Serendipity

Serendipity. This was the word that came to mind today. I checked the meaning in several dictionaries and found it interesting that the meaning was nuanced differently in each one. However, the American Merriam-Webster Dictionary has it defined to how I feel about our day today: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.

We had both got up this morning, fairly bleary-eyed and dulled by an imperfect night’s sleep, to view the day ahead as more-than-likely mundane. The only light on the horizon was a possible/probable visit by Paul and Freddie. And even then, we weren’t sure about that – the weather may yet be inclement and the visit might not happen.

We were keen to see the Kenilworth Sleaths, but as the shadow of COVID hung over their household with Lily still self-isolating, we dithered as to what to do. In the end, we had agreed a garden visit would be very favourable today if the weather would hold.

The weather held. The visit was ON. Yippeee!! Oh, my, oh, my, oh my! What delight to see our darling son and grandson just on lunchtime. They had brought a picnic – which was good, because my cupboards are rather bare just now – and we furnished the garden with tables and chairs and rugs and toys, ready to play.

What absolute fun we had! Freddie was a delight. Paul was a delight. How full was my heart! We were all in our element – especially when the Jenga came out – one of Freddie’s favourites!! I am not sure who won, but it wasn’t me…… or Grandpa!!!

We reluctantly waved the Kenilworth Sleaths goodbye just before tea-time, and settled in the lounge for five minutes, when John suggested that we might see what the Crosses were up to this evening. “Shall I give them a ring to to see if they want a get-together?” he asked. “Yes, do,” I said. “It’s such a long time since we’ve seen them and it would be lovely to have a chat.” He rang them and yes, it would be great to see each other. “7.30?” Lovely.

We were just brewing ourselves cup of tea, and thinking what to do for our evening meal, when the phone rang. It was Michael, on his way back from Stratford – and were we in? Yes, of course! Would you like to call in? Please? Well, that’s what they were thinking too, so twenty minutes later, they arrived.

I’d love to say, ‘Here’s a photo of the visit’, but we were so wrapped up in the unexpectedness of it all that I failed to get my camera out……

But, oh my! Another wonderful family visit. Danielle and I zipped up to the shops for a fish ‘n chip supper as a treat, followed unexpectedly by Grandpa and William, who caught us up as we were waiting in the queue.

We played, we chatted, we ate and drank and generally enjoyed each others’ company for a good couple of hours.

Goodness me, this was a wonderfully unexpected treat, to see two of our sons and some, or all, of their families in one afternoon.

And then, of course, we saw Pete and Dawn this evening. Never a dull moment when they are around. Just chit-chat, chit-chat all evening, with hardly a minute to draw breath, on any and every topic you can think of. Love ’em – such dear, dear friends.

When the day started, neither John nor I saw a wonderful day ahead. But crikey, what a valuable and agreeable faculty emerged. It was marvellous. And not only that, but the the sun shone this afternoon. Oof… what more could we want, eh?

I am not going to besmirch our day with thinking about COVID today, so no numbers at the end of the blog as usual. That’s a relief, isn’t it?

And I didn’t watch the Women’s Final at Wimbledon this afternoon – I had more important things to do , after all, but I do know that the Australian, Ashleigh Barty, won. Just as I expected, and just as it should have been.

I’d like to say, with a nod to Candide, ‘All’s well in the world‘ (even though I know it’s not with COVID and stuff) because today, piece after piece of the jigsaw puzzle slotted into place. Such a great boost to our jaded spirits. Very grateful for that.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Oh, and a footnote….. a sparrow hawk swooped over our garden today and landed, high up on the conifer tree, for a good ten minutes, surveying the land around. Fascinating and exciting.