A love affair with books...

I love books and I really love to read! One can get lost in a good book and find one’s self and the meaning of life, re-discover who they are and find the dreams they had forgotten. Books can give you knowledge and open you up to a whole different world...

 The greatest tragedy today is that the world is raising children without books! Too many children spend their childhood on computers, in front of TV’s, on electronic games but not enough time in books!  There are audio books and now electronic books available on the market which may go some way towards bringing books ‘back into fashion’. But there is no substitute for the smell of old books, the sound of  the leaves as the rustle and the ability to create dog ears and employ the use of a book-marker.
It is somewhat ironic that the girl who created this amazing book – dress was encouraged to take and literally destroy books in order to create  by her teacher at college.

Whether or not we agree with the principle of destroying books for any reason, this young lady has done an amazing job at creating this really good work of art.The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.  ~James Bryce

A good book should leave you... slightly exhausted at the end.  You live several lives while reading it.  ~William Styron, interview, Writers at Work, 1958

Many people, other than the authors, contribute to the making of a book, from the first person who had the bright idea of alphabetic writing through the inventor of movable type to the lumberjacks who felled the trees that were pulped for its printing.  It is not customary to acknowledge the trees themselves, though their commitment is total.  ~Forsyth and Rada,Machine Learning

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.  ~Paul Sweeney

Books can be dangerous.  The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life."  ~Helen Exley

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face.  It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy.  ~Edward P. Morgan

There is a wonder in reading Braille that the sighted will never know:  to touch words and have them touch you back.  ~Jim Fiebig

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.  ~Francis Bacon

The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one's encounter with it in a book.  ~André Maurois

The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests; just as the charm of music dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

April 23rd

Uncle John is a lovely English Gentleman that has been a dear friend to my family long before I was born! He and his lovely wife took my mum under their wing when she first moved to England to study (when she was not too much younger than I am now; that is early 20's). They were there through most of her major life experiences and a few drama's and were like surrogate parents to her. When they didn't have to, they loved her and now I have the privilege of knowing Uncle John personally and experience that love (unfortunately his lovely wife passed away...).   So anyway Uncle John shares his birthday with a few other people / things and therefore this is a celebration of the date and all that is marked by it as well as the lovely man himself.


On this April 23rd uncle John turned 88! (Two fat ladies in Bingo language! Lol :-) Its not every day you can say you are two fat ladies...Lol!) Anyway At 10am on Friday (April 23rd) Uncle John called me to say he wanted to share his birthday with me (I was asleep at the time!) and boy did he get my attention! I quickly reprimanded him for not telling me sooner to which in true uncle John fashion he said he didn't want to make a fuss! So i made him a card (above) incorporating St. George and William Shakespeare because he mentioned them when he called, and sent it to him. I then jumped out of bed, sorted myself out and went down to Tesco (Sandhurst)to pick up a cake on the way to Uncle John's to surprise him. Whilst at Tesco I met this lovely lady called Sue at the customer services desk and she helped me find a flag and get my face painted! (which i was sure would amuse uncle John!) 

I then went over to Uncle John, cake in tow and he was completely surprised! 

So all in all it was a really great day and Uncle John was so happy ... a truly priceless moment that inspires passion and is what life is all about! :-)


So what else happened on April 23rd?
St. Georges Day

St George is the patron saint of England (Ireland, Wales and Scotland have their own too) and he is celebrated today (April 23rd) because he was thought to have died on this day in 303 AD 

England Day

St. George's Day is also used as a day for the English to celebrate themselves...a kind of non-official  English National Day. England is unusual in that it has no national day, no public holiday to celebrate the nation, therefore the English tend to use this day to fly their flag and celebrate who they are as a people.

  

William Shakespeare's Birthday

SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM (1564—1616), English poet, player and playwright, was baptized in the parish church of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire on the 26th of April. Birth 1564. The exact date of his birth is not known. 18th-century antiquaries, William Oldys and Joseph Greene, gave it as April 23. April 23 was the day of Shakespeare’s death in 1616.

There you go, a great date all round! 

Happy Birthday Uncle John!!!!!

The romance doesn’t have to die…

The romance doesn't have to die…after 31 years of marriage, my Dad and Mum still have an incredibly romantic relationship which is such a great example tome and just lovely to see...

Romance can be defined as; thinking or behaving in a romantic manner. To court or woo someone or to have a love affair with someone... [http://www.answers.com/topic/romance]

Courting (courtship) is the art of try to gain the love or affections of a woman, especially to seek to marry. Or to attempt to gain the favor of by attention or flattery [http://www.answers.com/topic/court]

Wooing is defined as seeking the affection of someone with intent to romance. To seek to achieve; try to gain affections; or to entreat, solicit, or pursue.  To court a woman [http://www.answers.com/topic/woo]

These definitions put butterflies in my stomach at the thought of long walks on the beach, a long stem red rose, a love poem, and a mixed tape of love songs or serenading from a loved one…romance…what a wonderful thought! In my experience of dating and courtship I discovered the importance of romance at the very beginning. The first romantic gesture I received was a lovely lunch, a dozen long stemmed roses and a box of chocolate on Valentine’s Day; poetry, perfume (Montana and Splendor being favorites I still buy and wear today), shopping trips, movies, walks in parks and mixed tapes when I was at school (don’t tell my parents!)

