Just a Thought – Page 2

You’re Special

I read the following the other day and thought I’d love to share it. Well, Geoff is watching Friday night football and getting very excited, the girls are out, so perfect time for me to be at the computer. I won’t even tell you who Geoff is barracking for……..actually I will and it’s not Manly. How can he even think that’s OK when you live on the Northern Beaches. Oh my goodness, he has just popped in tell me excitedly how HIS team has just scored!!

I hope you enjoy the article, it’s not only for you, but something to remind your children (or someone special) about.

You’re special. In all the world there’s nobody like you.

Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you.

Nobody has your smile, nobody has your eyes, your nose, your hair, your hands, your voice.

You’re special. No one can be found who has your handwriting.

Nobody anywhere has your tastes for food, clothing, music or art.

No one sees things just as you do.

In all of time there’s been no one who laughs like you, no one who cries like you, and what makes you cry or laugh will never produce identical laughter and tears from anybody else, ever.

You’re the only one in all of creation who has your set of abilities.

Oh, there will always be somebody who is better at one of the things you’re good at, but no one in the universe can reach the quality of your combination of talents,ideas, abilities and feelings. Like a room full of musical instruments, some may excel alone, but none can match the symphony sound when all are played together. You’re a symphony.

Through all eternity, no one will ever look, talk, walk, think or do like you.

You’re special…you’re rare. And in all rarity there is great value. Because of your great value you need not attempt to imitate others….you will accept – yes, celebrate your differences.

You’re special and you must realise that you have something that no one else can do as well as you. Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified, only one has the right combination of what it takes.

That one is you, because…..you’re special.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as me, especially when you are feeling a little down and maybe not so special. I think we all need to learn to love ourselves and appreciate that we are unique.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Love Chris xx

Chris

Father’s Day

I’m away on Father’s Day…that’s never happened before and it’s been 3 years since I’ve been away from Geoff and the girls at the same time. Oh well, skiing with my girlfriends beckoned. I know that Geoff will be looked after in a loving and caring way. When the girls found out I wouldn’t be here, they immediately went into planning the day mode – I think it is a wonderful opportunity for them to “take-over” the home, the kitchen and hopefully the cleaning up.

I’ve asked them to let me know what makes their father a good dad. This is what they said.

Dad is always willing to hangout and have a chat. He encourages me in all my ideas and dreams even if they seem a bit crazy. Dad is always generous in time, money, encouragement and wisdom. He is always excited to see us when he gets home from work – he may have had the worst day, but he is still happy to see us. He is generous and loving. I love how close we are and that I can tell him anything and he has great advice. He is hilarious, easy going – the best dad and friend.

That sums up their dad!

I didn’t have a dad around, as he became unwell when I was 10. So I don’t have a great deal of experience with having a dad or, as it happens, being a dad. The closest thing I have is watching Geoff with our children. You don’t have to be perfect or brilliant to give your children a great start. There is room for imperfections and mistakes, but your children will know if you think they are special. I read the following in a magazine, which I hope you enjoy reading and sharing with the man in your life, who has the extraordinary role of being a dad.

Tips for Dads:

Stay Calm – Try to take something positive out of every new experience your kids introduce you to.
Be silly once a day – If it’s not your job description to have fun with your children, then it’s time to rewrite it!
Don’t take yourself too seriously – character matters more than reputation, you might lose face occasionally, but modelling character means being willing to apologise, being honest about mistakes, forgiving other people for their mistakes, and moving on.
Honour their mother – This teaches your children an important lesson in life about respect. Presenting a united front on boundaries, discipline and priorities will make your children feel more secure.
Celebrate their differences – Each of your children is different – try to spend time with them individually, and don’t compare them with each other. Each child is unique.

Happy Father’s Day to the dads of the world. What a special place you have in your children’s lives. Have a wonderful, fun-filled day. I’m smiling just thinking about how special it must be to be a dad!

Love Chris xx

Chris

Welcome to Bits and Pieces

Hi everyone. I’m pleased to announce that I have relaunched my Blog – Bits and Pieces. It still contains all my old posts, but with a beautiful design. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Sarah Rosborg of Castle Design (www.castledesign.com.au). Sarah has given me so much support and help and she was extremely patient with all my questions and requests. I think you will agree Sarah has done a magnificent job – how cute is the Bits and Pieces logo (the anchor was my idea!!). I would love to know what you think and I look forward to putting some posts up. As usual, I’ve got lots to say.

Love Chris xxxx

Chris

Ruby May – EP Launch

Last night our daughter Ruby (Ruby May) launched her first EP, Wanderer. It was one of the most memorable and happy nights of my life and I’m sure Geoff’s as well. There are so many stages of children’s lives, from their first steps, toddler years, middle years, teenage years. Our girls are very different people, yet I love them equally. I have done my very best in helping them, guiding them, “parenting” them, alongside with Geoff. Over the years I often didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I tried to love them unconditionally and encourage and support them whenever it was needed.

Well, last night as I watched Ruby and the incredibly talented band supporting her, I was enthralled and a little mesmerised that my gorgeous, strong-willed (very), loving, funny, empathetic, fun young lady could be performing her own songs. Ruby pulled the whole night together, organised the recording with the help of her fantastic producer, the practices, the printing of the CD’s, organising the venue and much more. Oh my Ruby has worked so hard to put this together.

So I would like to encourage any of you who are mums or dads of little ones, that your efforts of love (and discipline) will be richly rewarded, which I’m sure they are now. The only disappointing thing about last night was that Eloise wasn’t permitted to attend as she wasn’t 18, but texts, photos and her heart was there with her older sister and they haven’t stopped talking about the night.

