Uncategorized

Soup

As the temperature changes and jumpers are sought

We get to discover the sale stuff we bought

 Last winter from Next where we queued like grey dominoes

To purchase more clothes, where straight under the bed they go.

See the source image

And finding soft clothes fitting dark cooler days ,

Is akin to the lure of the slow cooker haze.

 And the scent of the fireplace of wood burning smoke ,

Follows fresh pairs of socks when your feet have got soaked

.

See related image detail

In Autumn the promise of capturing friends,

 To nurture hot drinks and then start one again .

  Some bodies do well in the rain and the cold,

 Preferring to ski and go swimming -so bold

,

See the source image

On the beach, are the wild ones, I watch and admire

Whilst swathed in a blanket inside my armchair

For some, it’s a seasonal obstacle course to get through

When everyday life leaves your hands white and blue .

Image result for cold hands

Because your immunity loses all reason

And messes your energy most of the season.

This isn’t a tale about how to get fixed

 If this is reality, you’re expert in this .

See the source image

.

This is a hug for all those who dream

And whilst loving Autumn; still silently scream

 A hug for the days where the damp makes you weep

From moving the route you could do in your sleep.

May be an image of nature

In Summer your joints hurt but pain you just bear

When sun on the skin in the flip-flops you wear

And breezes that brush you like kisses from fairies

Don’t punch like six boxers in pub crawls gone lary.

See the source image

On wet days as two eyes gaze at leads by the door

And despite doggie patience, can’t cross one more paw

You battle the elements for today’s mini drama

Ignoring the pain in invisible armour.

Attempting the route which is suddenly hard

And crying a little while hips feel like shards

Of glass and things spiky : and push their  way in

And you must just make it to put out the bin.

And friends say how are you? And what do you say?

You’re fine on the outside, you say I’m ok

But all that has happened with wind, chill or rain

Has stolen your energy ,swapped it for pain.

See the source image

Immunity plummeting, temperature cool,

You’re a blood boiling, bone aching ,gland swelling fool

 Fit for your duvet and slippers and tea

Not out in the world where the others can see.

See the source image

 Except life can’t give us a six month reprieve

 From autumn and winter and all that she breathes

We battle on each of us: through knowing eyes

 Determined to catch at least one bright sunrise .

May be an image of twilight, sky and nature

We all know someone who can relate

To managing what life has plopped on their plate

But sometimes a gentle reminder or two

Shows us just how to walk in their old winter shoes.

See the source image

Is not such a bad thing For those you hold dear

Who bounce round in summer, but have now disappeared

 Know that seasonal changes, the glory of Fall

Can come with a minefield, not welcomed  by all .

See the source image

Like dormice, exhausted, curled in Autumn dens

 sometimes we exist to let friends down again

There’s is no timetable, days plunge into gloom

 And Covid was quite normal, spending months in your room.

See the source image

 If you know someone precious, and you care they stay yours

Their needs will be be different behind their front door

They might need more sleep at wierd times of the day

Or struggle to move in their usual way.

See the source image

Or feel guilty because they can’t be that friend yesterday

Who left you with this face, gone lifeless and grey

Social media will not show the fog Winter brings

The lonely months of time, before warmth of Spring.

See the source image

 Be kind, patient, knowing, we aren’t all made the same

For we all wish we could leap puddles in the same rain

Tomorrow will be better after rest, Netflix and soup

And soon we will feel human and be back in the loop.

See the source image

A thousand thanks for all the eyes that make my path more clear

 For dancing leaves and Autumn light which decorates my year

Our bodies aren’t so easy to decipher from outside

They don’t have labels telling us the things we often hide.

See the source image

 This season as the lights go down and you chop up for soup

 Extend a hand for quiet ones and keep them in the loop

 For as you’ll know they may not ask for extra love they need

So lay a spoon , a bowl and crust and give their soul a feed.

See the source image

From our hearth to yours, Liz at the Beach Hut xxxxxxx

Uncategorized

Keep watering your garden

 I don’t claim to be an expert in anything but the contents of my own head and an awful lot of creative seeds…

Image result for inside head

Here at the Beach Hut we make a real effort to rise above negativity that can impact day to day, because we are about being bigger than what life throws at us and using our creative superpowers, when our bodies are being temperamental.

Image result for vintage superpowers

Unusually, twice this week, my daughter and I have directly heard some unkind and less than charitable comments regarding our creative hub and our enterprise..

