Inspiration

Today I received very good news from a dear friend in Cape Town. I share her happiness to be part of a development programme that will give her the chance to celebrate her gifts of love, compassion, perserverence and the list is much longer... Congratulations! It will also call on her to give time and energy without pay and that is such an inspiration to me! I am humbled. Once more a reminder that nagging about the smallest discomforts should be thrown out the window!

More good news! The sun is shining and even though it is -7 degrees C. daylight hours are getting longer and there is a different energy in the air. I go in search of writing about sunshine, but instead I find this piece about rain. I'll have to find a moment to create something about sunshine.

RAIN

Have you ever
Had the pleasure
Of playing in the rain
Barefoot
With the mud
Squishing between your toes
Running the risk
Of getting a hiding
Since you are still
Nursing a cold
From the last
“Playing in the rain”
Episode

Can you imagine?
The wind in your hair
On that sailing boat
As it sets off
In the gutter
A popsicle stick
Anything that will float
Transporting me away
Swift like my feet
Running up and down
Despite the cold rain
Playing
An easy children’s game

Do you recall
That mad dash
To beat the instant downpour
When you accidentally slipped
Stepping in that puddle
Plonked on the ground
Not a dry spot
On your body found
The precious belongings soaked
Against the elements
We have no reproach
Next time please don’t forget
Your umbrella and coat

With peals of laughter
I can remember
Getting dressed
To play in the rain
A well planned escape
From being cooped up
No space to play
Despite the cold
We snuck out
Never a thought
To the risks it brought
Playing in the rain
Was the best
When we were lucky
Not to get caught

By Simone Naik, 22 January 2007

In the meantime this can be an interpretation of sunshine...

Shared Laughs

Shared laughs
Are blessings we can cherish
Feeling burdened
Can quickly fade
Sometimes completely perish
When working too hard gets us under
We are well bade
To set some
“Me time” asunder

Shared laughs
I bring with relish
Giving a little bit of how I survive and operate
Through tough days
Filled with people acting garish
Knowing that you laugh with me
Sets me free
From those who easily frown and berate
You are always welcome to celebrate
It is a permanent
Giggling fulfilled date

SBN, 8 October 2008.