PC #110 – Guest Post Sister Clare: Smile…

Posted on by

HAPPY THOUGHTS…..

It’s wonderful reading as Anne gets ready to leave on her Camino, and Arlene is already on her way. I get so much pleasure from reading all your hopes and dreams -and disappointments, too; all the things that make us human.

And we’re  so lucky – think of our little group here, everyone has either walked the Camino and returned, or is preparing to walk in the future. I think either way, one of the things we all have in common is how much time each day, our own plans, the blog and talking with “Camino people” outside the blog, takes up in our thoughts.

Its a pleasant way to live, although I imagine not always so pleasant for spouses and friends left behind. I think they must often look on us in bemusement, wondering how on earth this walk has taken such hold on us!

So I was a little surprised when today an email from a very dear friend of mine had me preoccupied all day with something that had nothing to do with the Camino. It’s good in a way, to realise my brain is still capable of pondering things other than what’s  the best way to weigh my underwear.

It was a sweet and simple question. “What has made you smile today?” I had to think quite a while. I hate to say it, but there’s  been so much on my mind lately with one thing or another, I wasn’t  sure exactly when the last time I had smiled, was. I think the answer to a question like this can be very revealing of our priorities and state of mind.

This is what I came up with: The weather here has been unbearably hot and humid. Its my least favourite kind of weather, making me feel drained, achy and tired.

This morning I woke up to a delicious cold front.The evening had been in the 30c’s. This morning it was 4c. And my first smile today was : sleeves. I love the way sleeves feel so comforting and cosy the first time you put them back on in the fall. Its a wooly, fleecy little hug, and it makes me smile.

I made myself a cup of tea, and my old, black sweetheart of a tomcat jumped into my lap and started to purr. He was friendly and warm and his fur smelled so sweet in the sun that streamed through the window. The tea was delicious and he was blissed out -and that made me smile, too.

So I guess that clears up any ideas you may have had about me spending the morning deep in spiritual thought. At heart, I’m  just a little girl in a fuzzy sweater, sitting in the sun with my favourite cat. But that’s  ok. I’m  glad I still remember how to be uncomplicated!

Well – what has made YOU smile today?

images-2

39 thoughts on “PC #110 – Guest Post Sister Clare: Smile…”

  3. Waking up this morning was a reason to smile.

    Receiving a heartfelt greeting from a colleague upon my arrival at work made me smile.

    Seeing our senior class dressed in a huge range of outfits for their international day and witnessing their joy of being together.

    Receiving a big hug from my husband when I arrived home from work.

    There are lots of reasons to smile today.

    Anne

    Like

    • Your home sounds like such a warm and welcoming place, Anne. You’ve painted a lovely scene -thank you

      Like

  4. Today, I am smiling fkr waking up in my own bed for a change 🙂 . For the past 5 weeks, except for a few days here and there, and 24/7 I have been companion, nurse, cook,cleaner, sorter/packer/tosser/retriever/mover/unpacker/decorator, a shoulder to cry on, helpun my 87 year old mother in law adjust to her new reality of moving into assisted living retirement care. Mission acco mplished 🙂

    /

    Like

  6. Wow, you made me stop and think as to whether I smiled yet today. Hey wait, the first email I read today was a pgs post where you, Bill,said I made youlaugh. That made me smile, when I thought about making someone laugh on the other side of the world. It really is a small world. :-). Steve

    Like

  9. Well, all of you have made me smile. I have been away for a couple of days and when I read all of your posts, it is like coming home. 🙂 On the other hand, there is demolition going on upstairs in my master bathroom……….we waited until we couldn’t wait anymore, but we are finally getting a new bathroom floor and countertop. That isn’t quite as altruistic as the rest of you, but at the moment, I am quite happy. (Ask me again in two weeks when it is all supposed to be
    done….because if it isn’t done, the smile may not be quite as big. 🙂 ha ha)

    Like

    • Hi Julie
      I hate living with ongoing renovations, but the end result always looks great. What I’m smiling about right now though , is that you’ve come to the blog just when I realised Ive lost your email again!

      Like

    • Julie,

      You have my most sincere condolences. Over the last two years I have redone the floors (and a few fixtures) on three bathrooms. I am now working through detailing after a kitchen floor re-do.

      It is unlikely that I have spent so much time continually on my knees since I was an altar boy during Holy Week.

      Enjoy it when it is done!

      Brendan

      Like

  10. Hi everyone –
    ‘Love the post Sister Clare!
    The little things that make you smile are so special – eg the small routines of a much-loved pet, such as your sweet tomcat, that those of us who are fortunate enough to be the owners of pets see every day. Every one of those little routines will make you smile!
    Cheers – Jenny

    Like

    • Its so true, Jenny -and I pray that I never becime so busy or self involved that I no longer notice these little moments of simple, happy pleasure. They are one of Gods gifts of love that exist just to help us live more happily.

      Like

  11. I smiled when my 7year-old talked about throwing “hummus” in Lake Taupo. Clearly she was referring to the pumice laying on the shore, and not the dehydrated hummus we ate up the mountain (BTW, I tried dehydrating hummus to see if it would be viable to carry as an emergency ration on the Salvador/Primitivo routes – it was a winner) I smiled again just thinking about the fact that next time I eat dehydrated hummus, it will be in Spain!

    Like

      • Only just seen your comment – add water to rehydrate and it’s exactly like the real thing. Perfect for a camino lunch in the middle of nowhere with a hunk of bread.

        Like

Comments are closed.