A Gift that Money Can’t Buy

The Rideau River

I took my grandchildren to the Annual Biology Butterfly Show at Carleton University six years ago. Alongside that building runs the magnificent Rideau River, one of my favourite spots. If you click on the banner photo, you get a better view of my granddaughter Sophie enjoying that special moment just as I was. It was a crisp fall morning, and I wondered at the time if her dreamy expression imagined being an astronaut when she grew up, which was her passion at 12.

Fast-forward to today, and I was back at that river after waving goodbye to Sophie at her residence. This is her first semester in the Neuroscience degree program, which she loves, and she had invited me to attend one of her lectures.

And this is the gift that money can’t buy.

On my Birthday in September, I received a beautiful card with a handwritten invitation from Sophie. It was a long and generous note, and to my surprise and delight, she had invited me to attend a lecture of my choice with her. Because she wrote, “I know you love learning, Nana.” I was thrilled by the invitation and deeply touched by her thoughtfulness.

Today was the day!

I met her outside the lecture hall and had the privilege and the joy of attending a fabulous lecture with her neuroscience professor. I was engrossed for the entire 80 minutes and restrained myself from asking a question or two. (she had gently cautioned me :-)) We then had lunch in her cafeteria, which is beautifully designed and filled with light. Furthurmore, the food was delicious.

I floated across campus –

thinking how lucky I was to have a granddaughter who knew how much this would mean to me.

So, during these times of uncertainty, I continue to think about how important it is to keep our minds and hearts focused on where we are. What can we do right here, and who can we do it with? What is there to be enjoyed? Let’s not miss the chance to enjoy these precious moments. To splurge with our kind words.To stop and enjoy the sunlight shining through coloured leaves.

It may be time to send postcards and gifts to people we love who are suffering. These are reminders that they are loved and that we are still breathing. If we are breathing, there are possibilities.

Let me thank Sophie, who may or may not read this blog, for my life’s most unique and beautiful birthday gift. That invitation wraps up a whole world of precious memories.

Notes:

1:)Here is a link to a piece of music that might make you smile. I played it in my webinar last Friday and we enjoyed it. Perhaps some of you remember the Travelling Willbury’s. They only made two albums, and the group was made up of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. This is a great rollicking song – End of the Line

2:) Several years ago I was sitting around a table with friends and someone asked this question – what would you buy if money was no object? Everyone came up with something they would like to do but the one person in the room who had a great deal of wealth said this: “If money could buy it I could have it. Unfortunately, anything I want, money can’t buy.” The room became silent as the significance of those words struck us.

So, inspired by Sophie’s gift to me, I have a question for all of us: What gifts can I/we give that money can’t buy?

3:) And now I will say farewell for this week. May you do the best you can with whatever is going on in your daily life. I recommend finding something or someone to praise or to thank. It is Wednesday, so I always get to thank the people who pick up our garbage and recycling. I am deeply grateful for their efforts. All my best wishes, and thanks to you for stopping by here. Kindest regards, Trudy

PS I feel like I am forgetting something important I wanted to tell you, but sadly, I have no idea what it is. Maybe next week.:-))