life.
And to be continuing my life, after a “small” (ha) bout of cancer.
Love
I do make an intention each day to feel and share love. Of course I love those closest to me who are my family. B is top of that list.
Hope
For me, life is about ‘hope’ and whilst it is hard to find a descriptor via an image, the philosophy behind my cancer care hospital Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is HOPE….was something I felt from my first visit…May 2017 until my final (good news one) in October 2022.
Home
Is a place, a space and a feeling. I stand by that always.
I feel at home with those I love and where I feel most connected.
Here: in North West Sydney, again, after 8 years away, is HOME.
Kiss
I do enjoy the sweet kiss from a person I love. I’m not loving any more that I can no longer feel a kiss…but that’s the price to pay for life, without cancer, in my upper & reconstructed lip!
But this memory from before cancer, with a dear granddaughter who is now 9 is a beauty!
Grow
Lately I’ve been hearing the word ‘growth’ used more in terms of inner changes and learning to be challenged in some ways. I suspect, for me, I did grow as a result of my choice to try out a stay away from home and then learn what were limitations for me for future travel.
This collage shows me, again, how I actually felt inside during those 24 hours. Keeping it ‘real’…oh, another 4 letter word.
Feel
I admit that to feel is to keep it real.
The photo collage above, second from right bottom, shows my true feelings then…about not being able to travel extensively.
Sometimes my feelings can cascade a bit and I may affect those I love BUT a psychologist once told me ‘you feel the feelings’. Trouble is, for me, they can be a bit hard to manage. But I do.
Like
To take a time out a few days a week for my coffee and a treat I can eat. This one was at Manly recently. I always have my little read/write pack with me. It is the most ‘me’ time I have. And my husband B completely understands…
Time
Is a funny thing and a construct I believe, but I am not able to clearly explain what that means so I give an example in this image! A grandson and his grandfather.
Give
I am a giver. OK, I know that most of the time it’s because of my internal make-up and I like to do so. I do become aware though of my inner feelings about doing it too much so that I don’t want anyone to …
Take
…advantage of my generous nature. I am better at recognising when the ‘give and take’ of life become disproportionate!
Hold
It took a series of tweets back in 2018 for my retirement medal (and a farewell morning tea) to enable me to hold my “correctly inscribed” medal…”service to students of N.S.W. 1970-2010” . Here I am with my daughter and the now Secretary for Education in N.S.W. Murat Dizdar.
View
By Sydney Harbour, viewing the water, the surrounds including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are views I never take for granted and always think “wow”.
Cook
I grew up with a Mum who could cook. Over time, I developed my cooking repertoire and I am glad I can sometimes channel Mum over a recipe (ha!). But since having cancer and a limited ability to eat, I became a cupcake “cook” …for sharing with people as gifts of love and appreciation, and now for Happy Birthdays to Grandkids! This one has my mum’s first name as her second name. Will she enjoy cooking too? Time will tell.
Seen
There are times I don’t mind not being seen. As an older woman, often out by myself I get some good opportunities to people watch…and occasionally ‘overhear’. I do keep it to myself of course.
Heal
This word is high up on my list of favourites and for many reasons…but the most important of all is how, love, time and more helped me get over the worst health challenge of all from July 2017.
Thanking my dear husband for this…and of course family, friends and those from my social media world who checked in on me often!
Denyse.
Here I am joining with Min and friends for here Wednesday’s Words and Whimsy today.
Those are some really wonderful 4 letter words! I could think of ways that they each applied to my life too.
Hi Denyse, you've certainly come up with so many positive and uplifting 4 letter words. I love the photo of you with the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind you. It is always a magnificent view. x