The one with the proud mum

Usually my ten year old son greets me in the playground after school with a smile - but last Thursday was a different story all together.  Looking down at his feet, he slowly made his way over to where I stood.  After offering only a very quiet 'hi', he waited beside me for my nieces to come out of their classrooms.  I suspected the worst.  There I stood, pretending to search intently for the girls, when really I mentally prepared my 'it's ok, you tried your best, that is all that counts' speech.  You see, today had been a big day for him.  Having been elected onto the school council the week before, this was the day he would stand in front of the whole school and give a speech explaining why he should be elected as Chair.  His face and manner suggested the day hadn't gone all that well.

We stood in the playground for what seemed like eternity, when I took the plunge and asked how his day had gone.  'How has your day been?'  I casually asked, trying not to visibly cringe as I waited for his disheartened response. Still looking down, he answered, 'Not so good' - and just as I was about to launch into my speech, he added - 'I only got voted in as Chair!'  The toad!!

Looking pleased with himself after the elections :)

Pride began to rise up within me, quickly doing away with all the feelings of dread that had occupied my mind only seconds ago.  My boy had done it.

As I walked back to the car listening to his account of the day, it dawned on me that I would have been just as proud of him had his response to my question been different.  You see, his attitude towards the elections had, in my opinion, been exemplary.  This is why ...

The one with the Starbucks story

A light-hearted blog today :)

Anyone who knows me well will know of my love of Starbucks.  There is something special about going into a good Starbucks store early in the morning, grabbing a Chai Tea Latte, finding the comfy sofa in the corner and settling down for an hour (or three!).  I love it!  I love the drink - I love the atmosphere - but most of all - I love the people watching!!

Many times I have sat in Starbucks in Basingstoke and watched people.  I watch as young people come in and chat excitedly with friends and as Mothers steal a quiet few minutes whilst their baby sleeps in the buggy.  I watch as business meetings take place and bookworms lose themselves in the pages of a good book.  I watch everything!

Why?  Because people are interesting.

No two people share a personality.  They each embody a unique mix of memories, experiences, hopes and fears.  Everyone has their own story to tell - and - as the Starbucks mug pictured above states - STORIES ARE GIFTS

The stories of others enrich our lives.  They add colour to our world and new dimensions to our  understanding.  They dig deep into our emotions, and rejuvenate our imagination.  They truly are gifts.

Let's recognise this and create opportunities for people to share their story with us, and allow our own story to be sensitively spoken as a gift to others.

Give time, give attentiveness and give of ourselves.