Flowers, ice-cream and magic…

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Sue Vincent

Apart from the simple act that I was still here to register it and groan, the day did not start well. Pain woke me… another one of those vicious circles where, if I get a good night’s sleep, I have moved too little to ease the pain overnight and wake desperate for relief. The next few hours are spent trying to get comfortable and throwing all the pain meds possible at my body. It is unfortunate, but the alternative is even less attractive and would let me get even less work done.

There comes a point, most days, when you wonder if it is worth it. When you ask yourself whether just laying down and going to sleep for good would not be a better option. I can no longer walk properly unaided. Have just restricted vision in one eye, no energy and am unable to fend for myself. Physically, I’m ‘neither use nor ornament’ as we say in Yorkshire.

“There’s someone outside with a card,” said my Stuart, heading to open the door, later that afternoon. I heard a muffled conversation from my perch at the computer… and a few moments later was in possession of a beautiful basket of pastel-coloured plants, all in flower and a wonderful selection of luxuriously decadent ice-creams.

At the moment, as things degenerate a bit, eating has become problematic. The strangest things go down easily… the things you would think would be easy to swallow get stuck. The one thing you can say for sure is that I am definitely better hydrated than at any time in my life, as I have to have a water ‘chaser’ after almost every bite. Which takes all the flavour and pleasure out of eating…

But not, apparently, with luxury ice cream. Or Arran tablet.  These I can eat… enjoy… relish… I may have to live on the stuff.

There was no name on the card, but there was a clue as it spoke of the Silent Eye… and half a name and location had come with the delivery… a friend of a friend of the donor, who lives in a village close by,  and who had been willing to act as personal shopper and courier, bless her.

I tracked down the sender, knowing his penchant for making sure everyone is well supplied with the small, but all important, niceties of life. It was he who had invariably turned up for all to the workshops with strawberries, sweets and enough chocolate to feed a small army. Later, I found there are others involved… and although one of them I know, the rest for the moment, remain a mystery.

I want to hug them all… even if it is only with what is left of my voice over the phone.

Much of yesterday was spent thinking about funeral arrangements… my own. It ended with the virtual embrace of friends and in laughter. The morning began with a card… filled with individual messages from friends whose presence in my life and heart spans decades and worlds… but always leads back to love and magic. It takes so little to turn a day on its head, turning the perception upside down and giving it a new and more beautiful perspective.

The flowers, being rooted, will live longer than me. The ice-cream may make it through the day… but I am not promising anything. But the warmth of the gesture means everything. That friends, even in this time of restrictions and travel bans, find and make time and ways to ‘visit’… and in such a practical manner, means so much.

With so much of your life and perceived identity being nibbled away by the demands of cancer or any other long term illness, it is the things that affirm that you are still who you have always been that take on a deeper meaning, Easy too to lose sight of why we choose to remain and not give up the ghost before our time. It is for the friends and those we love who will share an old, half-forgotten joke… or who turn up with your favourite chocolate bar… or who pass the tissue before it is needed, knowing that it will be.

These are the things and the people that matter… they make life worth the living. No matter how much the physical world seems to shrink around you, as access to it is cut off by restrictions, health and mobility… the landscape of the heart is an infinitely wide place to run free and play with those we love.

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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115 Responses to Flowers, ice-cream and magic…

  1. lssattitudeofgratitude says:
    March 10, 2021 at 06:17

    “…the landscape of the heart is an infinitely wide place to run free and play with those we love.” Such beautiful true words.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
  3. Ritu says:
    March 10, 2021 at 06:36

    Beautiful thoughts, Sue 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Chel Owens says:
    March 10, 2021 at 06:36

    ❤❤ Happy ice cream moment, Sue.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Books & Bonsai says:
    March 10, 2021 at 07:00

    Where will we be, Sue, without your timely reminders of what truly matters?

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  7. By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff says:
    March 10, 2021 at 07:06

    Sigh. This is so beautiful written Sue. You truly are a beautiful soul.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  8. willowdot21 says:
    March 10, 2021 at 07:42

    Beautiful friends of the heart. Bless them all . May the ice cream keep flowing 💜💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. restlessjo says:
    March 10, 2021 at 07:51

    That last sentence says it all, Sue. So glad there are so many kind people in your world, but it’s not hard to understand why. 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  10. Sadje says:
    March 10, 2021 at 07:54

    What a thoughtful and beautiful gesture. Enjoy the ice cream and take it with the love of so many people here on WP. 🤗 and love 💗

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. KL Caley says:
    March 10, 2021 at 08:14

    Beautiful words Sue and what a lovely kind gesture.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Jane Dougherty says:
    March 10, 2021 at 08:36

    ‘neither use nor ornament’ I haven’t heard anyone (but me) use that expression for decades probably. About the same time I heard ‘you make a better door than a window’.
    Just so you know, Sue, the next person to expound on the enormous and admirable ‘strength’ of women like Saint Meghan, Saint Beyoncé and Saint Emma will be frog marched in the direction of your blog.

