Reflection Monday

My mother and step-father at our wedding, 1996

Monday is always a day I try to spend at home.  Its the day before my regular counselling appointment, and I like to use it to rest intensively, and to take my time to think about where I am, and where I am going.  This week it is especially apt, since I have a tough few days ahead of me. 

I have to go down to visit my very sick Wicked Step Father (he isn't really wicked, he's wonderful, but I've always called him that as a joke), and support my mother.  I haven't been able to see them since October because I have been unable to travel, but via various 'cheats' this week, I will manage it finally.  And its going to be tough. 

But I am formulating a plan.  And my plan is to stop every now and then and be mindful.  Be present.  Let the feelings come up, feel them, and let them go.  Not worry about the next moment, just cope with what I've got in front of me right now.  One thing at a time.  Like eating the elephant, which is one of my favorite metaphors.

Birdie News

Having nearly blown a gasket listening to this morning's edition of Radio 4's excellent comedy, Cabin Pressure (if you haven't heard it, where have you been?  Games of 'Travelling Lemon' will be going on all over the country without you....), I thought I had better get down to updating you on the progress of our precious babies.

Here they are, photo taken Wednesday 29 June, and you can see the quills of their feathers developing.

And here they are today, gazing at me with the impressive malevolence of all chicks everywhere.  How cute is that?