Image result for vintage if you're going to be two faced

Apparently taking photos means you don’t love people, having a colourful life means you are  bonkers, and we are all doomed…Oh dear…… Best put the brushes away then….

Image result for as if

The enormous effort to not only provide a lovely life for a child after a horrendous journey to get there, to co-ordinate a community enterprise, create artwork, maintain a home, nurture animals and cope with disability is pretty flipping challenging .. on a sunny day. But add in any unwanted factor- the cold, pain, new disease, deteriorating movement, and it gets impossible. Sorry- we won’t tolerate nasty little stings.

Image result for wasp
Buzz off

Joy is found more readily and genuinely in the little things if you are limited in your mobility or circumstances. Loving life and each other , and giving back that joy without counting a tally isn’t up for debate. When you really need an adopted family you might be glad you did.

Image result for it takes a village

Creating something new, making your canvas and your garden takes time, trust and patience. And keeping your focus on the magic at the end takes an almighty sense of both self, and belief in something bigger than yourself, (whatever that is for you)  Your process might not make sense to everybody.   It doesn’t have to.

Creating, seeing things grow, making new from old and learning new skills, dress up our failing and tender bodies with layers of brightly coloured jewelled silks and help us float about like the real artists we knew we were all along!! .

Image result for indian silk scarf dance

Many days have tested endurance to the absolute limit. Pushing past fatigue so strong all you want to do is sleep. When you are on the floor with exhaustion and you can’t move your limbs.. well you can at least sit in your hospital bed, plan world domination and doodle.

Your support network might think you are off your rocker but the laughing isn’t at you

Image result for vintage women laughing

Kindness and cruelty to others have one thing in common, both can spread like Summer weeds in the right circumstances and create a huge impact on everything in their path.

Image result for summer weeds

But even a few weeds can be pretty. A garden is always full of all kinds of hidden gems.. a bit like a community. And even the smallest contribution can be worthwhile.The magic is in the mix.

Image result for wildflower garden

If you’re lucky you’ll grow a few extra special orchids..

Image result for vintage friends

Having been quite unwell since November and still having mega hospital appointments, it has been a tough few months, of uncertainty, pain and exhaustion . But, I am still able to do what we do – to create magical community events for charity, build fairy gardens, sing in the choir and push the last strands of energy in my daft body to bring a hilarious splashy inky splatty under the sea art experience to eight year olds in our art club, or support adults with mental health issues because it is brings true joy and because I have helpers. This domino of positivity helps me, all our makers, and the ripple effect of wellbeing for each family that they are encouraged to hold onto. It’s not just glitter.

All of these things experiences are non- profit, and completely possible only with the help of a ton of friends and volunteers. From small people pebble painting, friends offering gardening, and loads of donations of materials and hours of volunteering in the art club. And this month that help is extended to hospital lifts, after school babysitting and offers of putting pets to bed while we go away on a long awaited trip to enjoy some Summer heat. … I have so far this month agreed to two separate charity events, helped at another, handed out fresh chicken eggs to a few neighbours, agreed to a put together a new village help directory and lunched over a meeting of our fabulous upcoming Eyemouth Art Trail .. and fed most of the village in our garden in a Summer Tea party to say thank-you for our first two years here. .

No Bad Witches were allowed in…

Communities need each other. Sharing skills, ideas and being greater than the sum of its parts. Like an aging body, there are still things that each of us can do and swap for another gift we aren’t so good at.

Image result for disabled person help

This may sound very obvious but it is as simple as a practicing saying hello and not expecting to give away a bit of yourself in the process.

Image result for vintage be cheerful

Enabling others to connect with the skills they have, share yours. Be the tribe you want to be in. Give as much as you are able and that you can balance with what you need to thrive.

Image result for vintage women laughing

In contrast, like spreading sunshine, the ancient pastime of muck-spreading still continues in many rural communities, and not just in the fields.

Image result for muck spreading

Thankfully, it is on the wane, as there is too much potential to share and achieve with other like-minded individuals, in person and online- no matter what your interest… Seaside communities have to work together to create strong bones, to hold their bodies together in the long tourist free winters. Many events, groups and activities cross pollinate in a delightful way and supporting each other’s causes can grow friendships, networks and future potential.

