Alex is whistling away in the kitchen as he prepares the
dish he has chosen as his favourite for the day - roast pork and
vegetables. (We each chose a favourite
dish to share for our lunch – mine was grilled haloumi (love it); Ella, a Greek
salad; Melody, a fruit salad and Maddison ate her weight in corn.)
The little girls are playing in the lounge room and Ella has
gone back to sleep, the dawn wake-up for opening presents has taken its effect
on her.
On the table is a cloth we have been decorating with fabric textas – a new Christmas tradition-
and atop are freshly cut flowers and berries from our garden…
In the days that follow we head to the beach, potter
around the garden, play at the creek, we watch Dr Martin, Poh’s Kitchen and
Peppa Pig on iview and I start a new journal by pressing summer blooms between
its pages.
***
I have been thinking a lot about what “simple living” means
to me. Really, I’ve been thinking about
it constantly in one way or another since the night I sat beside Ella as the
ambulance raced us to hospital six months ago.
A lot of thinking about what matters. What really matters in life and
unsurprisingly it has little to do with material wealth and everything to do
with being here with my family.
When we sat down to eat our meal I looked around and saw
that we were all here: all present and accounted for. The best gift ever. It shouldn’t have taken a near-tragedy to open my eyes to what matters – but, I feel that's what it has done.
As 2013 rolls around I have been reflecting on how much we
have been through this year and how we have survived it and pulled closer
because of it. I have never been happier
to see a year end.
I have written a list of goals for the new year; dreams I
would like to bring to fruition, plans to hatch , things to make and do and
achieve… But highest on my list is that I never again be complacent of all the
gifts I already have right in front of me.
If I can achieve that one, simple goal of gratitude, then 2013 will be a
great year.
Wishing you the same – a great year ahead.
x
Megan
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~ The top photo is of the vintage-style herb scissors that Ella gifted me. I love them so much they now appear in my new blog header.
Thats a brilliant wish and I couldn't agree with you more. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cam!
DeleteI love those scissors too. beautiful. and agree, that if we all could look and see the amazing things we already have life would be more simple. i am looking at how to slow our life down this year and spend time doing things with and caring for the people i love. having less yet so much more in the process. Happy 2013 beautiful lady. wishing you nothing but joy. xx ashley
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely Ashley x
DeleteBeautifully said Megan. Simple living is what's important to me too, letting go of those things we don't need and concentrating on strengthening and building relationships.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours :)
x
Thank you Tammi!
DeleteBeautiful words and sentiment Megan. Wishing you a simple year filled with gratitude and love. x t.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tricia xx
DeleteSo very true, and wonderfully expressed x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie xx
ReplyDelete