list 100 things for which I am grateful

during an intriguing phone call, that was quite difficult because we were discussing something that her dad does not know about, with him sitting next to me, that I am

FABULOUS.

How’s that?

cared to listen when I phoned her to say I was stressed.

She reminded mw that I have choices.

secret even though I felt as though I was exploding.

that are far removed from reality.

from both of my children today – daughter from London (I know she is feeling affectionate when she calls me Mumsels). I’m in trouble when she calls me ‘snarl’ – which is a clever twist on my name anyway.

And som called from Japan to say he’s feeling flustered because he is busy. Then we had a brief discussion on musical theatre and he said that the best birthday gift we ever gave him was tickets to the opera Don Giovanni for his 16th birthday. I had forgotten that.

when I wanted to visit her in London.

Call on the healing gods.

yesterday after she had finished work.

She had a ‘welcome’ bag for me which contained:

a funny wooden cut out reindeer (from Finland);
a couple of pencils from Finland;
a marimikko pencil bag from Finland;
a super box of pencils and an eraser from the British library;
some crystallised ginger from greece;
a stylish set of cheese and pickle cutlery ‘helmi’style, from Finland;
tickets for Verdi’s Requiem at the Barbican on Saturday.

How’s that for a welcome?

She’s thoughtful that way.

esepcially by my immediate family. A warm and regarding embrace enfolds me constantly.

I often wonder why I have the temerity ever to be down hearted.

because I worried when I heard that there were floods somewhere in Greece where she is visiting a varsity friend. Of course, she is miles from the trouble spot.

I am glad that we can laugh about maternal worries and foibles.

funny, compassionate daughter.

Isn’t she something?