    Liked by 4 people

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  13. Pingback: Flowers, ice-cream and magic… — Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo – yazım'yazgısı (typography)

  14. barbtaub says:
    March 10, 2021 at 09:09

    “you are still who you have always been”–and you’ve always been someone who loves friends, family, tablet, flowers, and premium ice cream. And you’re the one who inspires love in others. You always have been.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  15. Goff James says:
    March 10, 2021 at 10:16

    Beautiful penmanship [Should that be pen’woman’ship or pen’person’ship or just plain pen-ship?] as usual, laced with wonderful thoughts. Ah those treasures – Love, ice cream and flowers. Such a privilege to have been a small part of knowing and sharing you. Sock it to them, lass!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. artbychristinemallabandbrown says:
    March 10, 2021 at 11:09

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sue. Sending very gentle virtual hugs

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. Annette Rochelle Aben says:
    March 10, 2021 at 11:22

    Simple gifts rock! Thank you for the gifts you share, simply and with love! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. Darlene says:
    March 10, 2021 at 12:32

    How special. Enjoy every bite of that ice cream!! Sending love. xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
    March 10, 2021 at 12:36

    That last sentence is one of the most beautifully powerful things I’ve ever read. Sending you a heart full of love. ❤️💕

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  20. Alethea Kehas says:
    March 10, 2021 at 13:00

    Chris is a wonder, for sure. And, Ali! Lots of hearts went into those endeavors, but they took the reins and made it all happen. You are surrounded by love even when we can’t be near. ❤️🌷

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. Gwen M. Plano says:
    March 10, 2021 at 13:46

    As always, so lovely…. 💗

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  23. Alexander Elliott says:
    March 10, 2021 at 14:03

    Hoping you have many more days filled with kindness, love, and special treats! Love and Hugs!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  24. D. Wallace Peach says:
    March 10, 2021 at 15:21

    “the landscape of the heart is an infinitely wide place to run free and play with those we love.” Beautiful, Sue. Enjoy your flowers and ice cream (if it isn’t already gone) and the wonderful connections with all those you care about you and love you. ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  25. pensitivity101 says:
    March 10, 2021 at 16:14

    Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
    Another wonderful piece from Sue, sharing her most precious gift of time and love from her dearest friends. The flowers are beautiful, and the ice cream equally well received.
    ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  26. pensitivity101 says:
    March 10, 2021 at 16:17

    So wonderful Sue. Hope you enjoyed the ice cream. Hubby will understand about the water chasers to get things down. Thinking of you today.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  27. kittysverses says:
    March 10, 2021 at 16:28

    Beautiful words and a lovely gesture, Sue. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  28. fransiweinstein says:
    March 10, 2021 at 16:43

    I’ve come to realize, through my own journey, that people are so eager to help. To be involved, to do whatever needs doing, to be there in whichever way they can. In whichever way you want them to be. And I’ve also come to realize it helps and comforts them every bit as much as it does us. It is a beautiful thing. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  29. Becky Ross Michael says:
    March 10, 2021 at 18:07

    Such lovely gifts and friends, Sue! I will remember your phrase about the landscape of the heart and what you have learned, hoping to learn from that, as well.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  30. Widdershins says:
    March 10, 2021 at 21:36

    Bet there’s not much of that icecream left! … did Ani help you snarf it? 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  32. Bela Johnson says:
    March 10, 2021 at 23:45

    Many points you touch upon are core, I think, to the human condition. It’s like 60 years of life are compressed into a moment in time. I find when I make myself vulnerable enough, people pull out all the stops to be present and helpful. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, and may these loved ones fill you with so much grace, that comfort spreads to every cell. Blessings, dear Sue, wherever your journey takes you. 🙏💞

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  33. Robert says:
    March 11, 2021 at 00:01

    💐 ❤️ x

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  34. Eliza Waters says:
    March 11, 2021 at 00:57

    Friends bearing gifts of love, flowers and ice cream… now that is a wonderful thing. 🙂 ❤
    Sending you and Ani hugs. x

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  36. TamrahJo says:
    March 11, 2021 at 03:28

    The heart and ice cream have much in common – doesn’t take much for them to melt – :). ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  37. queadrian says:
    March 11, 2021 at 03:29

    Thinking of You a lot,
    Love You very much Sue.❤❤❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  38. Victoria Zigler says:
    March 11, 2021 at 07:56

    What a wonderful gift, and a beautiful post too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  39. thereluctantpoet says:
    March 11, 2021 at 17:04

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
    Come read Sue’s post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  40. Jim Borden says:
    March 11, 2021 at 18:50

    what a beautiful closing sentence – I hope you enjoyed the ice cream!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  41. memadtwo says:
    March 11, 2021 at 22:57

    The things that affirm you are who you have always been…yes, that’s what everyone needs. Such a wonderful and thoughtful gesture. (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  42. OIKOS™-Editorial says:
    March 12, 2021 at 12:19

    Great surprise! She is thinking on her funeral? No, no Lady! Not so fast. We have to get much more information about Ani, the hidden gems of the landscape, and so much other things more. Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  43. Jennie says:
    March 13, 2021 at 02:32

    Love and magic. You had a great day, Sue. A very great day.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  44. Sharda says:
    March 13, 2021 at 20:14

    Wishing you that you feel better. Lots of love to you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  46. noelleg44 says:
    March 16, 2021 at 17:12

    I can see you with that ice cream, Sue. If you were like my grandson, it would be all over your face. What lovely, thoughtful gifts!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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