Month: August 2024

Aug.14, 2024

~ kwdcanuck ~ 1 Comment

The coffee is almost ready.
The buns are done, freshly baked just now. Brunch in the garden is fitting for today. It’s my mum’s birthday today. 93 years young as we say. She made it to 92 and a half.
Those half years were so important when I was a kid. I imagine they were for my mum as she got older.

I baked today. I have done “mum” things this morning. My mum baked, especially when I was younger. Coming home from school, there would be freshly baked muffins or buns or oatmeal cookies, the very thin and crispy ones that mum always made. The recipe was in her head and in her hands.


There are things I don’t have to do today – send flowers, write a birthday card, calculate the time difference – still 6 hours – and call at the right time. The normal routine on this day for the past 30 some years with some exceptions. Living on two different continents does that.


Today, I have thought about my mum, and smiled. A very special lady my mum. Her friends would tell you so as well. I have remembered her laugh, her smile, her funny walk that she shared with my aunt, her twin sister. The way our home was open to friends and family, her sneezing. She held the family record of 22 in a row. The way she could calm my worries, the absolutely unconditional love she had for me and for her grandson. The hugs, full on, arms holding tight kind of hugs and during her last months, the “mmmm” that accompanied our hugs that expressed so much.  I reflected on her unwavering friendship. I saw in my mind’s eye, how her face shone when she said I love you – so deeply felt. I love you too mum. Happy birthday. Blow out your 93 candles. I bought you flowers, I hope you like them.

One habit that brings you joy

~ kwdcanuck ~ Leave a comment

My morning coffee… Can you smell it? Can you feel it? Can you taste it?

After completing my morning ritual of having a shower and getting dressed, I progress to the moment of ultimate joy in my day, everyday. Be it Monday or Saturday, at home or away, I tred quietly into the kitchen. I choose the cup of the day – sometimes one that brings reflection, sometimes one that makes me smile, sometimes one that prompts a memory. I open the fridge, take out the milk and pour half a cupful into my chosen cup. A splash of cream to make the flavour full. A couple of steps to the microwave to warm up the milk. Beep, beep, beep. Cup in hand I turn to my little handy Nespresso machine. First, froth the milk. Next, choose the coffee – should it be ristretto strong to open the eyes and kickstart the brain or espresso taste to smoothly transition into the day. I choose. Capsule in, cup under, button pushed. An espresso size to get the most strength. I wait. The coffee pours into the hot, frothy milk. Mmmm. I wait. I press the button once again, freeing more delicious, steamy coffee to flow into my morning cup. Two hands on the warm cup standing in the back doorway gazing sleepily at the garden. Up to my nose to catch a waft of the wake-up magic. To my lips to sip the fragrant liquid gold, feeling it glide down my throat, my taste buds peaked at the flavour of, well, my morning.

Daily writing prompt
Describe one habit that brings you joy.
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Cosmos

~ kwdcanuck ~ Leave a comment

Falling up,
My imagination flies to the stars.
Past the dark sky, past the full moon,
Past sparkling stars, past unexplored galaxies,
Past sudden black holes, past silently gliding satellites,
Past shooting stars streaking across my path.
Comfort is the black dark night.
Comfort is the bright full moon.
Comfort is the sparkling stars in random formation.
Disappearing in the cosmos,
With the universe unfolding.
With the engulfing arms of darkness wrapped around my sorrowful shoulders,
I rest, in the dark night, comforted in my grief.