Hildegarde

 


The FedEx delivery man liked my dinosaur
“That’s Cool” he observed as he posted the envelope through the open window
I preened
It’s always nice to have one’s dinosaur complimented. 
I thought it was a birthday card.
It wasn’t 
It was a gift of banknotes with a kind message which said “ a graduation gift…”
I was moved into a shocked silence
It was sent from a faceless Hildegarde
A name which conjures up an interesting accent, a round kind face and a mysterious past.

Sometimes it’s hard keeping upbeat
I’ve had to resort to bra strap pulling on many an occasion, 
Fake it to make it, 
When ill health has compounded those loneliness of days or self doubt has questioned the validity of the last piece of academic work I handed in without someone on the other side of the kitchen table to say “That’s not at all bad”

Hildegarde’s gift has come at the most opportune of times. 
I’m working tonight and don’t really want to.
And her gift has boosted me today. 
As had my video presentation on Grief Therapy result, 
which has just undergone its second marker check
Another A 
How wonderful is that? 
I’m  sharing that with you all because I have no one else to share that with.
I’m sharing Hildegarde’s kindness because it was kind and much appreciated 

A birthday gift from Nu arrived today as did a smattering of cards, 
I took the Welsh for a walk and out for breakfast 
They shared a cheesy flatbread and I had my coffee and porridge 
And we ate in Bluebell overlooking the sea

Together



39 comments:

  1. What a lovely surprise gift, and well done on another A. Brilliant!
    First day back is always hard, especially as, by the sounds of it, your arm is no better and you have no firm diagnosis. Here's hoping you can ease gently back into it. And thanks for sharing with us all. xx

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  2. Katie C.2:02 pm

    Random acts of kindness are wonderful! Happy birthday 🎂

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  3. What a gift!
    And a nice comment from FedEx man.
    Plus a good mark.
    All that and a walk by the sea.
    Definitely a good day x

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  4. Two lovely boosts, counting as pre-birthday gifts. I wonder how many people blog as a way of reaching out to others - quite a number, I suspect. Communication without judgement.

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  5. That's lovely, but it can still be lonely, can't it? Sending hugs John. If you were nearby we could take the dogs for a walk together and tell terrible jokes:)

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  6. That all sounds like a good news day to me.

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  7. Great day all around. I hope it continues to go well, not as many struggles.

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  8. I think we all like to have a witness to our lives.. need it really... You may not have the one you want.. but you have many... Congratulations all the way around. ! Hugs! deb

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  9. The universe is conspiring to lift your spirits in time for your birthday and new beginnings!

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  10. Sounds like a quietly lovely day. Hugs to you and the furry ones!

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  11. Yorkshire Liz4:48 pm

    Gifts especially financial ones,
    especially when from an admirer unknown can be very disconcerting. Makes you more of a giver than a receiver. But we all know that. Just relax into your birthday and accept being loved. Which may be easier said than done. Just concentrate on it and pass me the cheesy flatbread!



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  12. sue p4:52 pm

    Congratulations on your grade A. Hope tonights shift goes well. And Happy Birthday as well of course x

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  13. Barbara Anne5:02 pm

    An unexpected and welcome financial gift along with a well earned 'A', sharing yummy food at the seaside with the Welsh in Bluebell, and a raft of birthday cards surely go a long way for a boost for today! Won't say they totally off-set tonight's work shift, of course ...
    Hope things are quiet tonight and know you'll be a sight for sore eyes for your co-workers!

    Hugs!

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    Replies
    1. Also (and after more coffee) thank you for sharing your news - good and less so - with us who care for you, Leo, your family, Mary, Roger, Weaver, and Bun.

      Big hugs!

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  14. Unexpected treats are the best! Hope the shift goes well.

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  15. You are deserving of nice things. Congratulations on graduating. Very happy for you!
    Bun

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  16. People can be remarkably wonderful, can't they? We need to remember the presence of them when times are so very hard and the light seems to have faded into darkness.

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  17. Congratulations on the "A" and Hildegarde is a sweetheart! Please keep sharing with us - the good times and the bad. We are there with you..

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  18. Cyber friends might not seem real, but I am as invested in you as I am in my in-person friends. It's strange really, but true. So along with the others I celebrate your A and I understand your struggles - and how wonderful to hear that there is a Hildegarde who made an appearance. XO

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  19. Dear John Congratulations on your birthday and your A result. Well done, I went to University in 1995 until 1999 and I was 48 when I started and 52 when I received by BHSc.
    We are never too old to learn and I have followed you for years. Well, well done. Love Andie M xxxx

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  20. Oh poor John, you do have your ups and downs. Your determination to overcome health issues and loneliness is admirable, but heart breaking. I kinda wish I was puttering there in the kitchen and could tell you your academic work is great...but no. A bossy woman would NOT appeal. On the other hand---an A!, money, gifts, animals to love. All so good. And I do hope work went okay..
    I know you hate advice but I think if I ate porridge in the car all the time, I d stock the glove box with a couple of sold steel or silver spoons. Cardboard spoons are so yuck.

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  21. Our table may be more distant, but we're all here cheering you on. Well done young man xxx

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  22. Congrats on the A, John! Well done! How nice to receive surprises from friends. Hope your shift goes smoothly.
    Happy birthday weekend!

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  23. Well done, Hildegarde, wherever you are. And well done, John, in your ever-evolving life.

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  24. well done on the A - what a pleasing result..... and who the heck couldn't be happy with a gift of banknotes? Plural!!

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  25. Oh that is lovely and how wonderful. Something to lift the spirits. Congratulations on the "A" grading too. I really think you have found your Forte in re-training. Friendships on the Internet are just as important as being able to meet up in person. Many of those friendships last for years even though we may often not meet in person. Like attracts like and there are no barriers with those that you feel comfortable with. The Internet helps alleviate that a little bit I think. Hildegarde thank you for making John's Day and helping him feel the Joy. Pattypanx

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  26. Anonymous10:30 pm

    Sounds like an A+ day to me!

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  27. Isn't it amazing how a kindness can completely transform a day? Thanks for the reminder of that, John.

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  28. Happy birthday, John.

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  29. Anonymous6:42 am

    Happy birthday John from mid wales (Sandy)

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  30. You are loved and appreciated. I wish it was always enough, but I understand.

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  31. Happy Happy birthday from Australia and congratulations on your A+, very well done.

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  32. Happy Birthday. You are loved and appreciated by many, count your blessings and be happy. xxx

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  33. That is absolutely lovely. I know how loneliness affects me. So nice to have someone lift you up.

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  34. Anonymous11:08 am

    Well done on the A, now go pat yourself on the back. Your Birthday is tomorrow so I wish you and Janet a very happy one. For my 84 birthday I was taken out for breakfast by my daughter and grandson, for which I was very grateful. It is so nice to have some human contact. I do know how you feel on the days when you get lonely. Keep pulling up those bra straps and you will be fine. Now today I am going to go out looking for a new TV as mine crapped out last week and I realize that is what keeps me sane. I have to find somewhere that will deliver and set it up as I am not strong enough or smart enough to handle stuff like that anymore. You are probably laughing but I remember when my mother got old and we bought her a microwave and we needed to teach her how to use it. Keep smiling, you are a lucky man. Gigi

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  35. And a little bit of mystery -- a secret admirer -- to add to the spice of life! That's a great birthday gift, I'd say.

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  36. Happiest of Birthdays to you, John Gray. Know that you are cherished by your fans near and far. Best wishes from N2 spending some time in southern France.

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  37. Happy Birthday and many happy returns. So nice to read of your surprise bank notes in the post. Congratulations too on your 'A' ... Betty

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