Small things which made me happy.

1

We were driving into Shrewsbury when I saw smoke rising from the verge.

As we got closer it was clear that the grass was on fire and that there was a big old hedge behind it which would be catching light within a few wind’s breaths. So I stopped and tipped water, and stamped out the flames with two other sets of feet.  We stamped and stamped until the flames were out and we all headed back to our cars.

Had the hedge gone up in flames, which it would have done in minutes had we not stopped, fire engines would have been needed, the road would have closed, chaos would have ensued.  Some super stamping from three pairs of feet acted fast and saved the day.  A good deed done.

Then, as I got into my car and looked up, I saw that the other two sets of feet live in the same village, a teacher and a teaching assistant from our local school. We saw each other, waved and laughed.

2

Later that day were were on a train and I saw a woman, an older woman with grey hairs streaking black, no make up on, I didn’t even notice what she was wearing but she was absolutely radiant, glowing, beautiful.

So I told her so.

And with complete humility she thanked me and then

with grace

said she would pass my words to her mother and grandmother

who she would thank.

Beautiful.

 

These things made me smile and filled me with hope and delight at the wonder we humans can be.

Be on the lookout for small joys, small graces, small moments of making a difference, making a connection as you go on with your days.

 

  • What made you smile this week?
  • Keep a smile list or even better, fill a jar with shreds of paper with moments of happiness scribbled on them so that you can pull them out to revisit when needed

 

[Thanks Victoria Macken for your photography]

Farmotherlands is my award winning collection of poems about nature, farming, community and family. You can buy a copy here.

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Thanks for being here.
Julie

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