Del (my cousin) flies back tomorrow and it has been a whirlwind of
meals/hotel and outings. The upside is
a whole range of experiences that I would otherwise have missed. The hotel on Gozo was lovely, not far from the
Azure window and has an amazing Turkish spa.
Marble tiles with basins of hot and cold water and ornate bowls with
which to pour the stuff over you. The
tiles on the huge table and benches/walls are heated. So whether you lie prone or sit leaning
against the walls you are embraced by the wet warmth.
Power showers are everywhere/plunge
pools/swimming pools with massive waterfalls that blast your shoulder muscles
into submission. In the entrance of the
spa are jugs of scented oil with which to anoint hair and skin. Next to the Hamman is a darkened room with
sun lounges/cushions laid out among the candles and low meditative music plays
you lie tranquil surrounded by the novelty of no distractions. Your mind settles like a pool without
occupants. A glass stillness reflecting
your reflections. Del and I lay in total
silence for an hour, well, Del slept actually.
In fact, I have observed Del can fall asleep on a canteen table, on three
seats in the ferry terminal, prone on a sun-baked wall and even on a bench
overlooking the coast. She even fell
asleep ipad crushed between forearms, hands together in supplication. It is a great gift from God to be able to
sleep anywhere!
I look on amazed and
struck by how different we all are. It
is so precious to share time with others as it opens a window to a completely
different world. Most of the time we
have to settle for our own small keyhole on things. I have meaning to write to you for sometime
and then didn’t get round to it. I
need to warm up so as to speak. Get my
writing going again. So forgive my
rustiness.
So satisfying to
have those wonderful drawings of yours pour out and thanks for sharing them with me. I studied them and their names with
interest. When being creative it is hard
to know where the pen will go next but it is delightful to see creation
unfold. It is in that inner absorption
that makes magic appear and you are fortunate indeed to have a magic wand
(pen/pencil) that takes you to such a mysterious place. Opening that door to an inner place in all of
us that we cannot miss out on.
I’d love to see you with your own little art studio room all
set up with implements at the ready and walls covered with your creations. Being able to go to that place whenever the
need/desire came. If I’m honest I’d also
love to see you surrounded with lovely people that bask in your ability to love
and who also radiate that back. Being
able to have those wonderful nurturing conversations that you engender in all
that meet you.
For me having my own children blew my mind and heart. It’s like producing a piece of art that is
better than anything you can devise. A
part of you and the one you love but better than both of you. A masterpiece that changes with each day but
lodges itself deep within your heart.
With each hug and laugh they embed hooks deep within heart muscle making
you melt with joy. I regret many things
I have done. Wish I’d done so many
things differently/wisely/patiently but you three boys have made my life joyous
despite all my stumbling.
Know how much
you bring to my life. How I
hug myself in delight at your happiness and am inconsolable when worries cloud
your day. If I had my way I would have
wrapped you all in cotton wool protected from all harm but what sort of life is
that? No, I must celebrate your freedom,
your independence, your successes and triumphs however hard won.
Choose good people to have around. Such fellowship cleanses the rust from off
our heart and allows us to lower the barriers that are needed to protect us
from others! There are definitely those
that suck us dry emotionally and there are those that we find in their presence
our souls grow. We become people we like
more, not less. Keeping your finger on
that pulse that tells us which direction this person brings to us is
vital. You, who are so intuitive, have a
great advantage. I stumble blind in this
world, not able to distinguish the good from the bad. Only through painful experience does my
antenna get the message, ‘run, run, run like the wind!’ Well, I did warn you that my
writing was rusty so apologies for all this rambling. I hope you can make more sense of it than I
can. Know that it is sent with all my
love and gratitude. Thanks again for all your love and for making this world sweeter!
Lots of love
