Splashes of delight

Tonight its Guy Fawkes.  What is it about sending up large amounts of money in smoke that is so appealing?
Actually I have to confess I have a soft spot for the random momentary beauty and delight of a star burst of colour exploding against a darkened sky.  I don't like the noise though and it always bothers me about the poor animals. 

Heard an appalling cruelty case on the radio today about a blackbird found dead with multiple exploded fireworks taped to its poor body.  What horrendous cruelty and what are we breeding in society if people cannot feel empathy for animals?  Studies have linked animal cruelty with a lack of empathy and violence toward persons in adult life.

Having said that the beauty and randomness of exploding sky fireworks (when protected from the noise of them) reminds me of the way joy bursts in on life.  It is often caused by a quick flash of delight, there for an instant then no longer visible but deep inside our minds and hearts we can treasure it and multiple moments form inner streams of joy.  So a splash of momentary delight can become sustaining food for the journey when we harvest it and let ourselves recall the delight it bought.

Today my splash of delight was listening to Matthew laugh.  There is perhaps no more beautiful sound than that of a young child laughing. He was playing hide and seek in the curtain and the expectation of being found and tickled was overwhelmingly funny and delightful for him.  A little childs laughter is spontaneous and unfeigned born of pure delight and it has a particular quality of sound I can only describe as joy.  I am sure it is one of the most pure sounds in the universe and I am convinced that heaven will have an abundance of it because if it brings such delight and joy to us, imagine what joy it brings to the Fathers heart. in fact Jesus promised laughter in heaven when he said; "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh." (Lk 6:21) 

Perhaps those who perpetrate cruelty have never had the chance to laugh because laughter comes from security, safety, acceptance, trust and happiness. A life filled with lots of laughter born of being loved, accepted and delighted in is a life that will have the capacity for love, respect, empathy and delight in others. So today amidst tiredness and a grotty blind pimple on my face, (you'd think I'd have grown out of them by now!) I have rejoiced in a splash of delight and been the better for it. 

I feel good about frittering away time on play and failing to get all the sensible things like the dishes and the vacuuming, the beds changed and the ironing done, because I know I have stored away special laughter splashes of delight in the heart of a little boy and for that I praise God and am grateful and my own heart has been blessed.  Happy Guy Fawkes and many delight splashes.

Wonderful Waiheke Weekend

Well the wanderers have returned after a simply magical weekend away on Waiheke (flowing waters).  It was our 33rd wedding anniversary and a treat from Stuarts work for 40 years service.  Hard to beleive where the years all went.

We stayed at the Te Whau lodge which is toward the back of the Island and very quiet with extraordianry views of both Waiheke and Auckland city in the distance.  The sun sets with exquisite beauty right over the CBD.  In fact you can see from Maraetai right up to the North Shore and beyond one way, and over the Island toward Coromandel and out to sea the other.



33 years celebrated at Te Whau Lodge



We wined and dined in luxury and while I certainly would not want to do it all the time it was delicious and great fun being pampered and spoilt just for one weekend. There is something about the tidiness of a hotel that can be a bit off putting to a mild messy like me but this one managed to be welcoming and almost a bit homey without losing any professional flair.  Little things like a book of short stories beside the bed, themed rooms, (ours was the sea) hand made soaps, a hand gathered mini sewing kit and a baby pair of binoculars and torch were all special little things that made you feel welcome not an intruder about to mess up the tidy space. Little touchs of kind thoughtfulness which  somehow gave me the sense the room knew how to be comfortable with people and enjoyed them.  I guess the rooms reflected the owners, they definitely knew how to be comfortable with people, enjoyed them and allowed them to feel relaxed in their world.  Hospitality is such a great gift and it was in everything they did, it is just sort of who they are. Special thanks to Liz and Gene.

Now the funny thing is what greets me right outside the bedroom window first thing Sat morning...you guessed it...a Tui.  Almost close enough to touch.

Wouldn't stay still for good pic though.

So had to make do with fuzzy shots but you get the idea.  It was quite magical to wake up to and I have forgiven them for their morning chorus.

Since getting home I've had a tidy bug.  been clearing out drawers and cupboards and wanting to set house in order. Even cut up some old clothes for rags that I have been hanging on to interminably. Funny what a weekend of space, beauty  and kindness can do.

 Here are some pics of our magical escape.

Rangitoto in the distance



Walking home with a rest on the way after yet more food and wine lol





Sat morning sunrise



Beautifl inlets like fiords all over the Island

 



Back to Auckland CBD
Missed geting a sunset shot but you can
just imagine it.


 



The view out one side of Te Whau point vineyard