The Gift of a Day
An excited buzz is in the air! What was originally a small task to help out a darling family member, has gone from a delivery, to a planned picnic and staying by the sea for the day, to taking the caravan for a night; and the last surprise, is that we can turn that into two nights. The commitment we thought we had to be back for on Saturday, has now been postponed. Yay a couple of days coastal – sheer bliss!
Even better when it is the beachside where most of our family holidays were held. Staying at the Surf Club as our bach, my father having the role of cleaning the camp bathrooms and overseeing the surf lifesaving in return for our accommodation, made for wonderful holidays packed with special memories, which forged some lifetime friendships.
Such wonderful memories of the happiest holidays. Brown as berries we were. Permanent daytime clothing, a bikini or for the boys, board shorts! Body surfing, running across the hot sand to the sea. Sometimes so hot, that we would lay our towels down and run to the edge, before picking up and laying down again! Lots of walks from one end of the beach to the other as we hung out with those special friends.
Growing up with parents that loved to be spontaneous about outings, which always included a packed picnic lunch, has brought out in me a resourcefulness and desire to do the same. In the 14 years as a solo mother raising three children, there was not a lot of spare cash, each pay. However, finding joy and delight in the little things was what so helped us get through. It helped make happy memories together. Those dinner picnics in parks and reserves were so special. It doesn’t take much to pull some food from the fridge, pack it up and head for a pretty spot to enjoy the meal, alfresco. It always tastes better outside.
Also, from both my upbringing and living through some tough years, came the fun of turning a task or a circumstance into something special. Just as we are doing tomorrow, making a task into a joyful experience, or when turning an appointment or an errand, into a date. These are the tiny things that make everyday life become special, memorable and even exciting. It is also a wonderful way to make time for the special people in our lives, when life is starting to feel a bit humdrum.
Every day is a gift and for me, an opportunity to enjoy it, to make it memorable, to go to bed each night with a smile on my face, knowing that what was achieved, brought great satisfaction. That can look very different for each of us, but whatever it is, it will be special to you.
So, what do you love doing with the gift of each day? How do you most love to spend your days? What brings you the greatest joy? What tasks this week, can be turned into something special, something memorable, that has you going to sleep with a smile on your face at the joy of it?