If we give people a chance, we can unearth the most unlikely and gorgeous friendships

Image result for unlikely friendships

Us humans are generally all a bit wonky, and for some of us these differences show more than others

Related image

We carry our emotional shopping bag stuffed full of conditioned thoughts, programmed responses to new things, and reasons why connection is BAD We hear familial ancestral voices, backing up these notions, from generations past and accept it as fact. But, unless we challenge these perceptions, nothing will ever change. Allowing ourselves to be kind, allows us to accept it back from others. We can choose to walk away from the undeserved or unprovoked snarl once in a while. Hurt people hurt people. But it is perfectly ok to have a limit . You can’t fix everyone. And as a random cross section of people thrust together into a town or village environment, it would be mad to think you would like everything or everybody. Tolerance and patience are key, keeping your mind free for getting on with better things.

Image result for wonky vegetables
Image result for spread positivity

Be an expert on what you love. Only then can people know what they love you for. Keep the kettle on and don’t set fire to bridges.. limiting the support available if you really need someone is not a great plan.

Image result for health  roulette wheel

Spread sunshine not gossip, Gotta love your neighbour…

There are cracks we can’t fill , but they don’t need to be all we see.

Related image

Let’s take our big stompy wellies on adventures…

Image result for line of muddy wellies

Because you don’t need to tread on someone else’s garden. No matter how full of weeds your own might be

Image result for water your garden

Have a lovely week my friends xx

Image result for play nice

Love Liz x

Uncategorized

Girl Interrupted

I was a little taken aback recently. It was just a few words, but you know how they can be. Little bowling balls aimed in the right direction striking misery into our well crafted lives and crushing our faith and confidence.

Related image

Same things different decade same hope that being would be enough.

Image result for vintage mother and child

Only difference now is, I know it is enough. And always was.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image.jpeg

This is my daughter and our dog . They had just won sixth prize for waggiest tail and smiliest eyes in a country dog show.. ( the dog not the child) They were the happiest creatures in the world and I cried like an idiot seeing them jumping up and down with pleasure..

It was just pure joy.. My pride for her was physical. As lovely as ice cream.

Image result for vintage ice cream

This is her winning entry for the Borders Art Fair, kid’s Art competition. (Bit of a theme here) and same utter pride and pleasure in their success…

Taking pride in anything we have courage to do, should be shouted from the rooftops. Happiness in our achievements can be celebrated in a whisper or a scream but should always feel deserved. When you find it, remember to feel it, snapshot the moment, breathe it in and keep it close. I loved that there was such delight in 6th prize. As they had stood in line patiently waiting for any colour of rosette, watching other dogs take the stage, having any colour at all was perfect. There is plenty of time for being competitive in life. As human beings we spend our lives comparing ourselves. How lovely it was to simply be rewarded for being.

Image result for vintage smiling child

Friends. Use your imagination and energy for one thing and one thing only….. being colourfully creative.. Everything else is a waste of time.

On countless occasions recently I have seen and felt the aftermath of hyped- up imaginations going on overdrive and wreaking needless havoc for non-existent problems and comparing lives, pointlessly. Why is it so hard to believe that there are still people worth believing in? Why do we see a set of beautiful paint colours and insist on meddling it into sludgy brown.

Image result for overactive imagination

Seriously. Are we looking for reasons to prove the world is flat?

Image result for the world is flat

Stop talking about each other and talk to each other. Appreciate that there are things you won’t understand about everyone and that we all have failings but leave theirs alone.  Gaps don’t need filling in every silence.

Image result for walk with me

Our spiralling  thoughts can be our own worst enemy.

Image result for spiralling thoughts

Damaging potentially gorgeous life experiences with questions and doubts.

Image result for person standing on edge of paradise

Especially if they loop into the weave of things which are not of our control. Or things which are none of our business.

Image result for spaghetti loop

Believe that you matter.

This doesn’t mean you don’t care for those that you love and care for. But absorbing the weight of everyone’s problems without first knowing that you are ok, will leave you without a shield and that doesn’t help anyone. Sometimes people aren’t ready to know your stuff without bringing theirs to the table first. You won’t know this until you start talking, so choose your tribe wisely giving yourself permission to edit when people ask how you are. This is another reason for self expression through any activity which gets your fury out.. get digging in earth, get dancing, get making. But don’t get lost in the rejection you get if you don’t get heard. It’s not because you didn’t shout loudly enough. It just fell on deaf ears.

Image result for vintage not listening

Perhaps enabling your troup with a balance of expression, nurturing and inspiration is a good start. when I was told recently that not everyone could be as positive as me, I didn’t get the chance to say this. “Nobody is positive all the time. Pain kinda does that. So does being a mum to an interestingly expressive wonder-child. But we are learning together our route through this chapter. And actually, what we do all have is a choice to go ahead or go under.”