In my adult life, looking back over the years I can identify three particular acts or romantic gestures that brought me to tears and are second to none; the first being a young man serenading me (he sang ‘When a man loves a woman’); the second was receiving poetry…there is nothing like someone sitting down with a pen and paper, in their own handwriting, expressing how much you mean to them…Finally,  receiving a get well pack in the post when I was sick (this contained a hot water bottle, hot chocolate, medicine and a few other bits to cheer me up). I have heard of a girl whose boyfriend took her to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and proposed at the top and there are many more where that came from…Over all the stories I have heard and experienced myself, the very best ones are always the ones that don’t require great expenditure but a great use of heart and imagination and also a test of one’s own limits and stretching one’s abilities…

My parents fly the flag on romance for me…For as long as I can remember, my parents have always made the romance in their marriage a priority and no it was not easy because from the first day they met, they had four children and as they went along my brother and I added to the brood (not quite the environment for romance!). Needless to say my parents had to be creative and make a conscious effort to make time for their love affair with each other…any they did. I remember when I was younger how my dad would take my mum away for their wedding anniversary, her birthday and then she would for his, and vacations too! As a child I did not understand why they would go on holiday without us, even on the occasions when they would only go out for a night (dinner and stay over in a nice hotel). However now I am older and I understand the vital importance of romance in a relationship. I am really grateful to my parents for this powerful example of this key ingredient (romance) in keeping the fire burning in relationships.

Romance is not just the big expressions and vacations and gifts on particular days…no, my parents are both as involved and as committed as each other to keep the romance alive in their relationship. It is in their day to day lives; being considerate of each other, listening to and respecting one another, doing the little things that make the daily challenges of life and work seem less troublesome and more bearable. They support and encourage one another and work together as a team and I think that this is just as if not, more romantic than a getaway to an exotic location.

So romance is not for the rich with disposable incomes but for everyday people who study one another, grow together, learn how the other wants to be loved and make themselves available to love the other in that way… More than any, when it comes to living out your love, this is the greatest expression of romantic love and everything else is just the icing on the cake!

Thirty – one years on at the ‘ripe young age’ of 71, my dad this week planned a romantic getaway for my mum’s birthday (14^th) and kept it a big secret! On Monday she told me that all he said was to take time off work because he was taking her away, and she sounded so excited and giddy not unlike a school girl with a crush, it was lovely to hear and I was so proud yet again at how my dad continues to woo and court my mum after all these years…I am therefore convinced that romance is not just for the pre-marital state of  courtship, but it is something that can be a part of a long lasting and committed marriage relationship if those involved give romance its rightful place in that relationship as my parents do. Furthermore, there is a need for every man to recognise that wooing the heart of a woman is a lifetime activity and not just a phase in the process of courtship; many a young man could learn a thing or two from my dad!

P.S Happy Birthday Mum! x

Strength thy name is Mother

Mum & me at her MBA graduation ceremony 

The modern Mother's Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, often in March or May, as a day to honour mothers and motherhood.


Mother's Day is a day when we pause and remember our mum's and send them cards, flowers, chocolate and other sweet gifts to show them we appreciate them. When I thought about this earlier I considered what my mum has done over the years, being a wife, raising six children, a God fearing woman, an entrepreneur,  professional working full time whilst achieving an MBA & PHD. My mum is amazing, because she does a lot but she always puts my Dad and her children first. 


When I think of my personal relationship with my Mum, I appreciate most how she has always challenged me to be the best version of myself, pushed me beyond the short sighted limitations I set for myself, dreamed big dreams for me and never stopped believing in or praying for me. I must be honest in that I have not always understood my mother; when I was a teenager we were forever at odds because I was head strong and pig headed and wanted to do things my way. I remember the time my Mum grounded me the day before I was to go out with a girlfriend who ended up wrapping her dad's car around a tree and the girl who went in my place was in intensive care for months and it took years from her life... I remember my Mum starting a florist shop and making me run it during my school holidays developing the entrepreneur she could see within me. It was my Mum who thought I could handle Australia on my own at 16 and Mum who sacrificed me going to her father's funeral so I could have a life changing experience that has brought me to the place I am now... I was mad at her through most of that and regrettably showed her such disrespect when I was ready simply because I never took the time to understand her then... 


As I have gotten older and have had a real exposure to different cultures and peoples in a foreign land,  I find myself referring back constantly to my mother, not so much what she said then (because I was too busy rebelling to listen) but to the testimony of her life, the way she lives. Coming home from her high powered job and putting her apron on to cook and feed her husband and family, washing my dad's clothes at the weekend rather than leaving the maid to do it, waking up at 5am to pray for the family and tend to her vegetable garden before preparing for work, making sure that if there was a good bargain going she would grab it and help my Dad keep the fridge and freezer full. She took us as children and dared to dream for better lives for us than we could ever have dreamed for ourselves, beyond our capabilities and limitations and she set the wheels in motion to make it happen (every one of my siblings has a story to tell). 


