Nor Hidayah

She is now in boarding school, my niece .....the apple of my eye..... the years have slipped on by.....like they usually do ......she is twelve now, on the road to a new discovery, on a journey to her future, a very bright future. She has the smarts and the gentleness of the evening dew. She has a sweet temperament, graceful and full of earnestness. She is always looking to better herself, always challenging herself.

I hope hostel life will be good to her. I have fears of indoctrination in that confine world. I can only pray that she will be guided by a higher authority and that common sense will prevail.

Right now she is happy, all is well in her world. I am happy for her.

Have already written two postcards addressed to her, yes, the "thinking of you cards" have already been selected and will be mailed through out the year.

My little niece, the apple of my eye will be a young lady soon enough and than a woman and I hope someday she will realize how very much she is loved. How her laughter warms my heart.
How I want her to be happy ...... be happy my little one ..... !!!

the swimming cap

Organising my socks and matching up the mismatches ...... funny how you always misplace the one side and now you end up with half a dozen mismatches. What happens to them, I am absolutely sure they all went into the washing machine two by two, each pair an exact match, but, when they get out of the drier, somehow they get lost along the way ...... where are they, all those missing socks ....... !!!!

Now, out of the corner of my eye I see a swimming cap lying there on the floor, it must have fallen off the shelf. I pick it up and a flood of memories is released. The swimming suits have long been given away since they do not fit anymore. Somehow I kept the swimming cap .... my mind returns to the days of swimming lessons by the pool ..... the quiet nights ..... the chit-chats with my friend ...... the chilly breezes late into the night.

We both had different situations and issues than, but together we knew we would weather the storm. She travelled along my journey, this wonderful friend of mine, picking me up when my world crumbled, jostling me along ..... coaching me, helping me, just being by my side when all was chaotic. She has a big heart and loves unconditionally. She has the sweetest smile and the warmest hug.

I would like to think I was there for her in her deepest darkest hour, when insanity was our best friend, the moments when she was in despair ..... I would like to think I travelled together with her on her road ..... just supporting and being there, not necessarily having the words of wisdom to sooth the aching heart.

My friend and I live on different sides of the continent now, but she still remains in my heart, and many times the mind wonders and the heart longs for her presence.

We have lost a dear friend, one who I hardly know, but was there to share a part of our lives. We crossed paths and for a while we were looking out for one another.

I wonder sometimes about the friend we lost. Our friend's life ended abruptly and under such sad circumstances, I pray to God our friend is at rest and at peace.

The swimming cap is safely tucked back on the shelf , a gentle reminder of where I have been, how far I have traveled and the loving heart of a true friend.

I could not part with the swimming cap, nor will I ever forget .......

Another Ushering in of the New Year

Good friends ......champagne popping ..............delirious New Year exchanges .......it's 2011 !!!! yay!

Welcome 2011 ...... !!!!

Today is a new beginning ...... today a new day ..... the start of a New Year .....

The first day of the rest of the Year......we begin today with Mass at St Mary's Mother of the Church parish ..... this day is also dedicated to Mary, Mother of Christ and mother of us all .... a very fitting start to the New Year. We appreciate the life we live, we are thankful for the many blessings we received and we wish all family and friends and all those we meet good tidings on this the beginning of 2011 ......

We look forward to the New Year with eagerness, with thankful hearts, with wonder, with lots of love in our heart to share with those with meet.

We thank God for guiding us though our challenges, we thank God especially for loving us and teaching us daily the true meaning of unconditional love, and yet, we are still learning all those lessons in this our journey. Until we get it right, we still rely on God for good counsel and count our many blessings.

Happy New Year everyone !!! May the peace of Christ remain in your hearts though out the year.............. God bless.