SPACE to SOW and GROW - Compassion

I read Seraphina the story of The Little Match Girl today, written by Hans Christian Anderson.   If you are familiar with his original stories you will know that they are deep and thought provoking and often sad and heartbreaking.

Something I used to do with the older kids was read them a passage or chapter of a story and then have them draw a picture afterwards. It might be of a favourite character or scene, whatever connected with them at the time. I loved seeing what they would come up with and how although they both heard the same story, they would each create a different picture and in their own unique way.

I could see that Seraphina was really feeling the tragedy of the story and kept asking a lot of questions.   Like, why was the little match girl so poor? and Why would her father beat her if she couldn't sell any matches? This was a great opportunity for us to discuss these issues and to feel gratitude for our fortunate lives. We talked about homeless people and how they would feel when the cold winter rolls in.

Seraphina chose to draw the Christmas tree that the little match girl saw in the story and then drew the girl smiling. Unfortunately, without thinking, I said, "She wasn't very happy in the story was she" and Sera said "No" and rubbed out her mouth and drew a sad face.

I regret to have interfered with her creative expression. It was more me thinking out loud but Sera quickly took that as me telling her that her picture was wrong.  Such a shame on my part but another lessoned learned. I will not say a word next time.

Seraphina explained to me that she drew the happy face because she hoped that the little girl would feel the happiness that SHE feels at Christmas time. What a sweet gesture xx

The story of The Little Match Girl inspired us to make some precious candle holders. This Autumn we have been having fun making beeswax candles to connect with the shorter days and longer nights of the season.

I found a sweet tutorial on felt tealight candle holders in Amber Schmida Green's new book "Parenting Fun Everyday". Amber's book is full of useful information on keeping a natural rhythm flowing in the home while parenting small children. I've only read a handful of chapters so far but can highly recommend her work.

Here are the candle holders we made..

While we were sewing we made up a little song to honour the Little Match Girl. We felt her sadness and her pain and it was our way of sending a prayer out to all of the less fortunate people in the world. 

Sera would like to do some knitting so perhaps we could work together on a project to donate to charity and homeless people. Do you know of any such charities?

Here's our song..

"Little Match Girl we light a candle for you, Little Match Girl we light a candle for you, To warm your fingers, your hands, your toes and feet, Little Match Girl we pray your life will be sweet."

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Lovely Little Nannie.. Forever in Bloom

Wednesday saw the passing of a very special lady.  My husband's closest grandparent, in fact the only one he ever really knew.  Nan died peacefully at home after 91 colourful years of life.  She was kind-hearted, sweet, a lover of Elvis and fondly loved by many.  It was not possible for us all to fly over to the East side for the funeral and I was torn with feelings at the prospect of not being there to show my respects.  Apart from the fact that she was always so welcoming to me, I just really, really liked her.  It felt so nurturing to be in her presence.. and I will miss her.

queensland.inetgiant.com.au

I worried that the rest of the family would be disappointed that the children and I did not attend the funeral, perhaps assuming that I didn't consider it a matter of importance.  I also tossed around in my head the idea that the family wouldn't think twice about it as she wasn't my grandmother anyway.  This hurt me more, to think of the latter, as I started doubting my acceptance in the family.  I then started questioning why I loved her so much. Why I felt so sad that I couldn't be there to say goodbye.

As I sat and contemplated on my feelings I recognised they were purely fear based.  One a fear of not pleasing others, and the other a fear of rejection.  When I think about it... this has been a common theme in my life.  Two opposing forces clouding my truth.  So as I sat and thought of Nan, I saw her smiling...  She knew why I wasn't there and she didn't mind.  In fact, she reminded me that she will always be with us in spirit.  It is a hard concept to accept in the midst of grief, when you know you can never again physically hold or see the person you love, and yet personally, this shift in thought eased my sadness.. at least a little.  I am sure the next time I visit her hometown, I will feel the loss again.  It just won't be the same without her.  I feel relieved that she is not hurting anymore.  I feel comfortable knowing that she is always with us and as my husband so beautifully put it.. "She is everywhere now".

To express my emotions I did what I always do.  I wrote a poem.  I felt really connected to Nan in the process and felt like it was my way of saying thank you for being such a loving gift to my life.  The poem was included on the funeral card which was a beautiful, and generous gesture of the family.  I felt like I had given my respects in a formal way after all.

The sweetest bird flew to Heaven today

with Angels by her side.

They carried her up

on the wings of Love

so that she did not cry.

And as she turned and smiled at us

she whispered in their ears.

"Stay with them always

and hold them close

so that they never fear."

And let them know how loved I felt

through all of my time.

And that I felt

truly blessed

having each of them in

My Life

During the funeral, the children and I held our own ceremony for Nan here at home.  Seraphina created a sculpture out of playdough and proclaimed it Nan's new home xx  It was decorated with leftover candles from Lani's recent birthday cake and adorned with a necklace Lani had been wearing since hearing the news of Nan's passing.  It had belonged to Nan and was given to Lani as a gift. So Beautiful xx  We said our goodbyes and blew out the candles, sending our prayers and wishes out to the Ethers.  We will miss you Nan.  You'll always be in our Hearts xx

"Nannie's New Home" - We Love You x