Day Seventy Nine - Very Old Memories

Today I'm Grateful for Very Old Memories.

As you might know, I have lost some very dear people recently, and today I was thinking about all of the people I have lost in my lifetime. Not being morbid or anything, just sort of...counting. So I remembered my Auntie Midge (people used to say I looked like her), then there was my Gran (who helped Mum raise me) and then a couple of uncles and a grandfather (none of whom I ever knew), my (then soon to be husband's) mother,  my Mum from cancer, my father-in-law, my step-father, my step-brother,(both of whom I hadn't seen for many years), and now my dear auntie and my Den.

I was thinking of all these people, thinking of the impact they had had in my life, even the ones I didn't know, or the ones I didn't like.  All of these people are connected with me in an intrinsic manner, by being who they were, and doing the things they did, they helped to form me into the person I have become. No I am not 'blaming' them for anything I am, or am not, but merely acknowledging their involvement in my development.

And then I remembered him.

My 'Uncle Jim'.

Uncle Jim was my step-father's brother-in-law. He was married to Auntie Anne, a very large, imposing woman of stern demeanor, but good heart. Uncle Jim was one of those very rare gentle-men. He was kind of small, but solidly built, he always wore a hat when he went outdoors and he loved to cook. He had been a baker in the Navy, many years before and on his decommissioning, he and Auntie Anne moved to the 'butter-box' unit not far from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They called it that because it was a very small unit, rectangular in shape, much like the old fashioned boxes people used to keep their butter in. They never had any children of their own, much to Uncle Jim's disappointment, and I think Auntie Anne's too, because even though she was never demonstrative, she was always kind. When I look back at those days though, when I used to go and stay and I slept on their little two seater couch (well, I was only ten), the thing I remember most of all is Uncle Jim. Every morning, he would get me a bowl of rice bubbles, to which he added sweet stewed rhubarb,( I didn't even know what that was until he gave it to me), and then he would carefully comb my hair, put on his jacket and hat and we would walk slowly down to the park at the harbour where we would feed the birds and just talk. He was never too busy, or bored to talk to a prattling kid, and no question was 'silly'. He would sit and think carefully before explaining it as best as he knew how. He was so patient. He was everything I wished for in a father, and never got in my step-father. (that's a whole other story). I think Uncle Jim knew things weren't right at home, but he never pried, he was always careful not to say anything negative. Like I said, a real gentle-man. In every sense of the word. He even used to pull out the chair for Auntie Anne when she went to sit at the table. All the things some might think are old-fashioned, but in reality, it was just his way of being considerate to others.

Uncle Jim died when I was seventeen.

 There's an old saying, and  I can't even remember how it goes properly, but in essence it says... In the end, it won't matter how intelligent you were, or how successful your career was. It won't matter how big your house was or what type of car you drove. In the end, all that matters is how you made other people feel.

When I think of Uncle Jim, I feel safe, loved, happy. I am so very grateful that he was in my life, even for such a short while, because he was the one who showed me that yes, there are some truly good people out there and that every one of them is like a treasure, if we search long and hard enough, we will find them, and when we do, we will hold them close and keep their memories forever.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Eight - Pretty Things

Today I'm Grateful for Pretty Things.

I can't deny it, I love pretty things. It's as if they can ease our souls just by being beautiful, touching something deep within making us. Somedays, when I am feeling particularly fat and ugly, I like to just sit and  look at the beautiful pieces I have collected over my lifetime. I makes me feel like I have accomplished something, and that by extension I can be prettier, classier. Today was one of those days.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Seven - Legs

Today I'm Grateful for my Legs.

The knees burn and hurt, the thigh muscles spasm, and the ankles crack and creak, but by damn, my legs held me up today so I could make the promised dinner (from yesterday). I even made dessert!

Yay for legs!

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Six - Dinner Cooked for Me

Today I'm Grateful for Having Dinner Cooked for Me.

Usually I am the one to prepare and cook dinner for Hubby, Jam and myself, and sometimes, it gets tiring, even just thinking about what to make. Lately I just haven't cared much one way or another whether I make a meal or not, and with the fall and everything, well, let's just say that dinner has been a somewhat slapdash affair.

To my delight, Hubby cooked last night (Jam did the veg) and they made T-bone steak (well done), with sauteed onions, garlic mashed potato and steamed broccoli. Yummo! Tonight he cooked up bacon and eggs with fried tomatoes. More Yummo...

Have you ever noticed that food always tastes better when someone else cooks it? Mmmm, chocolate for dessert. :)

Thanks honey, I am grateful for the chance to sit and relax and not feel guilty about not making dinner. I think tomorrow I will cook up something nice, maybe my special Baked Pineapple Pork chops with diced baked root vegetables and steamed beans, tomato with lemon sauce. That's one problem out of the way, (figuring out what to have), just hope I can stand up long enough to do it! lol.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Five - iTunes

Today I'm Grateful for iTunes.

I have spent the better part of today playing with iTunes, putting more music onto my ipod. It's a lot of fun and an easy way to keep me off my feet (still laid up).

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Four - Burnt soup

Today I am Grateful for Burnt Soup.

Haha, I made soup today, but burnt the bloody stuff! So uncool. And so unlike me. shhh, stop sniggering.
But I figure that I can probably blitz most of it off and it might salvage the taste of the soup.

A little burnt flavour is better than no soup at all. I like soup.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Three - Motorcycles

Today I'm Grateful for Motorcycles.

Today I'm grateful for something not for myself, but for my dear Hubby. As most of you know, he has had a rough couple of years, and the worst part of it has been the fact that he hasn't been able to ride his motorbike because of his pain levels.

Riding his Harley Davidson was one of the things he loved most in this life. He loves the feeling of freedom, the exhilaration of the wind in his face and the total melding of his soul to the road. I remember one time, he had been away for awhile and the first thing he wanted to do was ride his bike. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he didn't want to be with me, and I was actually quite miffed. Ticked off. Not a happy camper... and then he came home... His face was alive with joy, his eyes twinkled and sparkled like he had just won lotto. And he hugged me, really hugged me, like he was so very happy to see me.

Just like that, it clicked in my head. Riding his bike wasn't just like going to the shops in a car, and the Harley wasn't merely a form of transport for him, but quite clearly it was more like  dare I say "a religious experience". No he doesn't find god on his bike, but to him, it is an escape, his "Happy Place".

I truly love the fact that he has something that makes him so happy. Today he is taking a chance and riding to Kojanup to see his brother for a couple of days. I am so grateful that he is getting to ride and I know he is going to have a great time.

Kisses

Julie