ABOUT THAT VASE

It was cold again here this morning for the second morning in a row and I was very grateful for my doona, my polar fleece jacket and my ugg boots.  However, as I descended the stairs and rounded the corner into my kitchen and dining room I saw this vase of flowers and was moved.  The flowers remind me of just how beautiful nature can be - the kind side of this 'mother' who has been so angry recently. The magnolia leaves are from my own front garden and I was reminded that soon enough there will be beautiful white, scented flowers too.  And the vase...  that was where real feelings of gratitude kicked in.  This vase was a 'going away gift' from my first workplace girlfriends in 1973.  I remember them so fondly and have recently been reunited with some of them - these amazing women who were the young girls with my young self back in the early '70's - the ones who helped me learn about life and love, caring and sharing and finding a place in this world. Sadly, some of those girls have already left this world and oh how I would love to have seen them one more time.  I always think of  'the girls' when I use this vase but today those thoughts were more poignant - perhaps I am getting old.