February Kindnesses... I know... its about time! :)

So last month I finally got around to doing the Kindnesses for January! And in the new format they are much easier to post! And I will shortly write up the ones for February...

The terrible thing is that after loosing one lot of kindness due to technology, I had believed I had fixed the problem. However... technology seems to thwart me at every turn, and i lost a lot more of my kindnesses, so I have had to AGAIN got back through the books/diaries/photos/text messages/personal messages/Facebook to try and figure out exactly what I have been doing. Needless to say, I have given up on the technological recording of kindnesses and have gone back to simply writing them down in my diary!

Please note, that my "cop out" clause for not finding any evidence that I had done a kindness on a particular day was to write that "I made mum a cup of tea". I do this almost everyday anyways, and she doesn't usually wake up unless she has had one. So I find it a kindness... maybe I should be writing "Woke mum up nicely" as well... but I know that I have done a kind deed everyday, even if i cant recall EXACTLY what it was, we all know... at least mum got a nice wake up and warm tea in her belly! :)

Anyways, here is the kindnesses for February:

FEBRUARY 2012:

February 1st: I passed on a letter and read it aloud to my dad who had received it from a friend who had just been to India! 

February 2nd: I helped an elderly neighbor carry several bags of craft supplies upstairs to her house. I also helped a friend photograph about 20 of her quilts for the charities she supports. 

Can you see those fingertips and ankles... yeah... that's ME!!! :)

...and again... sexy ankles! lol! :)

February 3rd: I helped look after my Niece and Nephew  whilst their parents were at a dinner party. 

February 4th:I made a dip for my mother to take to a gathering of her friends. Whilst she was out I cleaned the whole house, Including changing all of the sheets, Vacuuming, doing the laundry, doing the washing up, and sorting out problem areas of the house so when she returned the house was clean and uncluttered - A wonderful surprise.

February 5th: I took on the role of chef for the afternoon/evening and cooked lunch and dinner for both mum and I when she was having a very hard day.

February 6th: I encouraged my mum and helped her walk to my dads nursing home and back. I also supported by sisters business. 

February 7th: I met up with my cousin who was in town, over from Melbourne (other side of the country), shared breakfast together before she had to return back for work, we also sent a card back with her for another family member.

February 8th: Visited my dad in his nursing home, only to discover one of his fellow housemates had passed away. Mum and I supported the family, whom we had gotten to know, and sent love to those who werent at the home then.

Mum and I also dropped flowers off to a friend who was having a particularly rough time of it. And  also helped my sister by baby sitting for a few hours. 

February 9th: I made a chocolate cake for a friends birthday.

February 10th: cooked dinner with my neice and nephew, and supported my mum after a particularly hard day. 

February 11th: Dropped off a birthday cake to a friends house, and helped clean up after an Engagement Party.

February 12th: Drove mum to church, and then took her to visit a friend afterwards. I also offered to do the washing up at a friends house after we had had dinner there.

February 13th (RAK WEEK): The start of RAK week went well with mum and I inviting the neighbors to come in and have a coffee and a chat and share some afternoon tea with us.

 

February 14th (RAK WEEK & Valentines Day): I sent messages to my close single friends to wish them a Happy Valentines Day (so they had a valentine). I also took myself to Kingspark Botanic Gardens, for some Kindness to myself. I had a Soy Chai Latte, and a big blueberry muffin and celebrated life as a single woman in the beauty of the park. I also contentedly watched all those couples who were together on Valentines walking through the part together, and was grateful that one day I will also be able to share Valentines day with the person I love. 

February 15th (RAK WEEK): represented my dad at his friends funeral (sadly dad wasn't well enough to go to the funeral). 

We also took dinner to my sisters house for her birthday. I also had my niece and nephew help me set it all up to make it "pretty" for her birthday.

February 16th (RAK WEEK): I helped my mum walk down to my dads house, and made the effort to smile at 5 strangers.

February 17th (RAK WEEK): I bought a wedding planner for a recently engaged friend.

February 18th (RAK WEEK): made the effort to talk to at least 5 strangers that I met throughout my day. I also organized a cake for my Nieces birthday party.

February 19th (RAK WEEK & My nieces 4th birthday party): I took responsibility of looking after dad, taking him to the toilet, keeping him well hydrated and keeping him out of the way of screaming/enthusiastic 4 year old girls. I also protected the cake until it was time for the cake to be cut.

February 20th: I got up early to drive mum to a doctors appointment. I also bought her lunch. 