Image result for sinking

And to be able to survive both your own path and help other people, be very careful of judging those who always have your back. You never know when you’ll need each other most.. A good team is crucial. They are sometimes unexpected and wonderful.

Image result for look after your friends

Be the enlightened creative version of you. Float above the dramas created by those on your path, tempting your attention and energy. People may be a bit confused by your apparent refusal to absorb their barbs but.. its a destination choice not your forever home …

Image result for enlightened path

You must consider how best to serve your best self.. your imaginative wonderful creative self. The one that if you were the best parent ever, you would be advising yourself to be. Make stuff. Do stuff, meet up with other people and then scoop up the ones who need your help and find out what you can achieve that you were always told you couldn’t. To help others do the same. Also, in answer to the previous question, I know that positivity is contagious. That every single one of the brilliant people we come into contact with in our classes, are closer to being able to help others, and by knowing that, are stepping out of behavioral patterns tying them to medication or worse. We are building far more than a portfolio.

Image result for vintage happy group

And that gets us all out of bed.

All we ever have is ourselves and our unique gifts.

Image result for vintage gift

Seeing you thrive, develop, be your most colourful self is what your family and circle of friends (should) want for you.

Image result for duck and baby duck

Setting you up for your own adventures…

Image result for flying the nest

It is a joy to get older and wiser, accruing and cementing values and idiosyncrasies If we waste our time picking holes in what other people are doing, saying, thinking, wearing, watching, reading, painting, believing, what are we giving up in return?

The freedom of peaceful non judgemental thoughts?..

Image result for peaceful mind

And the right not to be judged in return.

Image result for cool book covers

Our life is like a story. Each chapter unfolds as we go. Some chapters are harder and longer than others and seem to go on for ever. If we use up our precious reserves of energy by fuelling animosities and looking for reasons why other’s are failing; our focus shifts away from the story we are in.

Related image

And the stories we are telling with our hands, hearts and voices aren’t nearly as much fun as what we could be getting up to..

Image result for vintage friends

I have this weird and indescribable belief that there is a truth, and a reason to do what we do. Nothing to do with religion or karma, but an instinct which is strong enough to keep us safe, fed and moving through each dark passage. It is the picture in our heads we keep safe until we get there. And it works.

Believe you are worth something wonderful, that your burning desire to make and write and grow another world for people to smile at, is why you are here. It isn’t easy for someone unhappy to let you live that life. In the hope that you’ll pop back in your neat little box and cause no embarrassment , they might pick away at you until you stop, or ignore you completely.

Image result for crushing someones dream

Ill health and joint immobility have done their usual over winter, and still we are in limbo with several surgical procedures to come..

Image result for vintage medical

But as we drove away on a recent epic drive, which was both long and painful, surrounded by cushions and in an automatic car.. my awesome daughter reminded me that this wasn’t the moment to simply survive, but to flourish. We channelled a flourish for 600 miles..

Image result for voila

And that’s the thing.. if you’re going to be in pain, better to (where possible) try and distract yourself by not being alone, try and create at least some memories despite what the Gods have shoved in your face… The things we do can be ploughed through , enjoyed or celebrated and rejoiced for the happiness they give us. Life isn’t a list. It’s a chance. People fortunate enough to be on your path, your offspring, your friends.. they are lucky to have you, your crazy colours, your big heart..

and all your creations !!

So me and my dawg and our arthritic paws will carry on being positive . Who knows which one of us will get a waggy tail prize next time .

Image result for vintage woman in dog outfit

Much love my friends,

Happy Easter xxx

L xxxxx

Uncategorized

Chez Nous

 

Once upon a time there was a little girl who dreamed of living in a white cottage by the sea….

Image result for child's house by the sea drawing

(Not in the sea)

Image result for little girl dreaming

It just had to be magical .

Image result for white house holy island

An old boat fashioned into a hut? . A perfect childhood den..

 

So, fast forward forty (odd) .. actually very odd years…but that’s another story…Wigwams in the garden/ hide outs in-between sheds/ childhood bedrooms designed and redesigned for a (usually- bored parent)  /numerous crazy junk-filled student flats/ an escaped marital castle. a temporary refuge and our hug house which help put us back together again…..but still, this little dream of a little blue and white house remained..

