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It was my birthday last week and and I was reminded of something that happened around my birthday a few years ago.

My family had been asking what I wanted for a present.  While I do generally love a nicely thought out gift, I really couldn't think of anything I wanted that could be purchased.  What I really wanted was "Time" to go away on a couple of meditation-type retreats, or something similar.  I'm perfectly happy to pay for these things myself, it's just the time that I need to be able to do them.  So, I told my kids that the best gift they could give me would be some "time out" for myself.

When my lovely daughter came home from school a few days before my birthday, she came straight over to me with a big hug.  She sat on my lap, with her arms still around me, and said, "Mum, do you remember when you said you wanted 'Time' for your birthday?  Well, how would you like to go to High Wycombe (where there is a rather large shopping mall) next weekend and spend as much time as you like just shopping for clothes, with no interruptions from anyone else?"  I thought for a moment, looking at her quizzically and wondering why she thought I would want to shop for clothes (this is definitely NOT my favourite past-time), then it dawned on me and I asked, "What do you want to do there?"  She fessed up and said that she and a few friends wanted to go to the movies and needed a lift, but went on to remind me that it would also give me some time to myself wandering around the shops while waiting for the movie to finish!

We have both laughed about this, a few times now, over the years, and I can't help but love her for the way she use to think (and still does), turning around all sorts of situations to work out for all concerned.  It may not have been a meditation retreat, but you know.... I actually enjoyed spending some time, by myself, in a shopping mall.  There was a decent coffee shop and I had a book I wanted to finish!

It is really important to remember to find time for yourself, and giving that gift to someone else is very special.  Let's face it, you don't have to go away on a retreat, there must be a decent coffee shop somewhere near you and a book to finish reading!

Love & blessings,
Caryl ♥