Quality time

Some things went very well, today. I am grateful to have a gem of a colleague, who swopped a class with me today, to help me out. I'm also relieved that a sticky matter I've been dealing with has just about been resolved. I'll exhale in a few weeks' time. 

I'm happy to have a warm, welcoming house to come home to. Even though there are so many things that need fixing, the most important things are in place. My home is my haven, and I always feel happy to return to it.  Wherever life may take me, I always want my home to feel this way. 

I've raised my children to understand that the things that money can buy can always be bought - when you have the money - but the really important things, like love, patience, and just being there for each other, listening with real interest, and laughing together, are things that no amount of money could ever buy. I'd say those are the most important things in life. You could live in the most beautiful house, with all the fancy furniture and appliances, but that wouldn't guarantee happiness. 

I live in a house with so many broken things, I don't even know where to start fixing or replacing. But we live in peace. We talk, not shout. We listen, not talk over each other's voices. We understand that solo time is important, and we give each other plenty of space to pursue our individual interests. We make time to do things together, but we have a healthy regard for each other's privacy.  

I've always believed that quality time with my children was whenever we were together. In the end, that philosophy got us through many tough years, when we were forced to live together on a part-time basis only. But my kids understood that it was okay to sit in the kitchen and tell me about their day, while I was cooking. We didn't need to contrive quality time. And that's basically my approach to most relationships. Just be real.   

I'm happy to have music in my life. And even though I don't get to perform with the person I most want to, I'm enjoying having a solo restaurant gig - it balances out my life in such a beautiful way. 

Universe - I know you're listening to me. I can feel it. All the signs are there that I'm on the brink of something wonderful. I'll keep sending you messages from my heart every day.