February 21st: Took mum to a doctors appointment and then walked across to the hospital. She was admitted into hospital for surgery on her spine. I stayed with her until after closing hours. And I also held the elevator doors open for someone I didn't know.

February 22nd: Whilst mum was in surgery, they moved wards, as a bed became free. So i moved all her stuff to the new ward sot he hospital staff didn't have to do it. Also kept everyone informed about mums surgery, particularly friends and family.

February 23rd: Smiled at a sad looking stranger, who smiled back. I also continued to look after mums needs at the hospital and kept everyone informed. 

February 24th: Changed the sheets at home on both the beds, and did the washing, ready to bring mum home after her stay in hospital. 

February 25: Waited at the hospital for several hours until the doctor came and told mum she could go home. I took responsibility for her after surgery care by learning how to do the neck massage therapy and mums medications roster. 

I also made cups of tea for those who supported us by bringing dinner and care packages. THANK YOU so much to those that did this for us. You were life savers! :)

February 26th: Continued to take responsibility from mums massage therapy and medications. I also acted as mums secretary and made phone calls and informed people/doctors of progress.

February 27th: Looked after mum, who was still fairly bed ridden, and sorted out medications and changed her neck dressings. (Nurse Daena to the rescue! lol).

February 28th: Mum had her first outing and I made sure she didn't overdo it too much, and took her home as soon as she was very tired.

February 29th (Leap year day): I took mum out for a leisurely lunch (she was going stir crazy at home) and then we did some very brief food shopping before I took her home, as she was exhausted.

Well folks that was my February. Like I have said in previous posts, about mums hospital visit, I really take my hat off to the doctors, nurses and people who care. It is not an easy job to do, but it makes the world of difference to people like my mum and those who are suffering. Thank you!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this, as it is just a tiny incite into my life.

Much Love,
Daena

Happy Easter/ Blessed Passover/ Merry Ostara/Happy AutumnEquinox

Happy Easter to every one! For those not of the Christian Faith I wish you a Blessed Passover, Merry Ostara, and Happy Autumn Equinox (And i'm sure there are some i have forgotten too... so apologies!)

I had a very productive Easter Weekend. I did one of my kindnesses on Friday by baking a batch of Cupcakes for a friend to take to a hens day! My mum is the master of cakes, so this was a bit of a practice/learning experience to be doing it all on my own! Pretty happy with the end product! :) I was so excited to get baking that I even made a dessert to share for Sunday!

Here is a photo of me doing the baking...

Anyways, on Easter Saturday I did 8 hours of gardening in our tiny garden! (YES... it was that bad!).  The funny thing is there is still so much to do! Mum and i have not touched it as we have both been too exhausted to do anything with it for ages... the front of the house gets a bit more attention than the back. The back yard has been pretty much neglected for about 5 years! So hence the major job of cleaning up! I am counting this as my kindness for the day! This has actually done me some good (who could have thought that Gardening would be such an awesome workout!). Mum and I, both sat out on our front patio and enjoyed the view and had a cuppa and chatted! We have never done this together! It was wonderful! We both feel better about it!

On Sunday, I woke up at 5.30am for the Dawn Easter Service at my local Anglican Church! It was lovely! It also meant the end of lent - which meant that I had successfully given up Alcohol for the whole 40 days! So after the church service, the congregation had breakfast together! And I had a glass of champagne! YAY! :)

After church I picked up Mum and we headed to my sisters house for a family lunch! And by family, I mean all the extended family on my brother-in-laws side! We have all been friends for such a long time, I consider these people my family too (even though they aren't technically related to me!) We had such a good time, and all the adults enjoyed my alcoholic Baileys Chocolate Easter slice (that i had made on Friday).

Sunday evening, meant a quick visit to the Hospital, as mum was not doing very well. Some complications after surgery, which will be sorted out soon (hopefully).

Anyways, in my hours waiting in the hospital, there was a little Indigenous Australian girl (absolutely adorable), who was waiting with her mum and brother. After a while of making faces at each other and me making her giggle, I had a chance to talk to her mum. Her mum was a lovely lady who was worried and concerned for her kids. And like you can only do with a stranger, she told me the reasons she was in this waiting room with me. Sadly this little girls father is dying. Her mum was trying to make phone calls and in the innocence of a 3 year old, the little girl kept bugging her mum for money to use in the vending machines. So to give her mum some space to talk to the rest of the family, I entertained this little girl, until it was time to leave. I felt sad leaving... was there something else I could have done for them? But I waved and smiled as I left! I hope that by being an ear to hear and a playful person for an energetic child (aka a distraction), I made a small difference to that family! And even though I dont know their names, they will be in my thoughts/prayers!

