looking for the joy # 1
November 19th, 2008
“Little steps,” is my often repeated mantra at the moment. Small steps taken one at a time is the way I’m getting through my days. There is a certain rhythm to the steps, not quite a dance, but certainly a gentle stroll. As in the days when I was ill with ME, I am resting, drinking some tea, making a few drawings, reading a few pages of this and that, watching some TV, seeing friends. There is a lot of comfort in the familiarity of these things.
As and when I feel able I am also sorting through the boxes of my mother’s things and slowly sorting out my studio space. I am making progress I think, but it is slow enough progress not to be obvious on a day-to-day basis. Recently though, I’ve been hoping that some of this hard-to-see progress will include a slow seeping of some joy back into my days. As of today I’ve decided to be actively on the lookout for it. I’m searching around for things that make me smile. Today my eyes fell on my lovely red phone, a gift from my friend Neil. I’m very fond of my phone, the ring reminds me of being eleven and our first phone arriving at home. It’s ring was such a novelty, phone calls an unexpected treat. It feels just the same when my red phone rings…
November 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Oh, to have the freedom to babystep through my daze. I envy you so much.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I am very jealous!I have been on the lookout for a red phone exactly like this for years.It too reminds me of my first chilhood phone….the only clear memory i have from my first house.
Well done with the progress your making……..and thanks again for the Beany….:)
Kimberley
xx
November 20th, 2008 at 2:14 am
I have a red phone which was a gift from a dear friend, too. I think it’s in storage at the moment.
I’m very sorry to hear about your mother.
Good luck with the little steps and the looking for the joy.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Red phone ringing, the fun of dialing with the rotary dial! Yes Michael I just got one red circa 1970 red phone from my Mom for my last birthday! What a small world it is. Good luck with your small steps. I am finding that we all step a little happier here in Washington DC with the prospect of Obama coming to town. That brilliant change should make us all a llittle happy.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Wish I had red phone ;0( You should get one of those red 60s Olivettie Valentine typewriters to go with it. There are a few on EBay now and then. I feel joy when I see a jar of Nutella !
I notice you now refer to M.E. in the past tense. Are you better now ? If so, what helped you ?
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
what an odd little world this is!? I also have an old red phone - it’s not as old as yours but still it’s nice and fun and makes me smile. what a conincidience!
(shame the other half perfers a modern walk around one)
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Small steps can achieve a lot when you add them all up. Good for you looking for joy. You can find it in the smallest of things sometimes - like your phone sitting there being a joy all the time but not always seen. I’m smiling to see your observational drawings on your blog :o)