GOOD MORNING RUBY TUESDAY

Growing old is not a thought I relish as I still feel 18 in my mind, so I have decided not to grow old but to grow "older" and hopefully a little wiser.

Good Tuesday morning to you all - an early post from me this morning after another sleepless night.  Not quite sure about why I can't sleep well any more but I do know that I am a little apprehensive and anxious about Thursday's procedure so am blaming that.   I have, however been able to achieve lots this morning already.

I have changed bed linen, washed that and don the rest of the laundry only to come outside to hang it out and find raindrops falling on my head.  I will hope for clearer skies when I get home from the hospital and blood tests.

I have lots of things on my mind at the moment and am not sure what action to take or not take.   If I do what pleases me I could upset another and add to their distress at this time.  So, I am just marking time and taking things very quietly.

I love Thankful Thursdays and I have decided to have an affirmation of gratitude every day.  I started this on Saturday prompted by a Facebook page

Daily Gratitude Challenge http://www.facebook.com/dailygratitudechallenge

and these are the things I have posted so far.

Saturday

I am grateful for surgeons of great skill who care for me so well.

Saturday (late)

I am grateful for my friends who love and support me.

Sunday

"I am grateful for my family who love me when I am unlovable because that's when I need them most."

Monday

"I am grateful for a warm and comfortable bed where I can lay my weary head."

Tuesday

I am grateful for a velvet night that wraps its arms around me when I cannot sleep.

Now we are up to date on those so far each day will hold my Daily gratitude . The object of this is to develop an attitude of gratitude which I really try to do.

My word of the year is attitude and I am working on that daily.

I have tried all the usual things to get back to sleep and these include

tossing and turning

getting up 

warm shower

warm drink

reading a book

checking email

listening to relaxing music

changing the bed linen

this morning I have given up and staying up because I now have to leave in 3/4 hour - so a nice cup of coffee quietly and then I will be "On the road again."

I have a new mobile phone - and yes this time it is pink - I have waited so long for a pink phone, problem now is to learn to fly it - comes with book of instructions and has a "qwerty" keyboard that will make sending sms messages much easier (when I learn how to do it.)

I am listening to the news on ABC 24 - something I haven't done for a few days because I had found it too distressing with all the sadness and damage to people and this morning there isn't much to encourage me into believing that things are any better.

A friend encouraged me with the comment that "all we can do is pray and give" and that got me back on track.  I was feeling so helpless when in my own hands is the greatest power of all - the power of prayer.

I have been meaning to share an experience I had on St. Patrick's Day when I visited the Podiatrist.  

I met a lovely little girl who was waiting for Daddy to come to collect her and we started a conversation.  She was pure delight - a magical child who is used to talking with people.  She asked if she could come in with me while I had my foot bath - of course she could and we shared lots of things.  About holidays, siblings, books, kindergarten and school on the horizon.  She told me her name was Alana and had brothers Connor and Liam and on St. Patrick's Day I said they are Irish names - to which she replied "My Grandma and Grandpa are Irish and we are going to Ireland to visit soon."  We talked about the Eiffel Tower (picture on her t-shirt) and she is going there too - by lift of course, and going to put her card in Mummy's camera to take photographs.

It was a magic time - a time I shall cherish - the big blue eyes and the smile.  It is lovely to spend time in conversation with children and to see the world through their eyes.

Four years old to me is a great age - still filled with the wonder of the world and yet so aware of many things.

It must have been "chat with children" week because Grace and I had a talk on Saturday and she said I could visit her Grandmother but not her Nana cause "she's dead."   (this is her great grandmother she is talking about) She then turned around with a sad smile and said "She was a nice girl" - misty eyes here.

Children are delightful and in spite of the fact that I have been heard to say:

"I like children, but I couldn't eat a whole one" they bring such special joys to my life and nothing beats a child running into your arms and calling out a welcome - this joy was mine twice at the weekend.

Another special time is to have a child fall asleep in your arms.

I shall be off very soon and will leave you with warm fuzzy feelings about the relationship between adults and children.  Cherish the times you spend with them - store up memories they will serve you well.

Sending love and hugs your way and thank you for visiting and reading "The musings from my Heart."