Life

27 years ago today, I gave birth to my youngest daughter.

A few months prior to that, during a viscious row with her father, I was kicked in the stomach amongst other things. I remember wondering if I would lose (the baby) her. I remember wondering if it wouldn't just be better if I did. I didn't know if she'd been injured and I truly wondered how horrible it would be for a child to face that kind of life.

I survived the night without any problems. Bless the sweet things God gives us to protect our children. It is more than just a nine month cushy ride inside our wombs, it is a resolve as tough as steel.

Shortly after she was born I'd had enough. The fights did not abate. I had two lovely little girls. I had never been exposed to a life like that and by damned I was not going to carry the message that it was acceptable to be treated that way. Nor was I going to let my girls think that they had to be a victim of their choices. I loved their father but would not accept the violence.

I left.

I no longer harbor resentment. I know we had massive communication issues. I'm grateful that there was no harm to my baby. She and her sister are joys in my life.

I'm forever grateful to one person that held the candle to light my way out. I love you and always will for that and so many other things.

The Tin-Kin and The Nipper

Two wonderful things about this adventure in the U.K. is that with my new job role, I have time to read books again. I don't have a house to come home and take care of or family to attend to. I get to read before going asleep instead of collapsing in exhaustion. (It wasn't my family that ate my brain, but the job I was doing. And while I loved it, it WAS eating my brain.) I'm doing a lot of localised reading too. It makes me feel like I'm a bit bigger part of this wonderful world I've stumbled into.

The Tin-Kin took place in Elgin, Scotland. A place I had the pleasure of working in for a couple of days. While the review discounted the 1950's, Traveller's dialect, to me, it brought it all together and put some great frosting on the cake.

The Nipper is sad and was difficult to read. I had a hard time staying with it. But goodness prevailed and the victim triumphed.

I really did enjoy my time in Scotland!

Lessons

I believe it is all about lessons. God, the Universe, Karma, whatever you want to call it, creates every experience and opportunity as a lession. The questions are did you embrace it and did you learn from it. Before you get all wigged out by that my thoughts, I'm going to expound on another word that gets people's knickers in a twist, and it shouldn't.

Consequences.

Lessons and consequences have been given a bum rap for so long. They are most often applied to a situation in a negative way. The consquences of his actions sent him to jail. Maybe she'll learn a lesson from it. Etc., etc.

Now let's bring to mind the other half of the context of thse words. Consequences are the result of actions. Good actions result in positive consequences and everyday lessons, noted, prepare you for things ahead, sometimes by merely being present in the moment.

My lesson that I realized I'd been given for today? When I was in Holland, Joop and I went to the grocery store. 1) was we needed our own bags and 2) that we needed to get a price sticker for the produce before we took it to the cashier. The bags I've known about here, but today was the first day that I bought loose fruit. And I saw a bunch of stickers plastered on a table near a scale. The light went off and I knew what to do. No embarrasment when I checked out.

I have been given countless lessons in my life. Thankfully. And blessings to those who shared them with me.

Saturday

I was privileged enough to arrive at Westminster Cathedral today just as Mass was starting. I stayed. It was magnificent. The all male choir was heavenly, the setting divine. I didn't take pictures, although one could when services were not being held. I have never seen such a beautiful church and its glory called out to my soul. I'm sure I will go back again and again.

I then wandered on up to Westminster Abbey. I was going to abandon the tour today because the queue seemed long and it was close to the "last call". But actually it was open later and I had plenty of time. I love the fact that Europe provides audio tours. This one was free of charge. Such a magnificent place. Kings and Queens and actors and authors all buried there. Just magnificent.

Mary the Queen of Scots is buried there. After being in Edinburgh and learning of her history there, it it was like a bow being tied. And the coronation chair also has ties to the stone I saw in Edinburgh.

I saw the London Eye and will eventually ride it. It was so rainy today that I just couldn't see the value. I'd rather spend an hour in the queue on a nice day, than to have a shorter wait on a crummy day.

I saw the outside of Parliment and Big Ben! Then I walked to the Palace via St. James Gardens. I plan to go to the Palace tomorrow and watch the changing of the guards.

I bought some magnificent wine and cheese tonight in Victoria Station. Had a lovely dinner in my room. A very nice 2007 Bordeaux, Dulong. Not to heavy, sweet or dry. Rich, but not too leggy either.

I haven't blogged much. I'm so overwhelmed, still, by this opportunity. It's hard to write about it publically. I have done some great journaling though.

England

Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted. I still need to post Edinburgh.

I'm in England now, just outside of London. Saturday, and I slept in - all of 7:00 am. I'm not on a long term gig this round and I need to organise my suitcases so I'm not hauling both of them around. I couldn't figure out why I hurt so bad this morning in my neck and shoulders...I hauled 57 lbs (26 kilograms) from Scotland to London to Brentwood. Planes, Trains, and automobiles. The Underground isn't really set up to be an "everything I have is with me" mode of transportation.

It is still early. Today is an errand day. I have the teapot going, a Scottish cashmere shawl wrapped around me, and am about ready to do my weekly reports for work. After that miscellaney shopping, a launderette, I hope, a trip to a bookstore, some general exploring, and the sorting of my items.

Tomorrow and Tuesday I'll be working in London.

The work is that which I love and the setting is still as sparkly and enjoyable as I had envisioned it.