Tuesday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day that was another majestic summers day. By the time we got to the beach around 7:30am, there were already loads of people there. I had a lovely swim and then dried off on the bench before walking home.
We had a restful morning. I took down the bird bottle and emptied out the plain water, replacing it with sugar water. I put it up and then waited. The first bird arrived. He tasted the liquid and was immediately brightened by the exercise. He got stuck in & stayed for a while.
It wasn’t long before the long-tailed youngsters descended in droves.
In the mid-afternoon, we walked to Harbour Bay. It’s such a lovely walk, especially once we got to Glencairn and took the path through the car park.
Then across Glencairn beach…
We did some shopping and then returned. By the time we got back, the bird bottle was empty! I’ve left it that way until tomorrow.
We are creeping towards the new year. 2023 is just a few days away. Today I was reading through Mark Pilgrim’s Instagram feed. He’s a radio presenter who had cancer at a young age. It then went into remission for more than 30 years. In February this year, it returned – stage 4 lung cancer. A horrible diagnosis. He has remained very positive through months of chemo but then his lung collapsed requiring admission to ICU – which turned into a marathon hospital stay – he’s still in hospital and it’s now been almost 2 months. A year ago, it would have been 27 December 2021 and he would have celebrated Christmas and been living and loving his family to the full. In February, his life changed as the cancer returned and his battle began. He has fought bravely, consistently and positively. I hope he is able to get through this and prosper in 2023.
Truth is we don’t know what tomorrow holds, let along next year. Best thing is to enjoy today. Live in the present. I heard a short talk the other day of a strategy to stop thinking of the past (or worrying about the future). The speaker suggested thinking to yourself exactly what you are doing now. eg. I’m sitting at my desk writing on my laptop. Outside the sun is beginning to set. The sky is blue with puffy pink clouds – the sun is shining on them. The sea is still and the mountains in the distance are purple. It’s a calm and relaxing scene. It certainly does bring me to the present & makes me appreciate now. It’s worth trying.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