A glimmery reminder

When the winter sun does its surprise appearance,

it lights everything aflame

in shades of gold and blush and burnt ochre. 

As if trying to stop little old me in my tracks

in the middle of a hundred errands and to-dos,

which are suddenly thrown in the shadow 

of something much more mesmerising. 



I often bump into an elderly professor emerita and famous author,

who lives in the neighbourhood. 

I don't know her in person at all,

just of her,

but every time she passes me or us by,

she will lift her gaze,

look attentively at both me and the children,

and smile. 

Even when she's clearly in the middle of having

a deep and meaningful conversation

with her significant other close to her side.

There's something about seeing her

that fills me with a warm glow every single time. 

Her presence, warmth, 

and kind curiosity,

like that of a child's 

with sparkling eyes. 




I think it's these winter sun moments,

a few too many meaningless preoccupations,

and the silver-haired lady with her glittery eyes

that have been filling me to the brim with a desire

to be more wholeheartedly present

in what one does,

 in every chance encounter

on the corner of the street,

while the kids are brushing their teeth.

(And, on the flip side,

to surprise oneself by also politely hearing the word

'no' slip out of the mouth,

to make space for what genuinely matters.

I wonder why that's still so hard...) 



I do love that I could always get lost

in this space and a moment with you. 

Let's make the most of the weekend at hand,



Love,

R, x





p.s. thank you for leaving traces of yourselves over the past week,

I'll get back to you really soon, xx