Image result for blue kids wigwam

 

My small person and I kept feeding the plan, despite massive hurdles. It had to have no stairs, and be a place of sanctuary . Where flowers grew, and the kettle was on.

 

We imagined…..

A seasidey, comfortable little house where people would feel at home, hydraengas in the garden and shells around the edges, inspired by trips to France and Greece and a love of deep Blue from iconic paintings and seaside holidays, ( So much so that my daughter has blue as her middle name.)

Image result for ultramarine blueI knew all our years of looking would be worth it. The ingredients were coming together  and we had faith in finding our home.  We knew it was here.

A-Spell-For-Making-A-Money-Bottle

 

As you already know, we spent a long time over the last year doing the groundwork, the garden, the inside etc. Finally, this week, we managed to get the walls done and it was like coming home..

…Can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs, and the mess was worth it. !

Image result for spilt paint

We were lucky to have the best village painter and the weather held out so we got the job done in two days. Finally the whole picture came together .

Day one.

 

Day two.

So.. here is our home…Image result for heart

 

And the stripey detail drainpipes..

And the funky tattoo doorstep with the fishermen donated by the other beach hut lady.

And the beach blue windows..

DSC03958

And the additional path colours.. Which will be a lifelong project I think. A bit like the forth road bridge…

DSC04004

And the fab shipwreck wood half gate which will keep our neighbour’s little dog from escaping when we pup sit… ( It is a work in progress as it needed to go up before the rain hit… )… Another masterpiece from my dustbin- cover-upper-erer…

DSC03978

And the beach…( which will be a long term working painting given the temperamental nature of my joints and the weather here!)

DSC04018

That’s Molly giving it the once over… Again, it needs another coat.. not least because of the er.. snow affect my lovely painter accidently added in a mini blizzard. But also it will have more detail in it as time goes by…

Hope you like it. Think my six year old self would be quite pleased, given how many small people have congregated here this Summer!Image result for lifebuoy

I can feel the weather and my body getting less adaptable already, so I am grateful for these last few months of long sunshiney days. If I have had an ounce of energy it has gone into making what we have here, chipping away until each piece is done. It has been done on a shoestring, it hurts, its frustrating, but for now the biggest things are complete. You need the patience of a saint to build something yourself, and the skin of a rhino to throw off your critics….My rhino skills are sadly lacking but the positive comments and new friends made over the fence have more than made up for that.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible xx

Big love, Kettle’s onImage result for vintage kettles on

Love Liz

And six year old Liz xxx

 octobart 032

 

 

 

Uncategorized

A little light on pain

Hello friends..

wp2240202

For anyone you know, care about, or look after with a pain related illness, a widespread arthritic condition, fibromyalgia, M.E. or similar long term “chronic” symptoms.

Most of us would probably agree on one or two things.

5811090fdca4b-full

The term chronic is an unhelpful and misleading phrase, which lumps people together who simply have had an illness a long time. Chronic reads tragic, a bit sad and not quite figured out. The n.h.s, due to its inability to treat the whole person, fragments their parts to far flung departments, the more parts going wrong,  the more departments acquainting themselves with a version of the person they treat for 30 seconds.

Nobody ever seeing the whole picture and joining up the dots.

images (2)

When your body doesn’t work it leaves you frustrated, and struggling to know where you slot into a world you could previously easily move about in.

chronicpain1

You either sink or swim. And frankly some days the tide is against you.

Pain and immobile joints are exhausting. Being tired and feeling like you have flu, without the runny nose is common feeling, some days rendering you unable to lift limbs or keep awake until teatime. You know it will be different tomorrow, and you hold onto a fluttery butterfly of hope that the pain volume will be back down a bit. Those days are the toughest and might make your person sad. It is also really hard to describe the level of intense pain you have, to anyone who hasn’t felt it themselves. Similarly, if you look relatively ok, being believed and understood can be tricky. If your person has mental health or social anxieties as well, they might struggle to articulate the circle of needs they have and how people around them might help.

circle-of-friends-susan-vannelli

Feeling you can’t mange physically can be very isolating. Seldom is there support for the feelings this can create. Whilst we try to create that in a practical way, it is different behind closed doors. Your partner and your children know you so well that they might not notice your day to day changing needs, or have the ability to understand them. Some friends might not see you in six months or a year and can’t be blamed for not knowing your deterioration and escalating needs. Check with your poorly person exactly what they are going through. It is a sure thing they haven’t wanted to bother you with the details.

