What a New Year's Wish is this?

I am sure, this will be a question that comes to your mind, after reading this post.

Yes folks, I'm not at all the kind of writer that writes 'masterpieces', I just let my thought go their free rein and put them on virtual paper.
I also doubt if putting a question mark in a title is correct, perhaps it's not done.
So - I leave it up to you to define what this is.

Anyhow, it comes straight from my heart, and before going further, I want to wish you all a 'Happy New Year' with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come.

- I started the new year with running in the early morning, just after dawn.

I was whole alone on the road, it seemed as if everyone else was sleeping off his whirl from yesterday evening.

- I myself - had nothing to celebrate yesterday. I went early to bed, I only awoke '*around midnight' because of the noise of the fireworks here in the neighborhood.

*That was for me the right time to hug my dear Pipke's 'Golden heart'!

It brought me back to the time that she was still alive, then we took her indoors to prevent that she would become afraid for the popping fireworks.

That was the time for hugs and reassurance, such a happy time!

From those happy times I have one picture that's taken 'exactly', on this very day, twenty years ago.

New Year's day 1996! 
In the early morning. 

(As you can see: my sweet little girl could not appreciate to be 'dolled up' for the occasion! She shook it off as quick as possible.

She loved sobriety. She didn't like frills! Pure white was her favorite color. The material of her packing always had to be clean, soft and waterproof.)

However - I don't think that I will ever be able 'to celebrate' a New Year.

No! Celebrations - of what kind so ever - are no longer wasted on me.

Actually, the world wherein we live now, it makes me sad!

There's too much hunger for too many of us. Not 'the hunger' in the real sentence of the word, but - the kind of hunger where Mother Teresa once referred to!

For all who's hungry, I hope you will be fed today!

If not, *this message is intended to you.

Let this be your New Year's *resolution for the year 2016:

 let No-One be hungry again. 
*It is surely mine!

I wish you all the very best!

Fran 

PS: for those who don't know it. 

Pipke's 'Golden heart' is the little urn with her ashes, in the shape of a heart.

The Ultimate Gift for an Oldie

Isn't this poignant.

I'm sure - if this product would ever be available on the market, nowadays - for some of the younger generation - this would be 'the ultimate gift' to bestow to an oldie. 

So ..... problem solved!

The message that comes with the gift says it all.
Two birds with one stroke: a gift with a bitter after taste!

Hope there are enough batteries included with the gift to keep on going for a little while!

PS: this moving 3D animated short called 'Changing Batteries' is created by the talented folks over at Sunny Side Up Productions!

Based on the theme 'Change', the story tells about their relationship development with one another through time and is their final year animation production made in Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia. 


They are currently up and running for BANG Awards!

Remembrance

Today, September 14, 2014 - 

it's already five years ago since Pipke passed away.

 Since then, each time as the date September the 14th gets closer, I go through a very emotional period, and I get overwhelmed by grief. 


If you know me already a little, then you will have noticed that I have apologized myself already a few times for being rather sensitive and emotional.

Well - now I know that I have to change this attitude because I've learned a lot about emotions.

Some time ago I discovered this following quote, and I'm going to use this as guidance.

I'm going to keep this in mind.

'Never apologize for being Sensitive or Emotional...

It's a sign that you have a Big Heart... and that you aren't afraid to let others see it.

Showing your Emotions is a sign of Strength...'

So - I'm not going to suppress my emotions this time because

I've learned that 'that's fighting against myself'! 

No, I will let my emotions go their own free rein today.

*******

'Five whole years' already since she's gone! 

I just cannot believe that it can be that long ago. Never thought that missing her would be so tough.

I know - for the world she just might have been a silly duck, but to me, she meant the world. 

Missing Pipke still brings tears to my eyes, but remembering all the good times can bring a smile on my face!

Therefore I prefer to remember the good times.

As a tribute to her I want to share these images with you.

Fulfilled with gratitude that she came into my life, 

I'm watching now these images. 

 ^      

 At dawn, when leaving her pen, well rested and cheerful,

ready to start a new day. 

^

After *smooching in the laundry room (*our daily morning ritual) 

ready to inspect the flowers for bugs.

Be sure she took her task as inspector pest controller very serious. 

