A Friday Flower and hope...

It is bitterly cold here in New Jersey. Once upon a time, this would have been a day where I'd have waved the hubby goodbye at the door, and then snuggled up on the couch with my little ones all day... but times are 'a changing...  I now have to bundle us all up and get my eldest to Pre-K ('nursery' for anyone outside the States), much to my youngest daughters displeasure. It feels like a whole lot of effort for a mere 3 hours break. By the time I've dropped her off, settled her in the classroom, cajoled my other one back into the car, and then driven home, it's almost time to think about heading back! Needless to say, on days when it's this cold, I do mull over the possibility of us all staying at home... Does that make me a bad Mum? Wait, don't answer that.

Anyhoo, even though it is in the low teens here (Fahrenheit), I know that we are heading in the right direction... shops are, once again, full of Spring flowers... from hyacinth bulbs, to narcissus, to daffodils and, my favourite, tulips. Spring flowers, so vibrant in colour, so delicate and yet so hardy. A symbol of new beginnings, fresh starts, and better things to come.

With this sentiment in mind, I would like to dedicate my Friday Flower this week to all those individuals that have been tragically effected by the floods in Queensland, Australia. The stories that have come out of this disaster are beyond comprehension... families dealing with the loss of fathers, mothers, and, most tragically, children. Dealing with the loss of their homes... a sacred place to all individuals... Some things can be replaced, but not all... All we can hope for is that time will heal and that each day is a step in the right direction.

If you would like to donate to the Queensland Flood Appeal, please click here.

Take care all and wishing you all a relaxing weekend...
Lx