Done in 15 minutes

I’m super happy right now. I haven’t been well recently and a friend of mine moved from my village to a small city nearby. I didn’t do a lot whilst she was moving other than check in and enquire so the day before she moved I went over. With an offer of food. I would pay for her food for her and her husband on the move. I realise literally now I have not done a lot for her. But my offer of food went down a treat. Turns out practical help worked really well! I’m super happy because the idea came from when dad died and everyone brought food round. Other than the fact my dad died, it was the best. Surrounded by people, cheer, excellent food. So I wanted to pass on that practical help to her.#passiton. I haven’t passed my driving test yet so no I can’t drive otherwise I’d have taken the day off and helped unpack. But as a friend I am there for her as much as possible. She’s an incredible woman in her own right. And I am lucky to call her my friend, a woman who has the courage of her convictions to go where her heart tells her is the kind of woman I want to be when I “grow up” and I have a lot of growing up to do. I have so much to learn from her. But her situation reminds me somewhat of my mum. New country and a baby. When mum was first in the U.K. and I was the baby, it’s nice to know that I am becoming someone my Auntie Claudia and Auntie Theresa would be proud of. Because heaven knows they did it for me. They brought survival help, fun and laughter. I don’t need to bring survival help, but a bit of fun and adventure? Always. It’s what I would have wanted for my mother if I was more than an infant. Weird how Karma works. I was once the baby, now I’m the equivalent of my aunt Claudia and aunt Theresa, and when I one day become a mother, I know she’ll do whatever she can to support me. So then I’ll have fulfilled all 3 roles. And so too will she. The circle of life.

Gift giving is also my love language. It means “I saw this and I thought of you” it for me is a sign of affection and respect. And “I saw this and I thought of you” was how dad would give me toys as a child… those toys were second hand from a car-boot sale but when I was a kid it’s not like I could tell the difference. It was magical.

I’m mainly patting myself on the back because my gift worked out well. It also reminded me of when I moved from London to Hedge end… dad’s first experience of Hampshire highways and trying to get to a supermarket was a mission… how much we’d have appreciated someone just getting us dinner. I’m glad to have made her day easier.

That’s what friends are for

Go ahead and be the reason someone else smiles today.

Grace and Courage

Annetta Mother Smith