Not one bug could escape her eye!

^
Time to assist the gardener with weeding.

^

After all that work enjoying a good wash in her pond.

^

Now - time to take a nap on her favorite spot - 

under the easy chair.

^

Around sunset, for darkness falls.

 Before going to bed - searching for some bugs in

our garden - Pipke's little world - the place I had to leave behind.


For me this was heaven on earth. 

My heart aches!

My little one,

You will live on in my heart

my little friend so true,

and memories of you will fill my mind

until I go to you

Your 

Oma

Pipke

May 25, 1995 – September 14, 2009

*In loving memory

*Watch: Pipke's life story in a nutshell on YouTube.

September ... When It Comes.

Today, here in Belgium it's Mother's Day, and it's a gray and rainy day.

It's like they say here: "it's Belgian weather". It's pouring rain! 

We're now half August and September comes closer.

September .... the month that includes so many memorable dates to me!

It makes me silent.

In September - now 52 years ago: I got married. 

In September - now 50 years ago: my son was born. 

In September this year: it will be already 5 years ago - since Pipke died.

- So I suppose you can imagine - 

when I heard this song 

last week on the car radio, that I can't get rid of the song.

Ever since it keeps haunting me. 

Especially the corresponding images on the YouTube film gives me shivers. 

You see a lifetime passing!

It makes me aware that life is short and that my life could have been so very very different.

September when it comes .........

 

Fran and the Lucky Little Duckling

Probably you're all thinking now that I'm talking about Pipke and me.

Of course: Pipke was a lucky little critter because I was there to save her during a heavy rainstorm at the moment that she was born in an abandoned nest.

The human Fran and her lucky baby duckling Pipke

But – there's now also an other little duckling that was saved by someone who's called: Fran.

You will never guess it; that last Fran where I'm talking about “isn't a human”.

No - it's a friendly giant: a gorilla at the Bronx Zoo in New York.

I want to explain how I discovered this. Actually it happened pure by chance.

Already quite some time ago someone has sent me an endearing picture of a gorilla and a tiny duckling.

(What the sender probably did not know was that “that friendly gorilla”, who's the savior of the duckling is also called: Fran.)

Of course the picture touched me because it brings back memories.

So - because I'm someone who wants to know the story behind the picture - who goes more profound into things - I went to search on the Internet and found out this wonderful story that follows in this post.

Only by reading the touching story I discovered that I have an “animal namesake” with also a lot of empathy.

And yes, also the “behavior” of those great giant Fran got my interest, I wanted to know more about that. I'm not going to bother you with *all the interesting information I found on *Wikipedia. You know where to find it.

The main point is that they say there that: Primates and in particular great apes are candidates for highly developed capabilities for empathy .

So - when people say as an insult: “you behave as an animal”, I actually see this rather as a compliment.

I also discovered there the story about Koko the female gorilla with also a lot of empathy. If you don't know her already down below in this post you can find a link to a YouTube film about her.

Now back to the main topic: Fran the gorilla and the lucky little duckling. 

(Actually the reason why I planned to write this post.)

Here follows a part of the story published in the newspaper The telegraph

published on October 7, 2011. Click on the link to read the full story. 
(Note: Look how good the quality of the pictures taken by Tom Warren is. You must know they were taken through a thick piece of plexiglass!)

A wonderful moment between two unlikely friends
This huge gorilla and tiny duckling became unlikely friends after the bird escaped into the ape's zoo enclosure. Visitors to the zoo ware stunned when the baby duckling suddenly appeared inches from the primate. Feeling the 90kg western lowland gorilla might react badly to the feathered visitor, onlookers held their breath to see what would happen. The gorilla became fascinated with the bird and inspected its new friend with a stick. The 15 year ols female ape, called Fran, happily let the duckling waddle about before it was removed by the zookeepers.
Photographer Tom Warren captured the scene at the Bronx Zoo in New York.

Tom Warren/Solent News.

Twigged ... Fran checks out her new feathery chum with a stick

Tom Warren/Solent News.

The duckling is accepted into the gorilla group

Tom Warren/Solent News.

The frendly gorilla Fran

 has a quacking time with a tiny duckling

Tom Warren/Solent News.

