Steal a moment of happiness while you can

My mum is in and out of hospital at the moment - I've been having to stay with her or spend an hour driving to the hospital at all hours, and then an hour back. It's been draining, added to the guilt of not being around enough for my youngest who is in the middle of the HSC trials (second final exams). It's disruptive. I'm cancelling plans and giving away tickets, missing events with friends I'd been looking forward to.

During a stay at her place when she was sent home from hospital, I told mum I was going for a quick walk while the sun was still out.

It felt so good getting my cardio up, stretching my limbs while being warmed by the late afternoon sun.

I looked on google maps and headed to the bush. Alas, I couldn't find a safe way down to a track, so I just got to look at the little creek from above. I felt I couldn't risk falling when she thought I was just going for a walk around the block!

The bird noises, the insects, the running water and the dappled light made me feel a million miles away for a moment. I felt lucky. I felt happy (instead of exhausted and sorry for myself and guilty).

Just for a moment and then it was time to head back. Briefly transformed, but re-energised to make the most of it. For her, and for me.

Sunshine is a welcome thing. It brings a lot of brightness." - Jimmie Davis

Linking with #MondayMusicMovesMe

This song was playing as I walked into the bush. It seems a perfectly timed soundtrack for that stolen moment of peace!