When I was a kid, we had a huge enclosed front yard. In the summer, it was my happy place. I usually walked bare feet in the grass. The yard had a beautiful garden surrounding it and depending on where you were in the garden, you would get the scent of roses or peonies, the smell of the sunshine kissing the ripening tomatoes, the smell of herbs, the grass – it all just was comforting. We now refer to it as nature bathing. But for me, there was an instinctive need to feel a part of nature, which nourished me. It was listening and responding to my inner instinct.

Growing up, my parents insisted that notwithstanding the temperatures outside, we had to spend time outside – either walking along the lake, or at a park, or on a bike ride. In the cold winter, we would go to Centennial Park, because the greenhouse there, would give us a reprieve from the cold before we could drink some hot tea my mom had packed in the thermos.

Today, we are very fortunate to live in an area, where we are surrounded by trails through various greenspaces. And even though we had a sudden change in the temperature this past week-end, and even though we were all tired from hosting Thanksgiving at our house, on Monday, we decided to go for a walk along a new trail 5 minutes away from our house.

My girls and I walked at a more sedate pace, keeping my husband and son in our sight. We took in the changing leaves and kicked them while we walked. We talked about what we are grateful for in our lives and we shared little updates with one another. The colours, the smells, the company – it was all blissful.

At the start of the trail, there were many paths that we could take. As we stood there, pondering our course, the perfect poem popped in my mind and stayed with me for the entire walk:

The Road Not Taken 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

I feel as I am approaching a certain milestone age in my life, that this poem resonates more with me, than when I first read it.

It was a perfect way, to end a long week-end, full of family time and full of great memories.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

#Thanksgiving #nature #newpath

Years ago, when my mom and I would go grocery shopping together every Saturday, we popped into this shoe store ( I still remember the store and what it looked like) and I found a pair of wooden open toed heeled sandals, which were an amazing deal. I had never had a pair like them. I bought them and as women know, it takes a while to determine how truly comfortable shoes will be. However, these became my magic sandals. Because they were brown leather and wooden, they practically matched any outfit. And at the time, I was not much of a “shoe person” so finding a pair of heeled sandals that I could wear with anything were truly magical!

At the time, I would take the streetcar to work, and as many public transportation riders know, many mornings start with a dash to the stop so that you do not miss your streetcar and these sandals allowed me to sprint, they were so comfortable. So as soon as the weather allowed, these became my go to footwear.

And they never got scuffed or looked worn – they remained perfect looking. And my feet never hurt wearing them. I loved them so much that years later, when we did our engagement wedding photo shoot, I wore them for the photos and am glad that I kept a photographic memory of these sandals.

But as we learn with time, perfect can break. And one time, I went to put on my sandals, and then heel was dangling off and cracked. I had worn them out. And given the damage, there was no way to fix them. And I was honestly sad. I got rid of them but never stopped missing them.

Fast forward to the era of on line shopping. I searched everywhere for a replica of those sandals because they had never left my mind. And I never found them. I came close and bought a pair on line, but when they were delivered, they were too high and very uncomfortable. The opposite of my magical sandals. And I stopped looking…..

Until a few days ago, when I came across a pair on line that were pretty close, but not the same. And when I saw a discount for them, I decided to give them a try. They arrived yesterday and as soon as I put them on, I knew, my feet knew – these were going to be a very close second.

And when I went to pick up my kids from their evening activity, my daughter asked why I was wearing heels to get them, and I honestly had no good explanation except, I wanted to experience the magic again.

And I wore them to work today and although I have not sprinted in them, I am looking forward to finishing off the summer in style, with some magic on my feet. And this experience truly taught me that when you least expect it, and are not looking for it, magic can happen again! Perhaps lightning does not strike twice, but sometimes, it comes close.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

#magic #lifelessons

When I was a baby and toddler, my mother dressed me predominantly in pink. My flower girl dress was pink. Any photos depicting special events usually had me in pink. So when I grew old enough to pick out my own clothes, I rebelled and refused to wear pink. My mom reluctantly stopped buying me pink and I had a pink break.

But pink honestly has always been one of my favourite colours. It is the colour of my favourite flower – peonies and I love all of the different hues. The soft pink that is almost white to the deep dark pink which is so loud and attention seeking.

At Diwali, we always decorate the house with Bright Fushsia Pink and Orange. And right now, with the resurgence of Barbie, that bright pink has become ubiquitous. I have fully embraced “Barbie Pink” and have no issue wearing it, loudly and boldly. I accidentally bought a dress on line months ago that was Barbie Pink, which at the time, I thought was a bit much. But it has become a staple piece of mine this Spring and I am glad that I kept it.

Pink is a colour that looks great on my skin tone and always makes me feel pretty. I understand now why my mom dressed me in pink a lot. Because she designed and sewed clothes, she had a great eye for colour and what worked on people. She knew.

But I also understand that sometimes, we have to come to our own realizations and not have them imposed on us. That has definitely been a character trait of mine. It might take me a little longer, and I might end up where I started, but I need to go through the journey to get there. The journey teaches us a lot about who we are.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

#pink #Barbiepink