Things That Make Me Smile

Yesterday while I was driving down to pick up my eldest daughter to take her to visit her Nanna who is very close to leaving this earth, my heart was heavy. Along the journey I happened to spy something that always makes me smile and leaves me with a happy heart.

That things was about 30 odd pelicans soaring on the thermals. I love pelicans. Large ungainly birds on land, they are so light and beautiful when airborne. They float on the air, soaring higher and higher in larger and larger circles. So graceful, so majestic, so beautiful. I love pelicans, on land, but especially in the air. I knew that the day would be okay.

That night when driving home I got to experience another thing that makes me feel good - a full moon rising yellow and round. By the time I was nearly home I got to see the start of the partial lunar eclipse. The moon is always soothing to my soul, a full moon even more so.

Simple things, but things that make me smile. I hope you have simple things in your life that sometimes just appear to remind you that it is not always the big things you need to have in your life.

Heaven Sent Indeed

Last night I was privileged to watch Australian Story on ABC 1. I don't always remember to watch the 30 min show, but when I do remember I have never been disappointed. Last night was no exception. If you missed it last night, I urge you to watch the repeat on Saturday at 12.30 pm, or go to the link to download. Hope this link works for you.

Peter is the "harp specialist" - the nickname his daughters used - he plays the harp for terminally ill patients in the hospice and to babies in the Special Care Nursery. He is Australia's only thanatologist.

Peter wanted more from his life than being a successful business owner, he wanted to give back and wasn't sure how, until one day he saw an ad for a course in America. His beautiful wife and daughters helped Peter make it happen.

This is a family of beautiful and generous souls, they inspire me with their love and support for each other.

Watching Peter talk of the journey he is on, made my breath catch in my throat. Here is a man that is so sensitive, so caring, so giving - how wonderful that he is there for many as they pass from this life. I will be honest and tell you I shed a tear while watching him talk.

Whenever a baby is born in the hospital he works in they now play a few notes of Brahms Lullaby - in the future they may also do a similar thing when a person dies. It is a reminder for all the staff and other who know that birth and death are all part of our journey.

Random Acts of Kindness Challenge - Deep Fried Fruit

Like many of us Leanne from Deep Fried Fruit sees RAK as an event that should happen without prompting and without talking (or blogging) about it, as it just is something you do. Love you Leanne - how I wish that was true for all mankind. So pop on over and read this post, you'll be glad you did.

I love that Leanne regularly tops up expired parking meters - while I have only done that on occasion I have whenever possible given my parking ticket (you know the one you leave on your dashboard to show you have paid to park there) to someone else if it has lots of time left on it. I love seeing the surprise on other driver's faces when I offer it to them.

I hope that you feel as inspired by Leanne's post as I do.