I’m about to cry because as I’m typing this I’m listening to her music which I’ve downloaded from the CD onto my computer.

You can listen and buy Ruby’s EP Wanderer HERE

Love Chris xx

Chris

What Was I Thinking?

I’m going through our photo albums and scanning the photos into my computer. I’m up to March 1995, yes a very long process, plus I keep getting distracted by all the memories.

Occasionally I come across some doozies (is that even a word?). What the heck was I thinking dressing myself and Ruby in the same clothes. Oh I didn’t stop there……quite a few years later I’m at it again with Eloise. Thanks to my darling friend Jen T for having those Sam Wiggle parties all those years ago.

Then I’ve found a few photos where I just didn’t seem to know when to stop with the high pony-tail on top of the head. Adding to this I dressed up Eloise in a beautiful dress (that my mum made) but then expected her to attend Ruby’s 5th birthday party at the local kindygym. This would have been really restrictive for the little darling, especially as she was the most active kid around. And trying to jump around the place with a dress that was down to her feet, impossible!

Again, what was I thinking.

Please tell me I wasn’t the only one who did this sort of thing……..please!!

Enjoy your weekend.

Love Chris xxxx

Chris

Jane’s At It Again

The other day we were having coffee and my funny friend Jane says “You’ll never guess what happened to me the other day”. We laughingly said “No darling, we’ll never guess, tell us what happened”. This is how the story goes.

Jane jumped into her daughter’s car, a black snazzy Honda Jazz to go and grab a coffee. Managing to park directly outside the coffee shop she had a little chat with the barista and returned to the car with her coffee.

Happy days until for no reason Jane was unable to get the key into the ignition after several attempts, she then started to panic and that her daughter had been sold a dud car! Suddenly a rather harassed frantic lady started to knock at the window of the car. ‘Geez what now’ thought Jane and impatiently said “Yes can I help you?” To which the lady responded “Excuse me but can I have my car back!”

On closer inspection Jane realised that in fact she wasn’t sitting in a black Honda Jazz but a light grey Golf Volkswagen car – Clung!!!!!!!!

The poor lady was in a shop next to the coffee shop and by chance glanced out to see Jane in her car and, thinking that she was being carjacked, shouted loudly
“That woman is stealing my car”!!

All ended well but I’m sure the lady will in the future be remembering to use her central locking!!

I hope you get to have a giggle out of this story as much as we did.

Have an enjoyable weekend.

Love Chris xx

Chris

A couple of weeks ago when visiting my mum, she was looking at some letters I had written to her. There was one that I had given her with my Mother’s Day card four years ago. My mum was and is a really wonderful mum. She surrounded us with unconditional love growing up (my brother says I spent my teenage years bickering with mum – I may have been a bit feisty). My dad was diagnosed with a degenerative brain tumour when mum was 33 and he was only 40 (I was 10). My parents grew up 4 doors apart, and mum says she fell in love with dad when she was 12. She still kept our family together with the help of my Nanna (Ruby Jewell) and my Uncle John (they lived a km away). Even with dad’s illness and disability always present in our home, mum always put her children first (after attending to dad of course). She nursed and loved him for 10 long years (the last 4 while he was in a nursing home during the week and totally wheelchair bound).

I would like to share the letter with you and hope that it might encourage you to write a letter to your mum this Mother’s Day.

Darling Mum

On reflecting what to write to you on Mothers’ Day, I think of your six grandchildren – how beautiful, well-adjusted, caring young people they all are. I give you credit for these lovely children.

I think I am a good mum and this is because I draw on your mother’s love and my memories and experiences of how you were (and are) a caring and a wonderful mother to us. So, mum, the heritage you leave as a mum and nanna is priceless and cannot be valued. I cannot express to you how often I think about all the little things you did for us as we grew up and I can only try and copy that in my own mothering.

Thank you mum for teaching, showing and demonstrating to me how to be a mum and for being my role-model. I Love You.

Thank you for letting me share that with you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you outstanding, delightful, magnificent mums. Make sure you take lots of photos of the lovely presents your kids will make for you at school and kindy.

x Chris

Chris

Lest We Forget

When I was in my early teens I was a member of the Hornsby RSL Youth Club and on Anzac Day we were encouraged to represent the RSL Youth Club by marching in the local Anzac Day March (I also participated in the march in Sydney in the early seventies). I felt so proud marching on this special day even as a 12 year old. My grandfather Colin Thomson, who served in the Second World War, participated in the local march as well. One of my proudest moments was when we finished the march and we were standing in remembrance around the Cenotaph in Hornsby. It was and always has been a solemn and reflective time. I looked over to see my Grandpa’s head bent in remembrance and it made me feel so proud of this lovely man, who had lost his brother Lachlan in the same war (I didn’t know that as a 12 year old).

I suppose this is why I always feel that Anzac Day is such a special day. I’ve spent many Anzac Days watching the telecast on the ABC, which always brings a tear to my eye. We used to watch with the hope of seeing one of my uncles or parents’ friends on the TV as these very proud men marched by (of course they have all passed away now). Even today just hearing the stirrings of the drums in the pipe bands, as they begin their march, makes me thoughtful.

My brother’s son Nicholas belongs to his school’s cadets and wears his Great Grandfather’s medals in his school’s Anzac Day March.

Today I’m able to go and watch the march in Sydney and I will definitely be taking a box of tissues.

If you have an Anzac Day story please let me know.

We will remember them
Lest we forget.

Category: Just a Thought

You’re Special

Chris

Father’s Day

Chris

Welcome to Bits and Pieces

Chris

Ruby May – EP Launch

Chris

What Was I Thinking?

Chris

Jane’s At It Again

Chris

A Mother’s Day Letter

Chris

Lest We Forget

Chris