Forever Friendships

Andrew James

What is the measure of a person's life? How is someone's entire existence encapsulated, their legacy summed up? It's an impossible task ... the effects of a life stretch far and wide, with ripples seen and unseen, in ways that can sometimes be tangibly recognised and more often amorphously, intrinsically, yet not definably felt. Recently… Continue reading Andrew James

Forever Friendships

Ripple of Kindness

https://7chakrastore.com/blogs/news/the-meaning-and-symbolism-of-lotus-flowerhttps://callmeoil.com/what-is-rose-essential-oil-used-for/ I know I'm overtired when I lose my compassion. I see pictures of pain and agony on the TV, hear the pain of people's anguish through the radio waves ... and sense my invisible internal wall building up to protect me. I can't face the despair of the world because I know I can't… Continue reading Ripple of Kindness

Forever Friendships

Reflective Times

Part 3 of The House Fire Eye - Fire Reflection by Purpl3S0ul on DeviantArt https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/374854368972686898/ At a time of crisis much mental energy can be spent in asking the unanswerable What-ifs ... Following on from the previous two posts, some further reflections about this intense time. OPEN HOUSE INSPECTIONS I have never been in a… Continue reading Reflective Times

Forever Friendships

My Role in the Recovery

Part 2 of The House Fire As noted in last fortnight's post, this post continues the story of the house fire. I've found this experience surprisingly emotional (even though it wasn't my house that burnt down) and acknowledge some of my reactions in this post. HELP ON THE GROUND My first visit to the burnt-out… Continue reading My Role in the Recovery

Forever Friendships

The Crisis

Part 1 of The House Fire Our son's house burnt down. The four occupants (three house-mates and one guest on that particular night) and two cats got out; the house was razed within minutes. We received a phone call mid-morning, our son in shock, standing in the driveway in his dressing gown (faring slightly better… Continue reading The Crisis

Forever Friendships

Oma’s Stones

A collection of polished stones has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Initially it was placed on my grandmother’s sideboard, then - when she downsized into a home - on her TV. Thereafter it graced my parents’ sideboard, until my father’s dementia led him to believe they were edible and my… Continue reading Oma’s Stones

Forever Friendships

The Cafe of Connection

On the last Sunday of every month I find myself heading down to my local repair cafe. It’s part of my regular routine now, but it wasn’t always. The first time I went I wasn’t sure what to expect, even though I’d emailed my queries ahead. I certainly didn’t expect the extent of the warm… Continue reading The Cafe of Connection