The Magic Hand

Oh, the magic hand, the magic hand!
It moves like this, it moves like that ... AND
It moves paper through the air, both to the left and the right,
So your scissors cut the paper without much fight!

Oh, the magic hand, the magic hand!

It moves like this, it moves like that ... AND

It moves paper through the air, both to the left and the right,

So make sure your thumb is up on top and in plain sight!

Oh, the magic hand, the magic hand!

It moves like this, it moves like that ... AND

It moves paper through the air, both to the left and the right,

So hold the largest bit of paper to cut off the smallest white!

Oh, the magic hand, the magic hand!

It moves like this, it moves like that ... AND

It moves paper through the air, both to the left and the right,

So your scissors are cutting straight and the shapes are right!

(Adapted from Mem Fox for teaching children how to cut-out properly)

A memory stirred ...

A memory stirs. It comes from somewhere forgotten. The memory looms closer until the light shines upon it, thus banishing it from the darkness.

How long will it stay? Should I let the memory go or encourage my conscious to explore the scene now illuminated?

A boy and a girl sit alone in a sunlit room, each reading a book.

Feelings of companionship circulate and warm my body. I decide to let it stay with me. I am comfortable now to explore ...

They glance occasionally at each other and smile; there is no need to talk. This is a special moment. They can hear the world going along on its usual business outside. Somehow they find themselves in a time capsule, where even the hands of the noisy clock upon the wall seem to have slowed.

The connection between the boy and girl has been evident before now, but neither of them realised its depth until this moment.

Other memories are trying to enter the spotlight now. They are a mixture of new and old, and threaten to sabotage the clarity of the first memory. The peace has been shattered. Yet, I am not ready to give up -- I decide to shut the door on the other memories and drift back to the room from fifteen years ago ...

Who is this girl? I cannot recognise her. She is full of self-doubt and criticism, yet there is an abundance of hope and enthusiasm that she has for the future. What a contradiction. She is yet to understand herself and trust that she can face the world around her without a mask.

And what of the boy? Who was he back then? I cannot get a clear feeling about him. He seems closed off from the emotional world. He is so different from the man he has now become.

It is almost time to leave ... The shadows of the present are falling over them, casting different feelings and memories between the boy and the girl.

Neither the boy nor the girl knew the connection was more than friendship. Both of them had someone back "home" in the world far beyond the one they worked in every day for weeks at a time. It took them some six months to disentangle themselves from their previous lives in order to be free to unite as a couple in love.

Perspective

Perspective is an amazing thing ...

It is a thing required by artists, such as photographers, painters and architects. But perspective is also a thing that normal, every-day people require too -- we just don't always know it.

Whilst some people dwell on whether their outfit makes them look fat or not, whether their hair is too frizzy or dull, or whether their house is perfect like in magazines ... others dwell on whether they will be able to feed their family, whether they will find the strength to get out of bed because of depression, or whether they will survive the beating or verbal abuse likely to come their way.

However, perspective can be elusive. Often it is gained once a struggle or difficulty has been surpassed -- such that one can look back over recent events and realise the insignificance of it all. Should one feel guilty? I don't think so. Yet, the event can be filed for future reference in order prevent a loss of perspective under similar circumstances.

I am constantly reminded of the importance of perspective. Last week I enjoyed a wonderful few days away with my two children ... we read books, played games, went shopping, collected shells, stayed up late and snuggled in bed until the sun shone through the window. It was bliss. I realised the long, hard grind of recent months ensuring the girls were well nourished, rested, educated and challenged now paved the way for us to relax and strengthen our bond under more joyful circumstances. Thus, I realised that although learning is important ... so is relaxation and family unity. There is need to make time for both.

As two of my closest friends are currently dealing with the reality of a parent with terminal cancer, I know the importance of keeping perspective about my day-to-day dramas. Like the fact that I spent 40 minutes this morning herding a run-away cat back into its owner's house! Grrrr. And I would dearly love to take away the mental anguish my two friends are suffering, but I know the importance of having someone simply be there to listen or to hug or to just be with ...

Today, I can look back over the de-railment of my own life over the last three years (due to grief upon the loss of my grandmother) and make this experience assist me to be the best supportive friend I can be. In addition, I can use a sense of perspective to realise recent disappointments will not prevent me from successfully moving along my chosen path. :)

Hold my hand ...

Hold my hand, oh little one

Hold it nice and tight,
Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it with all your might.

Today you've entered the big, wide world
And they've given me the chance to tend you're every need,
Tomorrow we're going on this journey together
Both of us unsure of what lies ahead, indeed.

Hold my hand, oh little one

Hold it nice and tight,

Hold my hand, oh little one

Hold it with all your might.

You may be small and the youngest of us by far
But your instinct about what you want is overwhelmingly strong,
I need to keep calm and listen to all your cries
As to underestimate your sense of self would be quite wrong.

Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it nice and tight,
Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it with all your might.

There is so much to learn from one another
To think of all our future challenges brings up a sense of fear,
However, you know and feed off all my emotions

So I am keeping myself strong and positive, my dear.

Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it nice and tight,
Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it with all your might.

Well, my child, the years are simply slipping by
You've reached an age now where I'm needed oh so rarely,

Indeed, when my face at school is deemed so uncool

Then I know it is time to let you go, albeit warily.

Let go my hand, oh little one

It is time for your maiden flight,

Let go my hand, oh little one

The timing is oh so right.

Dedicated to my two beautifully-spirited girls who gave a sense of purpose to my life, and give me great joy, inspiration and contentment each and every day. I love you both so much! ❤❤❤