my daily pix #27

[forestdale]

I took this photo yesterday after I'd finished making these two hearts for my friends Kathleen and Susan. They are made of felt and stuffed with padding and lavendar and they smell divine. I boosted the smell along with some essential oil.

Can you see little paper scrolls tucked inside the hearts? I printed out this poem called Warning by Jenny Joseph:

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
~~~

The three of us love this poem, it sums up our philosophy to life - that you make up for the "sobriety of youth" by doing whatever you like as you age.

I really love my friends. I have three women who are like my sisters and who I know would do almost anything for me. I've know these women for more than 20 years and in all of that time we have all worked on building the friendship. That's what friendship takes - hard work. It's sometimes difficult and inconvenient being a good friend, it means putting your own needs and desires aside sometimes. It means giving and being kind and understanding; it means celebrating their joys even if you're tired and want to go to bed. But in the end it all comes back to you and you know you got a wonderful friend that enriches your life. And what's life without friends? This village is a testament to them.

[guest2]

What a lovely gift! I'm sure they will treasure it.

[kimmee]

You are such a good person - your posts always warm my heart- you said something in your post about happiness - that you have learned to see that there is a basic goodness in everyone - this is something I wholeheartedly embrace - I was just telling Aimee yesterday that if you look around you - truly take the time to - no person is ugly , they all look beautiful in their own way. I know that sounds gay but when I realized that - for me - it was revelational. Thank you for your posts, Bethany!!

[Katybird]

Those are precious! What a thoughtful gift, I am sure your friends will love them.

[QuilterMom]

Fabulous gift! Love it!

[forestdale]

Kim, it is wonderful when you realise something that surprises you. I believe everyone is beautiful in some way, I believe everyone has a unique story - but I didn't really know that to my core until I was less self-absorbed than I used to be. For me, that came with age too.

Some people look at aging as something they want to avoid, but for me it's been a real eye-opener. It's allowed me to be less hard on myself (I'll probably explain that further in another post) and it's allowed me to relaxed and just enjoy being alive.

You are teaching Aimee to be a good person. She might not realise that yet, but when she matures, she'll know who she learnt her values from. You're a good mum, Kim, I can see that in your posts. I know that's a tough job - it's the most difficult job I've ever done - but when your kids have grown, I hope you're able to look at them with pride and know you've done the best job you could.

And I love reading your posts too. Keep them coming.

[DaisyLady]

Bethany what a wonderful idea to give to your friends that way. That is something that I truly need to work on. My mom used to say that if you want to have good friends then you need to be a good friend.

[Julia Kimber]

I think those are lovely Bethany, so clever and thoughtful of you.
Lavender is one of my favourite perfumes.
Julia

[Goodwin17]

What beautiful gifts Bethany! It is so wonderful that you've had those friends for so long. Friendship is such a beautiful thing, and I can tell you are an excellent friend!

[Darlene]

"But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple."

Oh to be so loved....Have fun, living, laughing & loving it up Bethany!