Food for the Soul

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Yesterday was a day of contrasts.

It was my in-laws’ 56th wedding anniversary and my father-in-law’s birthday.  Of course, we went down to visit but as Ted is under palliative care at home, it wasn’t the celebration that it would normally be.  More a recognition, I guess, of the years that have got both him and Jenny to now.  A hard time for everyone and my thoughts and love are with them, and with my sister-in-law, Wendy who is taking so much of the burden on her shoulders.

From their house, and being a 35oC day, we continued on to the beach for the late afternoon.  Since the diagnosis, I have been to the beach once, which was a couple of days before the first surgery.  And, as a beach girl from way back, I have spent the summer desperately wanting to be there, and resentful of losing the opportunity.  Most of the last 3 1/2 months have been spent being unwell in some way, recovering from being unwell, or preparing to be unwell – and absolutely no swimming allowed.  Those of you who have been following this blog will have noticed a definite negativity colouring recent entries.

Well, yesterday we went to the beach!  We spent hours lounging around in the water (only Semaphore – I’m not up for big waves, yet).  The kids all decided to have fun and be part of it and there’s never any guarantee of that with teens and tweens.  But they knew how important it was to me and rose to the occasion.   It was wonderful.  Even queuing for 30 minutes in the fish shop wasn’t a burden.  We took the food back to the foreshore and ate our fish and chips with the sun low in the sky and finally left after watching the sunset.  One of those simple but perfect family times and a bit of normal after so much that hasn’t been normal.  I’ve known that I’ve been yearning to go to the beach for weeks but I just didn’t realise the restorative effect it would have on me.  I think the bandicoots have left the building for the immediate duration.  I think I have some of my positivity back.

So, I’m sorry if I’ve been bringing people down with my gloomy posts, lately.  Thank you if you’re still putting up with me.  It’s obvious that I need to factor in the occasional time like yesterday.