Shine A Little Light

It's that time of the week again when it's time to pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was.

As a week that enveloped the festive celebrations of Christmas and flare ups in violence in the Gaza Strip there is a lot to be thankful for.

1. I am grateful that I live in a house, a suburb, a city, a state and a country that is safe - where I do not have to live in constant fear of bombings, military/militia attacks, gun battles, to worry for the safety of myself, my family or friends ....

2. I am grateful that Christmas was a wonderful family event that flowed on into Boxing Day and the days after.

3. I am grateful that I got to meet my niece Kira for the first time and hope to be able to forge a close bond with her over the coming years.

4. I am grateful (for once) that my mental processes for 'come back lines' is slow and I therefore avoided a potential argument/disruption to the family festivities on Christmas Day when my Grandmother baited me for the second time on Christmas Day. And then to have let it go so I could enjoy, instead of simmer, for the rest of the day.

5. I am grateful that I am able to recognise within myself that I am wrong sometimes, that I am an imperfect person at best and that I can shoulder the burden of my trajectories in life for what they are.

6. I am grateful for the fact that my family, both nuclear and extended, accepts me for what I am and who I am, even when I can't accept myself.

7. I am grateful to my Mum for shouting us three lovely nights in a rather swank holiday apartment at Coco Mooloolaba over the Christmas period.

8. I am grateful for the airconditioning engine that seized in our holiday apartment the first night that we were there which has given us the opportunity to go back there for another three nights some time in the near future. And also grateful to Peter at Coco for his efforts to ensure we were comfortable during the balmy days and nights.

9. I am grateful for the wonderful hospitality ofBrigitte and Peter at Lydon Lodge in Maleny where we stayed in the lead up to Christmas and especially for the shine they both took to Mr D. Also for the other guests who were so open and friendly to offers of rum balls and other delights on Christmas Eve and slightly loud boisterous excitement on Christmas morning.

10. I am grateful to have spent time over the Christmas break with all my family - including my now adult cousin who I haven't seen, much less spoken to, since he was a little kid no bigger than Mr D.

11. I am grateful for the calm of the mountains and the soothing essence of the sea.

12. I am grateful to be a wild and impetuous writer who has visitations from her characters at all bizarre moments of the day and night.

13. I am grateful to have a son who hugs and kisses me - who writes "I love Mum" on the fogged up shower panel.

14. I am grateful (though rather sad) that Mr D's hair is gone. No more arguments about hair washing/brushing/combing which have ensued over the past two and a half years.