I hope the great giant Fran could capture your heart.

She surely has captured mine.

I have used this quote already before but, here - at this place - it's really an appropriate quote to close this post with:

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."

James Herriot

Fran the gentle gorilla is a confirmation of it!

PS: May I invite you to look at this endearing YouTube film about Koko the gorilla.

Here you see Koko who expressed sadness over the death of her cat All Ball. Look how she shows her empathy and how lovingly she treats the kittens.

Can you guess who ......

Can you guess who has written this highly sensitive and meaningful text? 

(The name of the writer you can find below.)

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” 
Written by Bob Marley

My conclusion from these words: 

it's not always what you see what you get.

Why?

Because - often it's the case that one thinks that one can't associate a "mindful and sensitive personality" to a person who seems to be a kinda hippy, but - as it's also often the case:

 it's only the outside that one sees. 

It's the inner that counts.

I want to close this post with this quote written by Storms Jameson: 

"Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed."

Thanks for reading! 

PS: I would already give away that my next post will be a very special one. 

It's by pure chance that I can write this story.

The title will be: Fran and the lucky little duckling.

Till then.

A Combination of my Favorites

This time about something completely different, *although .....

Probably you've already seen on my profile that one of my interests is: Classical music.

I think now these days it's a kind of music that's rather being ignored by younger people.

Most of them prefer to listen to contemporary music, and I can really understand them. Mostly contemporary music sounds cheerful, and I must agree – that's not so often the case with classical music. Actually – any piece of classical music is bound to touch the sensitive string in every classical music lover's heart. If you are downhearted you best don't listen to it. I myself, I'm not always in the mood to listen to it because it makes me sometimes melancholic but nevertheless I like to hear it so now and then.

When I'm in a cheerful mood then I listen (and/or dance, all by my self) to contemporary music, I really like it too.

Now I want to explain how I came on the idea for this post.

I was surfing on the Internet and I came by coincidence on this YouTube music video. I discovered there that they combined the things I love so much: a part of one of my favorite piano concertos of Serguei Rachmaninov supplemented with beautiful sensitive images and text.

If you love classical music then you will probably know this music piece.

OK – it's an emotional piece but If you are not in the mood to listen and look at it then please don't do it.

Info: Fyodor Dostoyevsky was a Russian writer and essayist.

I have seen an orchestra play this piece by Rachmaninoff, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Variation 18, in a real concert hall on November 25, 2004. 

The sound was overwhelming, something completely different from when you hear it on the radio or on your CD player. It was performed by the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. The pianist was Igor Tchetuev. 

Cn the link  Igor Tsjetuev. you can hear and see him play an other piece of the concert that I attended.

Actually this was the best performance that I've ever seen and heard. He played the piece with so much power and diligence, it really gave me goosebumps.

I have this music on CD, but It has been a long time since I've listened to it. In fact: my CD player stayed closed since mid-August last year. This was at the time that Pipke became ill for the very last time.

Anyhow, I really love the images and the text they've added to the music. I find it a wonderful combination of beautiful things, things that matter in life!

Life is full of beauty.

Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind.

Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

Be happy!

Fran

I still want to add.I discovered something very interesting after I had written this post in draft. Did you know that: Classical music also pulls at the heartstrings of people in a vegetative state.

If one plays music to vegetative patients, their heart rate changes in the same way as that of healthy controls, suggesting that music can affect the neural systems of emotion even when conscious thought is impossible.

To Jeannie and Jen: do you remember the hilarious conversation which followed on the comments of this post.

It went about: "**een scheet in een fles"?

I said there : "And now I go from one extreme to an other, I will listen to Rachmaninov's piano concertos n°1 & 3"

Well -- the piece that you could hear here was the piece that I referred there.

(For those who don't know it: literally translated to English **this means: "a fart in a bottle".

If you want to know what the English proverb is for this, read the comments on this post:):) LOL.)

Maybe you're surprised -- but yes -- I can be funny and naughty too.

PS: I said *although because it goes again about "feelings", but it shows the way I am and how I feel.

I just hope that you don't get bored with it.

(Actually I had prepared this post already two months ago but hesitated to publish it because it was again all so sensitive.)