Botanical gardens

The glorious weather continues in Dunedin so we went for a walk around the gardens. The colours were inspiring.

Stadium to surf

13 months ago I had surgery to replace my anterior cruciate ligament (in my knee). After the surgery I got quite despondent and didn't think I was ever going to be able to run again without pain. It seemed to be a very long time to build up my strength, but today marked the end of my recovery - 10km Stadium to surf race ending at St Clair Beach. The clock said 1 hour 8 min when I crossed the line. I'm happy with that.

A poem by my daughter

To whoever this may concern

Flowers in her hair
She acts she doesn't care
Reality comes back

She sits at school
Acting cool
Reality comes back

When she gets home
She turns off her phone
Reality is there

She tries to fight it
It doesn't leave
Reality is there

Scars on her wrists
Pain in her eyes
Reality is there and
Not leaving her side

She sits at home
All alone
Thinking why, why?
Reality still survives

The next day
She was gone
Reality's back
... and moving on ...

Tenderness

Playing around in Photoshop - and reading my favourite author = this. May we all find our tenderness when we need it most.