Nina has really beautiful hands and she loves them. She spends a fair proportion of her waking hours studying her hands. She looks at them (in fact stares), she plays with them (sometimes I swear she is counting her fingers), she sucks them and recently she started gripping on to things (like other people’s fingers and her rattle) with them. Her wonder for her hands and watching her discover what they can do has really encouraged me not to take my hands for granted. I think we should all have has much wonder for our hands as Nina.

“Do you respect that of God in everyone though it may be expressed in unfamiliar ways or be difficult to discern? Each of us has a particular experience of God and each must find the way to be true to it. When words are strange or disturbing to you, try to sense what they come from and what has nourished the lives of others. Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people’s opinions may contain for you. Avoid hurtful criticism and provocative language. Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken.”

This is one of the Quaker “Advices and Queries” that I read yesterday. I have found it really, really helpful in helping me build relationship with a person I find difficult.

I was feeling pretty sad as I drove out of Sydney on Thursday. It had been a great time with everyone and I was dreading its end. And I do still feel a little bit sad to not be in Sydney with all my lovelies but driving into Alice on Sunday felt like coming home. I love the air, the quiet, the sky, the open spaces and of course the amazing people I live with. So I am happy to be back and I think Nina is too. She did so amazingly well with everything but it was pretty overwhelming for her I am sure.

I don’t think I can really write about the trip in Sydney Nina is being a bit whingy but we’re having a great time. But highlights are:
this house at Collaroy – waking up in the morning and having a swim and then mango for breakfast
Nina’s thanksgiving ceremony
catching the ferry to the city from Manly and showing Lida around Circular Quay
catching up with family in Tamworth
Leonard Cohen concert – truly the best concert I’ve ever been to
sharing it all with Nina