July 20/08

Yesterday, my daughter, Christine, along with her son, Sam, (also known as my amazing grandson, Sam) and I, took the day to spend together. We packed up Sam's stroller and all his paraphanalia and toodled along to Victoria.

Sam is a very easy going 15 month old, content to take in all the sights he sees and to practise his "hi's" and "bye bye's" on anyone within range.

We spent part of our day at Beacon Hill park and the petting zoo, stopping at the Beacon Drive-In for lunch and a soft ice-cream cone. We sat on the grass in the warm sunshine with a seagull as company. Sam, being not at all shy, crawled over to some other people who were enjoying their picnic, and made himself at home. It never ceases to warm my heart to watch others respond to babies and little ones, the same way I do...with a smile. Everyone loves a baby. And everyone always softens.

It was the same at the petting zoo with the baby goats. The adults were enjoying them as much and more, than the kids. All the oohhings and aahings and smiles were delightful. The warmth wasn't just coming from the sun.

Isn't that really what it's all about? Just that. The sharing and the warmth and the love. No one in competition, no one arguing, no points to prove, no profits to make, no diiferences to see. Just people enjoying, together. Everyone's heart melted, solely by looking at those wonderful babies.

Till next time,

Does a heart ache?
And can a heart break?
Tell me, what does it take?
Does it ache with a longing, with sadness, with sorrow,
With the weight of the loss and the dread of tomorrow?

Will a heart heal?
Learn again how to feel?
Does time melt its cold seal?
Do the years mend the wounds, make the heaviness, lighter,
Slowly let in the light that makes everything brighter?

Can a heart sing?
And can it take wing?
Tell me, what does it bring?
Does it open to sweet baby sounds and to laughter
Fly to meet love's embrace and its warmth everafter?

Can a heart be whole?
Reign at one, with our soul
Will our minds give control?
Letting go with acceptance, with humble desire,
To arrive and to tend our own purposeful fire?

Ina