#GreatLittleThings

(Photo description: The sun colors the sly with a deep orange glow as it rises)

The above hashtag was invented a few years ago by a good Twitter friend. She realized that life often gets lost between negative events and feelings and wanted to focus more on the positive things. Not only to find balance in life again, but also to inspire her Twitter friends. Giving people courage where needed.

So far I see everything passing by on Twitter. From beautiful photos of her guest assistance dog in training, to enjoying a nice slice of freshly baked bread.

There are many small but beautiful things in life to appreciate. This morning for the first time I realized exactly how much influence enjoying her #GreatLittleThings has on me.

While I appreciate the care I receive, there are days when I really don’t feel like getting out of bed. Sometimes it really is a double feeling. On the one hand, I need the care and I am grateful that I can get the help. On the other hand, very occasionally I want nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and say to the nurse… ahem… kindly – yes, that’s it… kindly ask them to leave. Because… person standing next to my bed who says it’s time to get up. That’s what my mom did when I was little. She stood next to my bed at 6am on a school day and I had to take a bath before the school day started. Fortunately, the sisters are a lot less strict than my mother was then. But still…I am now 39, not 9.

I can joke about this with some sisters. With others, a communication error arises and the rest of the care moment no longer runs smoothly.

This morning I didn’t make any jokes so the care moment went well. Only at the end of the care moment did a communication error almost occur.

‘Have you put your inhaler and cell phone in your backpack yet?’ the nurse asked from the bathroom as she cleaned up.

I heard her footsteps approach as I shot one last photo with my cell phone.

‘No, sorry.’ I said politely. ‘I was distracted for a moment.’

‘Why?’ she asked in a slightly stern tone.

‘Look, there.’ I said. I stood next to the window cell phone still in hand and pointed outside. ‘Look left. in the direction of De Oost.’ I said enthusiastically.

‘De Oost’ is a street name with a double meaning. Oost means East and the street is located in the eastern direction. What kind of picture do you think she saw there at 8:20 in the morning?

‘Oh wow. How beautiful.’ She said surprised.

‘Indeed. I just had to take a few pictures.’

‘I understand.’ She replied. ‘I would have if I were you.’

My care time had actually already expired. But still the sister stood for a moment in peace, quietly enjoying the beautiful picture that hung in the sky outside.

Care and rest. Two words that are not often heard together in the same sentence. Because there is a lot of work and little time. Even though there are many sisters… and brothers… who would like to spend more time with the clients.

This morning this sister succeeded for a short while. We have achieved something great by enjoying something little together. As a result, we can both calmly continue with our day.