I slept pretty well on Sunday! Had a nap during the day at my sisters house and then managed to have an early night at home (which is a miracle in itself).

The public Easter Holiday Monday, had me take BOTH my parents out to lunch! There is something to be said about taking both of your disabled parents out to lunch. We go to the same restaurant, when we take my dad out! He loves pasta and beer, and that's what he gets, on the occasions when we take him out of his nursing home. I love going to this restaurant because of one staff member in particular. He always meets us at the door, greets us like we are his favorite customers, smiles at us and shares jokes with us. He has in the past, given my dad a free glass of champagne on his birthday (which was very funny as the alcohol went straight to dads head and Dad sort of wobbled as he walked with his walking frame... drunken senior citizen! Very funny). Lunch is easy with my parents when we go and for me, that is the greatest kindness!

After taking dad back to his nursing home, mum and I went home and had our cup of tea (out the front). Then headed off to my aunts for dinner. Again I was spoilt, with not having to cook! And she taught me how to research my family ancestory... which I did for a few hours. Which was nice as it meant I kept out of trouble, and mum & my aunt got to chat!

Easter for me is spending time with family! For lots of people it is about eating chocolate... and I admit I have done my fair share... but I love just being with people and sharing time together. I guess because I am Australian (and we don't have "thanksgiving") Easter has become a family gathering when I get to be grateful for all those people in my life who make a difference to me, and whom I can share my life with!

I hope you all had a fun, productive and loving weekends! As I know I sure did!

Luv Daena x

Hospital...the easiest place to be kind!

Hey Everyone,
Sorry i haven't written in a while. things have been a bit crazy around here! Mum went into spinal surgery last week and i have been meaning to do a post about it! :) All went well which is amazing considering the delicacy of the procedure! But this means that i have spent a LOT of time of time waiting around at the Hospital! Funnily enough i tried to update this blog post whilst i was bored one of those times, but for some reason my phone is now pretending that it doesn't like my Blog! :S Phones... honestly who'd have technology?! (shhh....i know you do... me too!)

Anyways, as the phone and its internet connection were playing up i just used the notes section to jot down a few of my thoughts!

*warning... brain was slightly stressed so may not actually make sense in the long run!*

"Today my mum had very complex spinal surgury. Things about life and death are always very hard to deal with and i have been struggling! Yet I always find it amazing what happens at hospitals.

With the hours of waiting and watching i have seen the most amazing kindnesses (and experienced some for myself)! From asking a stranger if they are going up on an elevator (when they didn't see it open), to others chatting kindly to a sad and worried looking person. From trying to make someone else smile to bringing in something special from home to make sure the patient in hospitla feels more comfortable. From praying/sending thoughts for the person sick, to making a cup of tea for a relative that looks simply sad. I am coming to understand that the easiest way of sharing kindness is by going to a hospital.

Perhaps this ability to be kind stems from the very nature of work that occurs at a hospital. Healing! Love, Kindness, Generosity seem to be some of the characteristics that act as healing agents in Hospitals. Of course the hard work of those in the medical fields, and those that assist are clearly vital to health and well being!

I know the way the nursing staff took care of my mum was with kindness! They were patient, generous, and some rather comical (which made the serious nature of the surgery a little less terrifying). So thank you to all those who make a difference in their work! If you are a doctor, or a nurse or a support staff! Thank you for looking after our sick, sharing in our grief, welcoming new additions into families, making us feel welcome in a new place, smiling when you serve us a cup of tea, easing pain, laughing with us when we do something a little silly and simply being there when we need help! THANK YOU!"

 (*okay maybe it wasn't as incoherent as i thought it would be... that's good!*)

From someone how been helping mum now she is out of hospital, I appreciate all the little things that you did for her in there! So thanks!

Anyways, when i was sitting in the cafeteria on one of my endless waits at the hospital, I was reminded of the movie "Love Actually". The beginning of the movie is where people are being observed at the Airport, and the voice over (Hugh Grant to be precise) is noting that love is clearly visible at the airport. I thought that at Hospitals, kindness is clearly visible. And I remember thinking that (minus the grief and loss) that it would be a better place if we were like that all the time. Kind, i mean. I think people are more conscious of other people when they are at a hospital. And i think we need to be aware of others if we are to be kind in our everyday life.

Well, so much for this being a "short" blog post as I had first planned.

I hope all is going well with you all in your lives! And thanks for the friends and family who have supported me and mum over this last week! You have been lifesavers! SERIOUSLY! ;)

Luv Daena x