“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
~ Albert Einstein
Yesterday was wonderful from start to finish. And yet it was also the most ordinary of days. I didn’t win lotto, there was no major excitement, no outstanding achievement. But I DID get to share my day with a gorgeous friend.
What was so special about yesterday? Simply this: we are both alive, and grateful for every breath.
Fourteen years ago my darling friend Carly-Jay Metcalfe had a double lung transplant, so we quietly and happily celebrated her Transplanniversary. We also celebrated my yay-I-can-get-a-stupid-virus-and-my-heart-still-keeps-on-beating physicality.
We sang at the top of our lungs as we drove down the hill from Possum Creek to Byron Bay for breakfast. We savoured our coffees and meals, read papers, discussed news and books and art, and laughed about our appalling efforts at Dr Sketchy’s the night before.
We breathed in Byron’s fresh, salty air and enjoyed the early sunshine. Whales and dolphins danced just offshore. Surfers cut through crystal waves. Children frolicked in the shallows. That’s nothing out of the ordinary around here, but we looked at it all as if it was the first time we were seeing it.
When we got home we did some writing, drank cups of tea, had naps, and wandered around on the farm.
For dinner we listened to music, and feasted on sashimi, beers and green tea, followed by Thai Black Sticky Rice with fat fresh strawberries for dessert.
We sat in front of the fire, patted the dogs, and laughed a lot. There were a few stray tears, but for loved ones we’ve lost, rather than for ourselves.
Yesterday, and I hope for many days to come, we breathed in life.
Life is sweet. And tinged with salt water. ♥
This was the BEST. I love you SEW much!! xoxo
Yes, a perfect day! If my friend, Rita, makes it over in September there shall be many of those perfect days. 🙂
DId you friend make it over, Lea?? ♥♥♥♥
Reblogged this on bruises you can touch and commented:
Last year’s Transplanniversary was *heaven*♥
Simply beautiful – what an incredible day!! Life is magnificent 🙂
Thank you for sharing Nicole!
Reading that reminded me of Lou Armstrongs song “Its a wonderful world”.Bless you both!
Thanks Christine! It really is a wonderful world. As long as I’m breathing and have got a warm cuppa in my hand, life is beautiful ♥
A totally awesome, super-terrific day!
It sure was! 😀 xx
What a beautiful post…and I love the anniversary! Congrats! Love the pics too! This is the perfect reason why I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! Please see my posting! You deserve it! 🙂
http://misifusa.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/sunshine-blogger-award/
Hi Nicole, I’ve just recently joined your blog and I’m enjoying your daily wisdom and reflections. A day with a kindred spirit is truly a slice of heaven isn’t it!?! I hope the sharing time with your dear friend has helped rebuild the physical strength in you both. Blessings Julia
Thank you so much, Julia! Much love to you xoxo
That sounds utterly delightful! I must say, I’m a little envious of your dolphins and whales, not to mention that sticky black rice….I’m so pleased you had such a relaxing and happy day in excellent company, and that you both enjoyed being alive. There’s a lot to be said for it, right enough.
Dear Nicole, Thank you for sharing your sketchy art day with us – I found it interesting and amusing and am sure it did all the participants heaps of good. Your celebration yesterday with your friend, Carly, sounded extra special indeed. I spent my afternoon in Adelaide with a beautiful friend, Jenny Opie, playing bridge – my favourite time for the week. Either side of that was spent with Raymonde 90 yrs in rehab and another friend, Ron, recovering (2 yrs) from a stoke. I am now back home in Victor Harbour, where we also are visited by the southern right(?) whales, none of whom I have spotted yet. I feel so blessed and grateful for my wonderful friends and everything. I feel you are a friend who visits me each day even though I have not met you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to me. Joan xxxx
I couldn’t have asked for a more magical couple of days, and being here with you yesterday, Nic was like fantastic, marvellous, über, super magic!! Talk about gratitude – for everything and everyone in my life ♥
Appreciation is important. I blogged today about a tragedy that happened in our city and just how precious life is. There was a train derailment and two young girls lost their lives. What their families wouldn’t give for them to see the sky.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Life is such a precious and fragile gift.
Bless xoxo
What a wonderful day!
Twas!! 🙂
Nicole, that sounds just heavenly, and it made me smile to read this post – I am so delighted for you and your lovely friend!
I am very far behind in your gratitude posts; it’s been a time of emotional upheaval for me lately (see my latest blog post for details), and I haven’t been able to focus on your wonderful posts. I think the best thing for me is to just carry on with each of them as I’m able, slowly, and not try to “catch up” with the rest of the gang. I’m going to print out the ones I missed – I have them all in a real paper file (lol), which will make it easier right now … so if you don’t see me, I’m following, just at a much slower pace …. thank you for all you do for us, you are so much appreciated! Love and hugs from Julie xoxox
What a truly magnificent day… {{<3}}
<3 !
ah you know what I mean….
I know what you mean – so from my heart to your heart: THANK YOU!!! xxx
Thank you for sharing, Nicole! It’s so easy to forget how much we have to be thankful for. Thanks again for this 🙂
Freaky you! I just sent you an email…
Hope your dissertation is coming along nicely.
I am counting the sleeps til NY!!!!!
Smilin’ head to toe, in and out, up and down and round and round…Yay! for you and Carly celebrating this beautiful life. Something was in the air yesterday…as I sat with a close friend atop Bald Rock soaking in the magnificence, sipping tea (from real china I carried up) I counted my blessings indeed..big sisterly hugs to you sweet ladies…Namaste…XXX
🙂
Hugs and love to you too, Satisha. See you so very soon. Hooray xx
Life is sweet! We are truly blessed! Smiles to you and ms cjm! Sx
Blessings to you too, Sarah 🙂
Every winnie the pooh has their piglet!
LOL – are you my piglet, CJ? Who’da thunk it!!!
Big hugs and love to you, Sarah.
You too, piggeh xx
what a truly beautiful day you shared. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of it, I smiled at the wondrous joy of friendship.
It’s always sweeter to have some-one to share life’s journey with.
Much love to you, Joss xoxo
fantastic xx
Thank you! Yes, it was 😀 xx
after reading this, I did actually take a minute to look to the sky… and smiled 🙂 thanks for sharing a reminder that it’s the simple things that matter the most… loved ones, fresh air, good food (and wine!), laughter, nature…
That makes me so happy to read that, Anita! Bless xx