I had originally planned to call this post ‘January Joys’. I’ve always tried to keep this blog optimistic in tone, celebrating the beauty on my doorstep and savouring the so called ‘little things’. I was going to talk about finding hope in nature, looking for tiny green shoots in the garden and listening to the never ending birdsong from the huge flock of tiny sparrows that live in our hedge.
But then on Thursday my mum was admitted to hospital and my reliably optimistic and hopeful mood has somewhat changed. Of course, there’s never a good time for a parent to go into hospital, but this is most definitely not a good time. We can’t visit her, hold her hand, tell her everything is going to be ok. Communication is limited to chats on the phone and a daily update from a hospital liaison officer. It’s not Coronavirus related (thank goodness) but as yet the doctors have still to establish what is going on. Hopefully that will be determined in the coming days.
Finding hope after all
After a sleepless night on Thursday, I woke up on Friday to the sound of those sparrows. I got up, made myself a cup of coffee and took a wander around the back garden. I could hear a blackbird sing high up in the neighbour’s tree and I counted the shoots peeping through the soil of the tulip bulbs I bought from Sarah Raven a few months ago. It lifted my spirits a little – knowing that nature’s own cycle carries on regardless, its continuity giving me strength and resilience when I need it most.
Perhaps the snowdrops in flower right now are the best example of this. Pure and fragile and yet strong enough to push through the soil and bloom in the dark days of winter. In many ways, they remind me of my mum. In the Victorian language of flowers too, snowdrop means hope and that’s something we all need right now.
Stay safe out there,
Thanks for stopping by,
Paula
Finding hope in nature
Snowdrops
The snowdrops are lovely. I have some in my garden and each winter the day I first notice them is a sweet surprise. I hope all will be well with your mum soon. 🌷
Snowdrops are so welcome, aren’t they ? Thank you for your kind comments.
Very much so 🌷
Sending lots of prayers for your mom and you, a few hugs too! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🤗
Thank you pals x
Sending love and prayers to your mom. Beautiful photos. It is the little things that bring comfort.
Thank you Lisa x
I hope your mother has a speedy recovery and is back home shortly.
Thank you Paddy…fingers crossed.
Hope you Mum recovers soon Paula. Take care xx
Thank you Heather. Hope all is well with the family x
I’m so sorry to hear this, I hopy your mum recovers soon. Take care. X
Ah…thank you chum. Fingers crossed x
Hi I hope things are improving for your mum and she can be home soon. xxx
Thank you chum…fingers crossed x
It’s so good to see the snowdrops again, isn’t it? Hope your mum’s on the mend and back home soon 🙂
Hello there…yes the snowdrops are very welcome after the year we’ve all had. Thank you for your good wishes. I hope all is well with you and yours x