*
*
one is happy
as a result
of one's own efforts ,
once one knows
the neccessary ingredients
of
happyness
simple tastes
a certain degree of courage
self-denial to a point
love of work
and above all
a clear conscience
happiness
is no vague dream
of that I now am certain .
George Sand
*
November 2 was my birthday
and I turned
66
so I am now driving my very own
ROUTE 66.
I cannot help it but it feels very MERRY .
in dutch the word is
VROLIJK .
For many many years I have had the pleasure
of looking forward to my birthdays
as a mother ( with my children)
and as a teacher ( at school )
Both bringing so much more to having a birthday.
I do love the time towards the day .
The little secrets
the rejoicing
and at THE DAY
I love the surprises
the things I did not expect .
Once when I was a kindergartenteacher
my birthday would be on a saterday
no schoolday
the 2 class-mothers
organised that all the parents and their children
send me real old-fashioned MAIL.
so that saterday when the mailman came along
he was really busy putting all the mail
in my mailbox
and I was beyond HAPPY .
Not only for the mail
but the idea
all those people
at home
picking up /making
something specially for me
taking time to put it in the mail
WOW
so much has changed
I now live on my own
and I am retired
How was this birthday going to be ?
well very well
because
finally I have been able to do all the preparations
myself again
after many years with bad hips
and now TWO new ones
and recovering
I did all myself and that was
BY FAR
not as usual as it is for the most of you .
I enjoyed each and everything TO THE MAX
I was happily washing the curtains and hanging them again
I polished the copper at my frontdoor
I even went to one of my favorite stores
the HEMA
to buy new decorations
and
you know
with all the things I was SO AWARE
of how greatful I was
being able to do those things again
by myself .
I decorated myself and I was HAPPY.
why I choose to put the colorful cup
at te top ?
I wish I could have coffee/tea
with you too
because meeting in person
hear a voice
see expressions
is so much more than meeting overhere .
Happy november to all of you
Francis
