Lesson 80. Let people know the good news.

My sisters and I just received an email from my cousin across the ditch. He's going to be a Daddy late February and we couldn't be more excited. In the midst of the doom and gloom that is constantly blaring out through the television set, we got good news. He made an effort to write and tell us, and although it may seem a small gesture it's one that will stick with me. It reminded me how important it is to let people know the good news.

Tell someone something great. Tell someone something special. Tell someone something real. I can't tell you how important it is to bring a little joy in the sorrow riddled situation we seem to be living in. Because it exists and that is worth celebrating! There is something spectacular in the birth of a child, the engagement of a couple, the completion of a task, the smile of someone who has struggled. Don't let it slip under your nose, Let people know the good news. 

Lesson 79. Sing to someone sickly.

Last night I was bed ridden with a belly bug. It was my loves Birthday and instead of kisses and cuddles I clung for dear life to the rim of his toilet seat. I shook and cried on his poor family bathroom floor more concerned with the fact that I wouldn't make it to the Birthday celebration than the fact that the contents of my midmorning bagel and Mrs Higgin's visit were before me. The wonderful boy simply reassured me and tucked me in. I lay in slight melodramatic agony dreaming "Lord take me NOW" to be interrupted by a phone call.

I picked up with a grunt and was pleasantly surprised. My mothers Irish literal singsong voice began with "I just called to say how much I love you, I just called to say how much I care" And continued on until she forgot the words. Although the giggle had to be slightly suppressed for the way it teased my groaning abdominals, the smile was one that can only be born of a loving mother when a child is ill. She lifted my woe-is-me-I'm-an-awful-girlfriend-why-can't-I-just-fall-asleep-ouch-my-belly-is-killing-me attitude within an instant. I realised how lucky I was to have a boyfriend who was willing to stand by me through sickness, his family who was willing to check on me every few minutes and get whatever I needed, and a mother who was willing to err on the foolish side to get a smile out of me.

Do something a little silly and slightly sweet for someone who isn't feeling top notch. You never know what it might do for them or just how much it will mean. Sing to someone sickly.

Lesson 78. Look at what you've done today and smile.

This may just be an excuse to talk about one of the most exciting days yet, but ah, I'll take what I can get if you'll lend me an ear. I woke up at 5am with friends to film my first music video today. I'm shattered and my extremities are still slightly chilly from the frost that lay low on the planes of miles lane this morning. But I'm so happy with what we achieved today, so here's a little picture. 

Look what you've done today and smile. 

Lesson 77. Buy a new dress.

Don't get into a kafuffle about it. Don't throw all your clothes on the floor and stomp around them like you're about to charge. Indulge just this once, buy a new dress.

Lesson 76. Chipmunks are the cutest.

My beautiful big sister had her wisdom teeth extracted this afternoon. She is currently wearing a dopey grin with gauze spilling out the sides of her mouth. Her eyes are sitting at a halfway open point and her cheeks match the drapes and they are severely swollen. She's potentially the cutest mildly sedated chipmunk I've ever seen, in spite of her somewhat coarse language and the fact that she pulled a rude gesture at me for the first time in her life when just out of surgery.

She's in a lot of pain right now. A lot of pain. I'm not going to go into great detail but there is an excessive amount of blood involved every half hour or so when I change her gauze. She is still smiling. Sure, the drugs might have a bit to do with that (I'm relatively sure they do because she told me I too should 'get on them') but there is something quite impressive about my sister at this moment. She is currently working a look that honest and rare. I've seen it a few times in my life and I like to believe that in this moment my wee Pan has been seeking inspiration from those gone before her. My Grandmother died with great grace and deep joy in spite of her circumstance. She was praising Jesus on the way out and proved to me that beautiful does not mean a state of physical perfection, it means quite the contrary.

It runs deeper, flows through the veins of one living for a greater purpose. True beauty is found when we acknowledge that although life is tough it is good. When we can survive storms dancing and embrace that phrase in all of it's cliche glory. Smile through the tears, you remain a beautiful being when all around is crumbling because you are clinging to hope. Moral of the story, Chipmunks are the cutest.

Lesson 75. Some things never change.

I had lunch with two friends I treasure dearly today. It was as though 6 months apart were simply three words and that we were still the kids dreaming up a different tomorrow. We teased and talked just like always. I'm falling asleep with a smile on my face.

I was almost afraid to begin with. I didn't want to lose the dreamy montage of laughing and crying through the ups and downs to Cyndi Lauper that I bring out of the cobwebs in my mind after a hard day at University. I didn't want things to be any less than what they used to be because in the challenges of the new, the comfort of the old proves a therapeutic memory. Almost to my surprise, things were not different at all. Time had not changed the bonds we'd built as gawky kids. We still made the same jokes about terrible humming and irritating teachers. One was still tactless, the other still laughed with every bit of heart. 

It's like an old book or a hug from your mother. Life comes and goes and gives and takes but don't be discouraged. Certain things remain the same for a reason. Appreciate them. Some things never change. 

Lesson 74. Do something about it.

Stop wasting time. Get up off your feet. Go for it, do you really have time to second guess yourself?

Do something about it.