“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
~ William Martin, The Parent’s Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents
Yesterday was the beginning of a long round of medical appointments for me.
After a discouraging doctor’s visit filled with news I would have preferred not to hear, my darling husband took me to Yum Cha – one of my favourite cheer-me-up places.
It’s also a place where no-one cares if you spill food everywhere and generally make a mess. A handy thing when you can’t see well.
But the highlight of the meal was not the food. It was the way that Ben took my hand and without saying anything was able to give me comfort and reassurance just through his touch.
After a fortifying meal and good tea, a few laughs and that deep sense of support, I was able to face the world again.
That’s what love looks like.
Ordinary wonderful magic.
How blessed I am to have someone to love me and to hold my hand through life’s ups and downs.
Wishing for you a touch of that kind of magic too! <3 Nicole xx