You can guarantee your person doesn’t tell you a fraction of the times they are in pain. Not even close. So when they do, the Gods just turned the switch to mega-high and now, they need you to listen.

If they have a you to listen/help/share and support, then they are really really lucky.

YsxnZU

It is incredibly hard for your once independent loved one to ask for help. Nobody likes to feel they can’t be superhuman. But being human can sometimes feel like an enormous struggle too. If they ask you to help it might have taken a lot of biting back of their dignity and sense of self. Be kind and don’t stick an arrow over their heads reminding them of what a big favour you’re doing.

38472807-vintage-inscription-made-by-old-typewriter-please-help-me-

Please don’t make your person feel guilty if they can’t make an arrangement, climb a hill, drive to a venue, stay awake past eight pm, or in my case sometimes even get from my car to the school door. Some days our bodies are letting us down badly, and to feel we somehow let down other people because of it, is a load too heavy to carry. ( Especially on crutches!)

3d91fc9ae8813219202cdad49781190e

Hands, hips, knees, spine.. Every day can be a lottery, especially when it gets cold and damp. I am time limited with painting, to the sunny days and months.

Pain

If your loved one uses a wheelchair, it can be a whole other set of issues. Being looked down on can feel like you are being ignored or bypassed when decisions are made. In crowds it is really hard to be pushed slowly like you have lost your va-va-voom and watch life zoom past you. Be aware of your friend or partner if they sometimes need help to get around, it can make them feel less than the person they used to be and humiliated to ask for support.

Image result for using wheelchair

Having to ask repeatedly for help is really tough. You kind of need someone to know, and not to dramatise it. If you can help someone, just be a subtle superhero.

padre-e-hijo-que-juegan-al-super-héroe-en-el-tiempo-del-día-93023696

Without good support, I have seen people stop asking for help, creep slowly into their shells and stay there. In winter, when pain gets worse and bodies play hard ball, this can lead to people becoming terribly isolated and introverted. Then depression hits and you know how hard this can then be, impacting on health even more.

Image result for hiding

If the person has a carer, especially if it is a younger person, they are connected in a way you might find hard to understand. Little things are big things to a person who can’t bend/walk/stand for long/use their grip or put their own shoes on. Quite rightly that carer needs support and their own space, but your friend will have a gap in their abilities to achieve certain things that they are used to getting help with, if that carer is away for a while. It might take much longer for example to get dressed, get the pets walked and fed or clean their shared home. The carer too has massively mixed feelings about their charge. Whilst carers can get a break, the guilt/co-dependence and shared care people have in their micro universe is tricky to unpick.Image result for carer

Your friend will simply be grateful you still see them as them, without the chipped away bits, the essence of who they were before disease or illness struck.

images

For someone in pain, everyday activities they used to take for granted are like mountains and therefore it is incredibly important to respect how they still keep themselves tidy/organised and want to do normal stuff. And achieve their creativity or work.

i-see-you-see-me

For example. It will be painful and arduous to Hoover carpets, get to the back of a bath or under toilets, under kids beds to clean out the mouldy plates. It will be very hard to carry laundry, sometimes carrying food to dinner tables, making beds or doing up buttons and opening jars. Any help is good help, as long as the assistant doesn’t make their mate feel guilty or that they need to ask. My best friend just grabs things off me and organises my fridge. Another put my entire post barbecue leftovers in Tupperware, housed all the cushions in the bunker, folded the chairs and stashed the wine bottles in the recycling. All tasks which would have taken the most part of a day to unpick.. She did it in twenty minutes whilst ordering me to drink tea.

chashka-chaynik-chay-karty-trava

Your person is probably over compensating in some ways, because they can’t do other things. Let them. It’s their way. And their gift. Sometimes they might not say the thing they wanted to, or ‘be’ the person they hoped they would be that day. All a person in pain and illness wants, is to be treated with respect and to be quietly supported. If and when they can show their love back, it is almost certainly with utter gratitude and a deep deep relief that they have you in their life.

Image result for giving a present painting

To my friends now and in the future, thank you. I am very lucky to have you, and (most days!) my small person is my absolute rock. Creating an environment which welcomes folk in need of a bit colourful distraction is the start of our journey.  I wanted to share this as I am in the position of both being and supporting disability in different ways. In the act of helping in whatever way we can helps us too, and makes us choose gratitude over giving in.

jacqui-birthday-2018-047.jpg

See you soon. Look after yourself and each other xxx

Liz

Image result for heart