tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post5169672962041754254..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Five Things Friday: Recent Happiness Brought to Me By. . . materfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-16804331323253106912016-06-16T15:55:35.472-07:002016-06-16T15:55:35.472-07:00This post is so beautiful, and yes to new friendsh...This post is so beautiful, and yes to new friendships, even though I am only in my 50s. I think it is only as we get older that we really appreciate the necessity of intention, slowing down, letting go, and welcoming in. And congratulations to your daughter and your family.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-80333196101317339332016-06-06T09:15:50.152-07:002016-06-06T09:15:50.152-07:00Thank you so much! It has been nearly five years ...Thank you so much! It has been nearly five years now since he original diagnosis, surgery and treatment. While I did have a very small local recurrence requiring additional treatment a couple of years ago, I am doing great now and trying to continue to remind myself to focus on the things in life that truly matter. Wishing you and yours the very best during this transition. Beth from Oregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14082079654661563349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-86056690809739297602016-06-05T18:12:27.711-07:002016-06-05T18:12:27.711-07:00Wonderful news about your daughter! I can't i...Wonderful news about your daughter! I can't imagine the worry you must have felt. So glad to read you are getting the opportunity to visit with friends before moving. Seems like the older we get the more difficult it is to get together with friends, so many other life demands. Funny, it seems like it should get easier to find time for friends. <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-89560889966692434442016-06-05T09:09:43.193-07:002016-06-05T09:09:43.193-07:00Those are indeed the best words ever! I'm so s...Those are indeed the best words ever! I'm so so glad you have these things to make you happy right now, especially the fifth. Raquelitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13138113830990586689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-10793109150818801182016-06-04T23:01:37.908-07:002016-06-04T23:01:37.908-07:00#5 is the very best news of all! I can imagine the...#5 is the very best news of all! I can imagine the weight that lifted when you received the news!<br />I read number 4 at least three times. Questioning your social value, or your social skills - I could have written that. At this point in my life I have no really close friends, yet I do have friendships. It's not just the lack of energy now that I'm teaching (since that's a recent development), but a combination of having been badly hurt in a friendship that went bad along with the social value aspect that you mentioned. <br />I'm so glad your friends have given you these times before you leave the island.<br /> <br />Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653026442945027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-2160473869491662432016-06-04T17:18:05.478-07:002016-06-04T17:18:05.478-07:00Yahoo! Yes, and a few Huzzahs thrown in. Exuberant...Yahoo! Yes, and a few Huzzahs thrown in. Exuberant is exactly what I've been feeling. Thanks, Charlene.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-5655740264885699672016-06-04T17:17:22.907-07:002016-06-04T17:17:22.907-07:00Thanks, K!Thanks, K!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-71967494822659004862016-06-04T17:17:11.415-07:002016-06-04T17:17:11.415-07:00So much here that I could have (or I wish I could ...So much here that I could have (or I wish I could have!) written. My work was with young adults more than with teens, but the same emotional demands that left little social energy, and what was left I tended to reserve for family. Exciting to have a chance to let that more socially profligate self out of her box again, although I'm still essentially an introvert. But an introvert who wants friends! ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-25276975462697350432016-06-04T17:14:45.183-07:002016-06-04T17:14:45.183-07:00So very true. We sensitive ones pay a price, but w...So very true. We sensitive ones pay a price, but we do get spectacular rewards as well.<br />materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-20133230857790696772016-06-04T17:12:44.407-07:002016-06-04T17:12:44.407-07:00Yes, it will be ghastly, but then it will be over,...Yes, it will be ghastly, but then it will be over, and it's such tangible evidence that moving one foot at a time can actually propel one forward. Thank you!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-88511080898302581322016-06-04T17:11:59.417-07:002016-06-04T17:11:59.417-07:00Ooooh, I fervently hope your feeling manifests in ...Ooooh, I fervently hope your feeling manifests in reality! I do think that as we settle into our new home this fall, I will have a clear shot at all sorts of new adventures, discoveries, daily patterns. A bonus at this age, really!<br />(and thank you so much for the kind words -- moods can be funny, funny things, can't they? Logic doesn't always triumph!)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-9775297115906385392016-06-04T17:09:53.004-07:002016-06-04T17:09:53.004-07:00I love the fragrance of roses as well, although I ...I love the fragrance of roses as well, although I haven't had a rose perfume since an unfortunate Avon allergy in my teens! But I've recently discovered Le Labo's Rose 31, and hinted sufficiently well before my birthday that -- oh, surprise! oh joy! -- I'm happily inhaling its subtle ros-i-ness.. <br />That drink sounds perfect -- jotting down a grocery list.