One of those vicious viruses (?viri?) decided to visit our house this Christmas and has decided it doesn't want to leave.
My husband and I have been wandering around like zombies for the past week or so, listless and coughing, sneezing and hacking, and generally looking like a pair of pale, hollow-faced frights!
Our friends, Danielle and Richi, rung us on 1st January to wish us a Happy New Year, and during conversation we explained that we haven't been/aren't feeling so good.
The next day, they turned up on our doorstop to wish us well and bring us a Bag of Goodies. Inside there was a bottle of rum, a jar of Manuka honey and some lemons. This was to make Danielle's "Grog" - large shot of rum, hot water, lemon juice and a spoonful of honey or brown sugar - to be taken with an aspirin. Also in the bag were some satsumas, a pack of croissants, and a packet of Choco Leibniz biscuits - those delicious plain buttery biscuits with dark chocolate spread over the top.
And there was one more present, wrapped up, at the bottom of the bag. "All the other stuff is good for the body", said Danielle as she and Richi waved us goodbye. "But that is good for the soul".
When I opened it, there was a copy of The Secret Life of Bees. And there was also a beautiful handmade "Get Well" card.
I can think of so many books that are 'good for the soul' and I'm looking forward to reading this one - I've seen the film and have been meaning to read the book for a long time. I can't imagine a world without books, or the effect a 'bookless' world would have on our souls' well-being.
But neither can I imagine a world without the warmth and love of friendship, of people who care enough and take the time to bring brightness into grey days.
So here's to Friends, Grog, 2014 and all the books we have yet to read...
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