G - Green Green Grass of Home

I could say that 90 % of my posts are spontaneous and inspired by the essence of what the day brings, or has brought.  Even when I gave myself a theme for the month or as is the case for April, participating in the challenge, I do not plan much ahead what I will be sharing (except for a central goal, that I would like to achieve, for example in April 365~self-portraits being taken more outdoors).  I am as surprise as the readers will be how a blog will turn out - always hoping it will be inspiring not only for me!

Today's letter is G.  Looking through the pictures I took from the day, I heard the song: Green Green Grass of Home play in my head.  This is how I came to choose the word for today's letter.

I am fully aware of what the song is narrating, and in between writing this blog, I youtubed a version sung by Tom Jones. His rendition was so moving. The song for me is holding onto (an image of) hope and dreams, even as death nears.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I experienced many years of deep depression.  Although in hindsight, I saw the beginnings of it during the age of puberty, it became chronic after I left the country of my birth.

It was not until I gave birth to middle daughter in 2002, 9 years of living as an expat, that I sought a psychiatrist, and was diagnosed with manic-depression.  Another 9 years to finally talk about it openly, as I do now.

I wish I could tell you, I have found a miracle cure for it, and that I live a happily ever after life.  What I can say though without any hesitation is, I am happy, still living with this ailment but I have found a better way to live with it.

We are now living in the Netherlands for 2 years, and I feel at home.  Not only at home where we are geographically but at home with my family, with myself. 

There are still a lot of  storms ahead of us to weather through but the soil where we have planted the roots of our family tree is rich with love, and we know as we grow together, we will only get stronger as a unit and as an individual within this unit.

Meanwhile we enjoy the verdance of the life surrounding us, and are very grateful to witness how nature shows it's pure beauty through different seasons.  The moments when I think this must be just a dream, and I will wake up in my old self, still confused, angry and hurting, lost in the fog of numbness, are fleeting away.

Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary, hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me, arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.

Have you come home?

Heavenly!

Please click on image for better view :) of the cow! My mascot for this blog :D

To be well again, and productive - heavenly!

I share with tonight's 365 ~ self-portrait, an idea (a sort of a reminder) for a sketch (eventually a painting), I would like to work on, when I can go back to devouting time for that passion again.  It will be my modern interpretation of The Milk Maid by Johannes Vermeer.

I have to say in case you are wondering, I still plan to write posts and not only photo blogs this month.  Due to my health condition for the past couple of weeks, I resorted to photo blogs (simplifying!) but  I plan to write some subjects I have briefly mentioned in past blogs, as soon as the family schedule allows.

Tonight a short summary of our Sunday.

We all slept in.  After brunch each member of the family had their "playtime".  The girls travelled with their imagination with the help of their Schleich toys.  While P and I were both behind our laptops.  The weather was great, but we were all simply too sluggish to go out and do a family bike tour.  We'll have enough biking opportunity the entire week when I bring the girls to school.  Also P has again the weekend off!

The girls did their grooming in the afternoon while I thoroughly cleaned the master bedroom, and P cleared the kitchen.

I am very proud of middle daughter; she proudly showered by herself again today.  It will not only be helpful for me in the future when I go back to work that they are able to do a lot of things on their own but also great for their sense of self.

P cooked chicken tikka massala for dinner while I put on the clean sheets that he laundered this afternoon. There was laughter at the dinner table and relaxing conversation.

Simple heavenly Sunday!  It is great to feel one's health back, and be able to truly share family time as it should be.

Here is wishing that you all have a lovely Sunday evening what remains from it, and a good start in the new week!

Three quotes, I share tonight, which I will use to affirm the day &  meditate on, before I go to bed:

Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.
Plato

Our life is frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify.
Henry David Thoreau

I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.
Oscar Wilde