<br />No break this weekend, nor much enjoyment, but it's the final push before the truck gets here, and then a happy collapse is scheduled. . . You enjoy the weekend for me, okay? I'll catch up next one. . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-46495235574213819612016-06-04T17:06:59.380-07:002016-06-04T17:06:59.380-07:00You're very welcome, Beth, and thanks for lett...You're very welcome, Beth, and thanks for letting me know that my writing can make that little difference. It is a wonderful community here, and I feel so pleased to have played a part in pulling it together.<br /><br />I'm sure your own diagnosis must have been very traumatic, but I know that having your daughters declared fine would have brought a loud rejoicing. I have no idea where you are in your own diagnosis/treatment now, but I wish you all the best. Take care.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-23255354272505825202016-06-04T17:04:12.374-07:002016-06-04T17:04:12.374-07:00Thanks so much, Georgia. Those were sweet words sh...Thanks so much, Georgia. Those were sweet words she wrote, and to have you "ditto-ing" them is ever so nice!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-67460918880897257392016-06-04T17:03:20.052-07:002016-06-04T17:03:20.052-07:00I'm so grateful to you for contributing this h...I'm so grateful to you for contributing this hopeful message, Nancy. Wonderful that you could rebuild a strong network of good friends. I'm also grateful for the gentle caution -- It's worth taking to heart, and it enforces my own commitment to be a bit selfish -- again, a case of selfishness that will pay off for my loved ones, as they'll know I'm not completely dependent on them for a social life . . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-28965380135349457872016-06-04T17:00:47.999-07:002016-06-04T17:00:47.999-07:00Damn! Nicest comment ever, from someone I admire m...Damn! Nicest comment ever, from someone I admire muchly, and then I've somehow deleted it and Blogger won't let me have it back. . . Thanks to you two for amplifying the kindness and for at least recording that the nice words were once here. materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-19674501762590135952016-06-04T08:13:31.251-07:002016-06-04T08:13:31.251-07:00Wonderful news about your daughter! Good luck with...Wonderful news about your daughter! Good luck with the movers!Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01024754794516584433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-39580877535333645002016-06-04T06:17:59.538-07:002016-06-04T06:17:59.538-07:00As a fairly new reader of your blog and renewing o...As a fairly new reader of your blog and renewing our friendship of old- 35 years or so-I really enjoy reading your thoughts and others' responses and am comforted to know I am not alone in my thoughts and that others have found creative ways to weather the storms of life. <br /><br />The loom- I had a little wooden one when I was a child- not as fancy as yours and now long lost, but I loved the rhythm of sliding the shuttle through and moving the strings up and down, back and forth. My work never looked like the beautiful fabrics my Aunt Myrtle made and I did not persevere till I became proficient - such an impatient child I was.<br /><br />Friendships are such a rich part of life. I have had many times full of wonderful friendships and have tried to stay in touch with varied success. After my divorce, many friendships changed as I moved from a couple to a single-interesting transition. As retirement age has approached for many, I have had several close friends move away, so our connection is different and more sporadic. The kids are grown and gone along with the many friends that came with their activities. I changed my workplace 5 years ago as I moved to semi-retirement and went from a large collegial workplace to a small agency with more isolated work. Lots of challenges- a bit of a surprise to gradually end up with few close friends in town and most in other places. I have gotten to appreciate my own company and explore building new friendships and treasuring the good fortune of finding them. This weekend I am back in the Kootenays sharing some time with my oldest friends, as far back as preschool, elementary and high school, as I celebrate officially becoming a senior.<br /><br />I am so not a gardener, but this time of year I love walking wee Prim and reveling in all the amazing scents of the early summer flowers. I heard a thing on CBC about how the scents are designed to attract moths, bees, butterflies to promote pollination - so interesting.<br /><br />And the best news of all- a healthy daughter!!! Biggest of sighs of relief and bugle call of joy. So difficult to focus with a worry like that ever present. You have done well to keep planning and creating this move and not being frozen in place.<br /><br />Cheers, JenniferUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16672725172624302454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-29461800150162664312016-06-04T05:50:06.116-07:002016-06-04T05:50:06.116-07:00The best of all possible news, such a vast relief ...The best of all possible news, such a vast relief for all of you.<br /><br />You capture so many dimensions that I had half-forgotten, that farewell flurry of dates with friends. Some of those were hard for me (as I moved farther from them than you are), and I was moved by how many persons, such as former colleagues I hadn't seen in years, wished to see me. Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-80217774783662005482016-06-04T01:06:26.091-07:002016-06-04T01:06:26.091-07:00Such great news about your daughter ... I'd be...Such great news about your daughter ... I'd been wondering how she was but didn't like to ask as it was so personal ... That really is "the icing on the cake" ( hope you understand that comment!) Justifiably, you sound really happy and content and that's so good to hear.<br />I can imagine you ... and you and Nola, having hours of fun with the loom. We have other Brio products, mainly of the train set variety! They're so well made I imagine they'll last forever! :)<br />Take care ...enjoy your last few sleeps. <br />RosieRosiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15718521437964866609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-58410959508131448812016-06-04T00:00:12.916-07:002016-06-04T00:00:12.916-07:00The last news is definitely the best. Nothing els...The last news is definitely the best. Nothing else matters. So happy for you all!<br /><br />It was fascinating reading your last post and seeing the interweaving of then and now.<br /><br />Ah the roses. I am in a struggle with myself not to buy a certain David Austin rose this year because I would have to leave it behind when we move but then again I would get one summer's joy from it...<br /><br />The friendships issue is so interesting. Like you I doubt my social value, but at the same time I have a very low tolerance for seeing people constantly. As a couple we have a small number of good friends, and our best friends tend to be of very long standing and at some distance i.e. in other countries. What does that say about us!? I wonder about the number of friends some people have and how they can physically keep up with seeing them in the way that they do and when does that leave time for just being alone? Perhaps they don't need the latter. <br /><br />As for the loom - I am in awe. As you may know I have no craft skills or inclination, but I do admire craftsmanship in others.<br /><br />Lindahttp://occasionalscotland.blogspot.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-50034093165473791932016-06-03T23:57:02.133-07:002016-06-03T23:57:02.133-07:00What a huge relief to have that worry lifted from ...What a huge relief to have that worry lifted from everyone's shoulders. So happy for you. Everything is coming up roses and we have the same two in our garden! I was smelling them yesterday. Just waiting for the Rosa Mundi to open now. My favourite perfume is Red Roses by Jo Malone. I can't usually smell it after the first spray, but complete strangers often comment on the lovely smell. As for looms, we had the simplest sort, notched cardboard with string and and a lollipop stick shuttle.I'm glad you found a few moments to resurrect your very handsome loom. Thank you for taking the time to comment in the midst of these hectic times. See you on the other side!Lucillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414527658216916537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-43884262846988229222016-06-03T20:34:55.501-07:002016-06-03T20:34:55.501-07:00Frances, I am so happy about your daughter! What w...Frances, I am so happy about your daughter! What wonderful, wonderful news! <br /><br />And the loom is a nice surprise - I imagine you'd at least half forgotten it.<br /><br />I've also wondered about friendships, as a long, difficult marriage is ending (a good thing) and my days as an active mother wind down (a painful loss). I'm surprised that you had these concerns, though, and I'm glad that you've seen the possibilities for reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.<br /><br />Marienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-42705298937857410572016-06-03T18:09:45.744-07:002016-06-03T18:09:45.744-07:00Idem, great news.
I'll go on about the littl...Idem, great news. <br /><br />I'll go on about the little loom, which reminds me a bit of the tiny looms Guatemalan women use, though the traditional ones were probably back looms? Such beautiful things they weave. <br /><br />A third blessing is your terrasse. That will make it far easier to reconcile with a smaller space and less proximity to nature. lagatta à montréalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610410709900333230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-63990017363662203132016-06-03T14:50:37.877-07:002016-06-03T14:50:37.877-07:00Hi Mater, I'm so happy to hear that your daugh...Hi Mater, I'm so happy to hear that your daughter is well; what a heavy burden that was, I'm sure.<br /><br />As you know, I've been an expat for a long, long time - and I'm very diligent about keeping up with friendships after moving on to a new place. Some of these friendships naturally peter out after a while, but I'm proud that there are still a few friends from as far back as 30 and more years ago that I speak with or email at least a few times a year. New friendships haven't been so easy to make, especially since the boys left school, and I also have to deal with the fact that I seem to do most of the heavy lifting in keeping in touch. However, when we do see these friends again - for example, when we go to the UK this September - we always have a place to stay and wonderful day or days of shared laughter and catching up. I'm sure you'll have no trouble in making new friends in the big city, and keeping those friends you are leaving behind. Good luck with the big moving day!Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504513116873595049noreply@blogger.com