Glimmers

Glimmers are tiny micro-moments of joy —fleeting, everyday moments that elicit a rush of happiness, gratitude, calm, peace, safety, or goodwill. Some examples of glimmers include: Spotting a rainbow. Hearing your favorite song in the grocery store. Feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin.

I was on my way to visit Mum and Dad recently and as I stopped at the traffic lights near their place I saw a familiar figure. Dad was resting on the fence after walking to the shops. At this point in the walk he has walked a long way uphill, not terribly steep but challenging in it's length. In the part that is to come, there is a very steep uphill pinch and then more slow incline before it finally levels off.

I stopped the car and invited Dad to hop in. "I was just having a spell" he said. I reminded him that I would be happy to help out.

"It's good for keeping me fit"

And so, with his failing memory and weakening body, he trys to keep active and useful, no complaints, just a cheerful acceptance of his fate.

A photo recently arrived without explanation:

My response: "Have you taken up apple growing, Dad?"

He phoned to explain that these were the biggest apples he ever saw, at least 50% bigger than any other. Dad was excited to share this small wonder and the recipient list for the message was long.

For my whole life I can remember Dad calling to Mum "Have you got a minute?" and grumbling, mum would leave her chores to see what it was that was delighting Dad: a bird, a lizard, a flower, a sassy child, a spider web....

I never really thought much of it until now, it was just part of the family dynamic. 

"Glimmers" is a new buzz word but Dad was in on the secret decades ago and it will be one of his enduring legacies