Isn't this card just adorable? There is a (large) part of me that would love a life like that in the picture. A spotlessly clean kitchen, children involved in a wholesome activity like baking, pet cat and what looks like a fantastic garden outside in the spring sunshine.
The view of my kitchen table right now would show more piles of junk that I know what to do with (including the contents of a box of tissues which someone helpfully took out of the box to "save time" when she sneezes next), you can't see out to the garden due to the heavy rain and whilst one child is napping sweetly the other is laid on the sofa, still in PJs, watching cartoons as she's ill. The idea of a beautifully ordered life prevented by reality.
The card was a gift from an online friend of mine – someone that I first got to know about 6 or more years ago – and accompanied a small package of goodies that I won on her blog. Now the thing that I love about this particular online friend is that she's a woman who adores the simple life and lives it to the full. She appreciates the pleasures of being able to sit outside on a spring morning with a first cup of Earl Grey and take in the beauty of the new day. She knows that there can be nothing sweeter than watching her children running around in the fresh air and discovering nature for themselves.
There's so much we could, and should, learn from people like her. To realise that possessions and money don't guarantee happiness. To accept that the simple, spontaneous things in life can often give you the most pleasure. I was thrilled to unwrap the package from her and whilst I loved the seeds (including some not in the photograph from her own garden), notebook and notepad, my favourite part actually had to be the handwritten card containing news of her and her children's weekend. The simple act of a handwritten card and the excitement of opening it really did make my day.
Going forward I really want to try to live by her example and appreciate more those simple things which can give so much pleasure. To also get my life in order so that possessions and modern technology don't always take over and prevent time for day-dreaming and appreciating. And, having had so much pleasure form being on the receiving end of a handwritten letter I'll also be looking to make the time to write a few myself.
You know who you are dear friend – thank you x
Such a lovely post and it is true that we are all so guilty of over complicating life and then we wonder why we get so bogged down with everything. I agree that I would love a simpler life but in reality it couldn’t always be like that, so maybe set aside a couple of days a week?
Aw this made me go all goose bumpy! A handwritten card is just the best, isn’t it? I am always vowing to take the time to do this more often – appreciate the simple things, get back to nature, create more time and space. Then the real world kicks and I forget. Thanks for the brief reminder :))
I love the ” tissue” story…made me laugh! Hope LMC is feeling better today.
A lovely post, I adore the picture on the front of the card.