I've started walking most days early in the morning for the last couple of weeks. I feel as if I'm starting the rest of my life this year. My dear mother died when she was only 66, my age now. I have missed her all this time and feel so lucky to have good health.
I don't remember the holiday, only the blue and yellow woolly swimming suit!!(soogy and droopy when wet).
My dear Will is here for a while and we were delighted to hear wonderful news following his recent scan. The oncologist came into the room smiling, Will's brain shows no sign of tumour, just brain.
This was what we hoped for of course and I can't really put into words the feeling of relief after 4 years of worry. All being well the next scan will be in 9 months, so we can all get on with our lives with cancer being in the past. I feel exhausted but at the same time enormous gratitude and admiration for all the dedicated, skilled people who have looked after Will.
Hence the feeling of a new start and the need to mark this year in a big way, I have an idea but I'm not sure that I'm brave enough.....
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Will teaching Barney to use his camera.
I decided not to take my camera on my walks and just to observe. So no photos but many magical moments held in my memory, all with the sound of birdsong and Spring emerging in all it's beauty.
I saw a pair of blackcaps for the first time (identified when I got home); pheasants, partridges and skylarks flying up just in front of me; skylarks singing high above me; the kestrel who was my only companion, on the wire above, just keeping ahead of me and then swooping down a yard or so from me so I could see his glorious colours; the buzzard resting in a tree and effortlessly taking off; a flock of goldfinches on seedheads in a ditch; the red kite; the mistle thrush singing his cheery song, a pair of yellow hammers and all the usual lovely birds. The best moment was a pair of long tailed tits on a branch both with a feather in their beak, busy nest building. This morning was bright and sunny and a welcome change from the blustery, cold wind of recent days. The tight, sticky buds of the horse chestnut were just opening to reveal the wonderful lime green new leaves unfolding and several brimstone butterflies were out and one red admiral. What a beautiful time of the year.
Tomorrow I will be teaching lino cutting at Art Van Go in Knebworth, my first time working there, looking forward to it!
I remember having a rouched blue costume similar to the other ones in the photo.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news and I'm intrigued about your big idea
I hope you have a fabulous day at Art Van Go today. We'll have to coordinate our walks one of these days and you can point out all these birds that I'm so bad at recognising! I have been enjoying their singing though.
ReplyDeleteI can sense your relief at the good news about Will. Enjoy your morning walks, there seem to be so many birds about enjoying the good weather, I'm sure they will inspire some new prints.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news about Will. So pleased for you all Anna. I too am intrigued by your idea and all I can say is 'do it' as it sounds like you want to. Go on, take that step and jump in! Good luck at AVG. You'll be a star, I know it.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear your good news about Will Anna, what a way to go forward into spring. I'd love to be walking each morning, a great start to the day and good for body and soul - but I'd have to get up at 5:30 to fit it all in and then get to work on time - roll on retirement!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I turned 44 thinking about my Dad, who died at that age, and feeling how much more of life there was left to live, life that he hadn't had - I guess you feel the same about your Mum. She has a lovely smile in that picture, and looks very happy to be standing, ankle deep in the surf, with her four little people.
Gosh, those swimming costumes take me back! What a lovely photo. Have enjoyed reading about your mindfulness (which I also try to pursue) and also your beautiful quilting projects. Happy to have found your blog. x
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