Making memories

After 19 wonderful days of having my Mom in our home, we sadly had to say our goodbyes at King Shaka Airport this afternoon.  I shouldn't really say sadly, because although our hearts were heavier than usual, the last thing we did before we turned away from each other, was LAUGH.  Mom and I laugh a lot together, so that was a given!

It has been a wonderful time of real togetherness, where my mother has enjoyed valuable quality time with our our family, and in particular, our children, allowing my DH and I to also steal some awesome one on one time together:-).  SO all in all a happy, memorable holiday - a lovely way to see in the year, remembering how fortunate we are to have the warmth and joy that comes from family, love, sharing, togetherness, laughter, abundance and beautiful memories.  I lit these candles in remembrance of my wonderful grandmother who i adore, love, miss a thousand times a day - our first Christmas without her.  The funny thing about losing a loved one, is that often, remembering them and finding the memories, means that no matter how much you carry them with you in the present, you have to painfully look back all the time, spend time dwelling in the past, "hang in the archives", you can't help but go there, even if it means you have to go against so much of what we are told to avoid.  The upside is that it makes you appreciate those in the present as exactly that...the GIFT they are... 

We now have a few days of family time here at home to pack and prepare, before we head off camping with friends - I'm considering building me an ARK, to replace the caravan, as a result of all the RAIN we're having...just GOING WITH THE FLOW so to speak:-))...