Friday, June 15, 2012

Perspective

I spent the entire night curled and cramped with Felix, in the single bed. Seriously uncomfortable sleep. The house has been messy and cluttered with damp clothes dangling everywhere, the result of rainy weather all week. I've felt every bit frumpy and hagged. This morning, I woke in a very bad frame of mind. Not at all how I like to start my day.


Throughout the moody teen years, my parents would often tell me to watch the news and more specifically, world news, if I thought my life was tough. And although it aggravated me in the way that anything parents say aggravate a teenager, it is certainly a notion that has stuck with me. When I hear about a mother of three having her life abruptly taken away, by a man she loved (or once loved) enough to marry. Leaving behind her babies. The horror of a tragedy like this is gut-wrenching. And it's only one of many nasty realities in the news this week. It rattles me to the core, opens my eyes, puts my tiny woes into perspective.


Scott is one of the most rational people I know. Whilst I don't often admit this fact to him, he is the voice of reason in practically every emotional upheaval I go through. Like myself, he finds the parenting gig a tricky one to negotiate. He gets frustrated, cranky, feels helpless at times and challenged by the constantly evolving nature of it all. But I keep coming back to something he said to me many moons ago, when Angus was a babe. That the only thing harder than raising children, would be to not have children to raise at all. And he is absolutely right. On days like this one, his words are never more relevant. They're my perspective... and there is nothing more important than having a little bit of that.



Darling sweet boy, watching Nana feed the birds... and napping on my old bed, in my old room. Moments that made a difficult day worthwhile.

15 comments:

  1. Oh Jules, I love that phrase from your hubby. I've been feeling a bit 'blah' at times over these past few weeks but often I'll hear something or read something that makes me realise how lucky I am. And even in the middle of a really bad day kids always seem to manage to do something so lovely and cute that it makes it all ok again. Hope you have a wonderful weekend with your lovely family. x

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  2. So tru Julie, that saying. And that is a dreadful story regarding that poor women and her children who are now likely to be left without either of their parents. Hope you start getting your groove back soon. x

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  3. Those are wise words indeed, Scott. So very, very true and it's all we really need to know. x

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  4. PS - I'm sorry it's tough for you right now, Jules. Perspective is one thing, but it's still hard. x

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  5. Oh - so, so very true.
    I hope you guys enjoy a lovely weekend - and put the challenges of the week behind you.
    Love your perspective. :-) xx

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  6. Such wise words and ones I need to remember. Perspective is something I have tried to keep sight of this week, it's hard but it does help you get through tough times.
    Hope you and your guys have a wonderful weekend Julie :)
    x

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  7. Words so true Jules (thank you Scott), we all have those moments when we need to take a step back and realise what we have is so precious and so wonderful, albeit challenging as all get out at times. As for those moody teenage years, my daughter has just entered them so i'm taking a leaf out of your book and she is right at this moment watching the news! Love that first photo - so gorgeous, looking out over the garden, wonder what he was thinking! Hope you have found your groove again and are enjoying the weekend. x

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  8. I feel your pain re: the washing! I so wish the rain would go away long enough to get the clothes dry. But at least we have plenty of water, unlike other areas of drought and famine. {That's that perspective-thing}

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  9. That is so true! Always good to step back and realise how lucky we are to have them (even when they may drive us bonkers sometimes!) xx

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  10. It's this rain! I'm sure it makes everything seem harder. Fingers crossed for a better week next week xx

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  11. Oh Jules. You darling girl. Scott is so right. But I agree with Bron, these days are still so hard. Especially when you're cooped up inside with them and cabin fever has set in. You are not alone - I had a shocker yesterday! J x

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  12. He is a wise man that one! Sometimes we all need a little perspective sometimes. Hoping your sleep is a better one tonight x

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  13. Your husband sounds like mine - wise, calm, level headed, practical & usually right! It's so annoying!
    I hope you get a good sleep tonight & tomorrow will be a better day!

    Melissah
    Coastal Style

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  14. oh, yes, I agree with him! but still: 'the years are short but the days are long'.

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  15. Sending lots of love and hugs for a better week and slightly easier days this week.
    Sometimes we underestimate our Hubby's and then they come out with lines like this and you think 'this is why I love you'

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