When I think of how to be a business woman, a wife, a mother, the one to aspire to be is not a person I met along the way or a character in a story or the ideal society portrays; no I choose my Mum every time because she is indeed a real life Proverbs 31 woman and I am indeed blessed as my whole family is to have such an example of strength and beauty amongst us...She is as fierce as a lioness and will defend her family at all cost. She is as gentle as a dove,  gently encouraging us and soothes us. I have so often longed for my Mum during the worst of my sickness this last year, she always had a way with me when I was sick, with her partner in crime (Daddy) they would conspire about ways to make me feel better and take turns to sit with me or pick me up form school...the time I had the mumps comes to mind, a classic example of their team work to get me back on my feet. 


So what is it that makes my imperfect human flawed mother so special and seemingly flawless and incredibly priceless to her family? Its a mother's love, there is nothing quite like it! My Dad shared with me once when my Mum was away on business about how they met and what it was that pulled his heart towards her and i'm sure as its mothers day he wont mind me sharing (thanks Daddy :-) .
Well, the scene is Zambia, about 32years ago my Dad a dashing young lawyer driving home form work to his three children having sadly lost his first wife...He was thinking to himself, how am I going to cope? What happens now? then he sees this vision of loveliness on the road side flagging down a lift and he drives past! But as he looks in his rear view mirror for a second look, he notices her legs and stops! (its fair to say my Dad has great taste and i am pleased to report that I inherited an exact replica of those legs!) Anyway, he reverses and asks where she is going and she says (cant remember where) He offers her a lift but says that he has to drop off some meat to his house so his house help could start cooking dinner for his children. They get to the house and as per normal fashion my older siblings come running out having been playing in the garden, covered in every debris to be found in the brown and muddy outdoors where a group of adventurous children would play. At the site of them my dad gets nervous wondering what my mum was making of his parenting skills with his children in such a state...Having been given the background about his first wife's passing;  my mother's response was to started to shed a few tears as she offered up a whispered prayer for these children who at such a young age had to lose their mum. She then offered to stay for a while and cook for the family (my Dad's house help was a young man so there was room for a ladies touch). It was much later,  having re-arranged a time to give my mum a lift to where she was going that day, did  my dad find out just how big that gesture was. My mum was on the way to pick up her daughter whom she had left with friends for a few days that had turned into a few weeks as she was struggling to find accommodation for them having recently become a single mother. At that moment I believe, my Dad fell in love with my Mum and then embraced my sister and loved her as his own. That very night my sister moved into my Dad's house and three became four as a whirlwind romance and courtship ensued. Soon after their marriage took place,  four became five and two years later I became six...

When I think of the ideal woman I strive to become in  my relationships, in my work ethic, in my faith, I never have to look further than my very own living Proverbs 31 woman, my Mum! Happy mother's day Mummy! 

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.
 ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.
 ¹² She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life.
 ¹³ She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.
 ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.

 ¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.
 ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 ¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.
 ¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.
 ¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

 ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor

       and extends her hands to the needy.
 ²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
 ²² She makes coverings for her bed;
       she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
 ²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
 ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes.
 ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.
 ²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

 ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness.
 ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her:
 ²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."
 ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
 ³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate

Laugh out loud

Laughter...

Wikipedia says that laughter is an audible expression or the appearance of happiness...

Jean Houston says that 'At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.'

Henry Ward Beecher says that 'Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it!'

I am resolved to laugh out loud (and not just type lol) every day! It is indeed the best medicine for every situation, prescribed by the greatest physician and you do really feel better after a good old heart felt, belly twitching, eye watering, floor rolling laugh! :-)

This came to mind this morning when I received rather depressing mail in the post and I found myself at that all too familiar cross roads where the course of your life could be changed instantly forever by the decision you make to either cry (and let depression set in) or laugh (and give your cares to God). I decided that I am going to laugh my way through problems, trials, and sickness and laugh out loud! :-) That is how much power i am going to give to circumstances I cannot control - NONE!

The reality is that we would all be (and some of us secretly are) emotional basket cases if we allowed everything that happens to us and around us determine how we think and feel from day to day! Well I cant stop the mail coming and I cant control other people's actions and choices but I do have control over this one thing; do I laugh or cry through it? I choose the former and you know what? I'm, "taking back what they stole from me!" one outburst of laughter at a time :-)

www.christianaffair.co.uk/sermons/TakingBackWhatTheyStoleFromMe.html

Smile

I got up this morning and I was excited! No I didn't dream I won a million pounds or got the boy, no I just felt God watching over me and encouraging me not to give up or settle! Sounds weird I know but its true, in my heart there's a party going on and Jesus is the host!

So with my new found excitement I made a decision, I am going to do all those things that I used to talk about or dream about but never had the guts or ever thought I had the ability to do! I am going to make a difference! Help people! Lead them to Christ and meet their needs in any way I can! Write! Fulfil my potential to be an artist behind the lens of a camera and more importantly, banish the words 'cant' and 'regret' from my vocabulary!

So my resolve is this; I am going to swap every tear and frown for a smile and approach life with a child like innocence that says,

'ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD'!!!!!!!