A happy place..

I'd have to say that today was a hard one. Going back to Mom's house to pack up her things, whilst her death still seems so ........ SURREAL, was just...well....very necessary, but definitely a lump in the throat kind of day. Surrounded by her incredible collection of books and art supplies, touching her earrings and jewellery, smelling her perfumes, and finding letters, still unsent was ...gulp...very, very hard. I will never forget how, after each and every visit to their "Aya", our children would always return home, without fail, smelling of her perfume, from all the hugging and holding and loving that took place throughout their visit. This evening Sabrina commented on how she could smell her Aya's perfume on the chair she has inherited for her room, which previously had it's place next to Mom's phone......another lump in the throat.

But despite how hard it was, today was also another opportunity to spend more time together as a family, which over the last week, has brought us such comfort, and served as a reminder of how much we enjoy each other's company, sharing, laughing, talking and bonding. Spending 3 nights at our sisters house last week, was like shelter from the rain. This is our children's Disney World, their happy, happy, happy place, which at a time like this, is just exactly where we want them to be.
And speaking of happy places, and our children, one of the happy places in our home, is a space they helped to create, which is often a topic of conversation to those who are visiting for the first time.....I love this space...it's precious to me, this wall.
So I suppose it's no surprise that, after a day like today, I found myself there, adding new additions, and marvelling at the works of art. When the day has been too long, and the heart feels weary, this space always makes me smile, and lifts my spirits .........it really does.

And amidst all this, still maintaining that a charmed life is what I aspire to, so have to share the next principle, as it's been a while....

CHARMED LIFE principle no. 14 - Retire your Too-Too: When you cease limiting your possibilities, you can live so that every day brings gifts as welcome as a check in the mail. If you have a too-too, give it up - statements like "I'm too heavy", "I'm too inexperienced". The only purpose of a too-too is to inflict pain on the possessor.