Month: June 2015

Like Father, Like daughter #inspiration

I saw a meme that said a girl’s dad is her first hero…..

I was a girl that loved her dad, he was funny and his laugh was so true it made you smile inside and out. I grew up and of course I did things that I know disappointed my dad – dropping out of my law degree and having a baby at 20 ( yes these were major).

Yet,  when my dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour – Life was changed forever.

The man I took for granted – My dad who would help me no matter what I did or said, My dad who loved my son and would spend his time off looking after him so I could go to work, My dad that took me on holidays that created wonderful memories.My dad that would put on some music and dance with us all.

My Dad, a man who left school at 15 to be a footballer ( he played for Arsenal Youth ), who was a pipefitter when he lost his football career to injury , worked his way up to take his qualifications and finally got the job he truly loved when he was 48. He worked hard and paid to get a degree and then he got his masters.( sadly he did not get to ever put this after his name)

A year later , I kissed my Dad goodbye for the last time …

Time passed and I began my degree in Midwifery – so many moments along the way I had just wanted to share with him. I wanted to show him the things I was doing , the little things that made me smile and hear him laugh again.I wanted him to say I was doing great and that I could do anything I set my mind too.

Lately I have been asked ” Why are you doing all this extra stuff ?” ( NBFLN, TimeToGrow, RCMSMF and of course a cheeky blog ). I answer “because I want to and because I love it ” . I remember my dad working on his degree , papers everywhere, covering the conservatory floor , dad with a pen behind each ear and his posh fountain pen in his hand writing for hours. He did it all whilst working full time , being a dad, husband  and wonderful graggy ( my son’s peculiar name for him).  He worked hard to reach his goal ….and  I suppose the truth is so am I. I am as my mother says” my fathers’s daughter ” , though she does tend to use this when it comes to my driving and odd rituals of parking in the same space at the supermarket !!.

So Today I write this and give thanks for having a dad like mine.

My Dad – My Hero …. My inspiration.

#sometimessuperheroesgotoheaven.

Its Raining ,its Pouring but not on my Path of Sunshine #Positivity

Cordy's Blog

The rain is non-stop , the sky is grey , the wind is blowing and it could make me feel blue. Still,today as I sit at my laptop ; I feel happy with sunshine in my life. The happiness of sunshine comes from within as I recognise my life as it is. I have a great life , wonderful sons , supportive husband , friends that I cherish and I am fulfilled .What a great feeling that is…

Yet, the path I walk on to midwifery is a challenge as it can feel so overwhelming. The feelings evoked by others, the time that passes so quickly with deadlines looming, the childcare arrangements that need to fit to an off duty and the balancing act of my life. I suppose you could say it is like todays weather , some days it is raining and grey when you feel like you have taken on too much. Those days are the days when the training…

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THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON.

THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON.
“Your life is like a balloon. If you never let yourself go, you will never know how far you can rise.” – Linda Poindexter 

There is a famous mural by the artist Banksy on the South Bank in London. The mural shows a grey and drab background. It is colourless and features a staircase. It is not the sort of place people stop. It is the sort of place people pass by and through. Yet there is something happening here. A small girl is stood with her arm outstretched. A short distance from her hand is a bright red balloon in the shape of a heart. Is she letting go or catching the balloon? On the staircase the words “There is always hope” appear. The work to us is a picture of some deep realities and meanings. In this blog we will touch on some of them.
The scenery is grey and seems meaningless. It is the sort of place we have all walked passed without noticing. It is like so many other places in our life. Scenery not sense. Part of the city furniture not part of our purpose. Life can seem meaningless at times. It can – even in the brightest outer weather – seem grey. There is a lesson here. If we just look at this side we may get down and lost. There is another picture. There is another story.
A young girl with a balloon is present. The young girl perhaps calls us to learn from children. It may represent child- like hearts and openness to new things. The girl seems to be linked to another possibility and purpose than her background. Her purpose is the red balloon. Is she reaching out for it or is she surrendering it to the wind? To us the picture says that in the drabness and tiredness of life we have to reach out for our dreams and release our qualities into the world. 
And then there is the words ‘There is always Hope’ Written in the scenery is the call that there is also the possibility of a different tomorrow and life. The young girl seems to be the incarnation of the words as if the words have become real and alive. The work offers the picture of hope amidst the sameness. It offers a young heart hoping and sharing dreams. Perhaps that is something we can all do and choose to be.
Hope has a beautiful sister. She is gentle as a baby’s hand and as powerful as a laser. Her name is love. The balloon is heart-shaped. The shape represents kindness, goodness and love. In the centre of the mundane is found the magic – an open heart and hope. In difficult times we must start afresh and keep reaching for the balloon – sharing and caring with love is what makes a difference to those we have the honour to be with.
One of the most wonderful vocations is midwifery. Midwives and midwife students describe how awed they are when they see a mother hold her new born child ( skin to skin – heart to heart ) . One shared her thoughts with us. She wrote of ‘The look on a mother’s face as she sees her child for the first time. It gives me chills and makes my heart soar. Joy , Amazement ,Adoration ,Love … It’s like their love is bigger than the room – it’s so wonderful to see.’ In the midst of this there is that loving gaze from mother to child and child to mother. Mother lost in contemplation of her baby. No words are necessary. Love reigns. We have those loving gazes at other times too. From friends, partners and kind people. We are also capable of offering these loving gazes flowing from hearts like that balloon. It is when we see the beautiful and become present in its presence that this happens. It is when we find our red balloons and offer and receive these loving gazes that we know – despite the greyness and drabness- life is colour and beautiful.
Nat Corden
John Walsh