During this holiday period our family has been greatly depleted – half of them being away – not counting Frankie – our family dog.

Life has certainly not been the same – and as I pondered this – the phrase came to mind – “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”.

It often is quite true that we miss – and value – things – and people – the most – when they are not there – so often taking much for granted in life.

I so agree with this quote – “Sometimes the best way to appreciate something – is to be without it for a while” – and there has been so much that I have realised over the last couple of weeks – that I appreciate.

Even those things that I wouldn’t expect – such as even having a dog around – which is quite funny really – as I am not particularly a lover of dogs!

There are many things that I have missed – but the greatest of these have been our son and grandson – the people who make up our family unit. Their presence – company – and conversations – are of such great value – and not having them in my life – even for a short while – makes me realise just how much I need them – for – “Sometimes – it takes being away from someone for a while – to realise how much you really need them in your life”.

I am reminded that I need to – “Appreciate life as it happens” – for –“moments will soon pass – and you will wish you had treasured them more”.

It was interesting that I picked up something – on Facebook this morning – that was on the same lines.

This family had just been out on a wet and windy day – with four children and a dog – generating a great pile of washing – and the mum commented that she realised – as she put it – “one day – maybe sooner than I might like – I might just miss all those giant piles of sodden – filthy clothes and shoes – and so – want to mark – ‘all the living’ – that has happened today”.

I loved that – a wonderful reminder for me – to treasure all that I have – made sweeter – and more precious – during those times when they are absent in my life.

Blessings – Lois