Tuesday, February 18, 2014

My very own Valentine's red letter day

It was actually the day after Valentine's Day, but for me there were plenty of signs that this would be the One. The nikau palm in the morning sun was pointing its fingers eagerly, fanning out in excitement.
The bach door, sporting its lucky horse-shoe, knew that a special day had arrived at last, the one I've been waiting for, for six weeks.
I gathered up fresh garden produce to make favourite salads.
 And soon, a well-loved little knock sounded on the door. And yes, here is the little one, sweeping in from her sojourn in China, taking to the water as if she never left.
 Her legs have grown taller and she can manage her board so much better. How good life is when you have two worlds with distinct cultures and you love every minute in each of them.
Could any day be more perfect than this? That night I dreamed I was being gifted these beautiful papier mache balls by a young woman. I felt I was guarding a precious gift.
What is more precious than a young, happy life? This was the best Valentine's Day ever, my very own red letter day.

16 comments:

Anne said...

That's beautiful, Juliet - and so is the little girl.

Juliet said...

Thank you Anne. She is such a joy, and I missed her a lot.

Penny O'Neill said...

My heart sings for you and your red letter day joys, Juliet. It is hard when our little darlings are so far away, I know, but, such utter pleasure when they are once again in our midst.

Love that door! We had a red door in our old house, and everyone knew us by the color. This one is more an orange red by previous owner and which we keep meaning to repaint.

Juliet said...

Penny, you have much greater absences than this, so you know just what I mean. I love a cheerful door. This brick red colour is used a lot on NZ roofs and was the colour of all the old barns. Thank you.

Hotly Spiced said...

Happy Valentine's Day! We have a home with a bright red door too. It gets a lot of sun so I've just had it repainted. What a gorgeous image of your granddaughter enjoying time at the beach with her board - she looks so happy xx

Juliet said...

Charlie, another red door in my comments box! I like a positive, welcoming entrance to a home. My granddaughter was certainly happy to be at the beach at last. Thank you.

Vicki Lane said...

I love your red door! And how wonderful that you have your granddaughter back!

Juliet said...

Vicki, the red door is a cheerful one, and it's wonderful to have my granddaughter back again. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to have that little knock on the door again. You took me back to knocking on my grandmother's door. It was pale green,and how l loved to knock on it and then step in to the comfort and warmth of my Nana's kitchen and know that the world was, once again, as it should be. In their retirement, my grandparents lived in the house that was once their summer bach.

Friko said...

Glorious colours. I just love colours, they are so affirmative.

Enjoy your little one, she is a darling and will soon grow up.

Juliet said...

Friko, I love colour too. It gives such good energy. The little one is quickly growing up; you are quite right. Thank you.

Juliet said...

Vicki, what a beautiful memory of your own little knock on the door. Your grandmother's kitchen sounds so nurturing and safe.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Juliet - I can hear your excitement .. how wonderful your beloved tiny one with longer legs is back from China - what an adventure she has had ...

Now she is home in her water and at her bach ... enjoy ..

Gorgeous photos .. she looks so wonderfully happy giving you that red letter day! Cheers Hilary

Juliet said...

* Hilary, it was very exciting to have her back. Thank you.

Lynley said...

A grandmother with a bach at the beach is such a bonus for a cherished grandchild. Perhaps she will be writing you poems soon about knocking on the red door....as you say their capabilities soar and develop so quickly.

Juliet said...

Lynley, wouldn't that be lovely - poems about knocking on the red door! It sounds poetic already. Thank you.