Love

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

Sarah took a package, with colourful daisies on the front, from the shelf.

She picked a positive quote at random, the post it note said, ‘‘you are beautiful.’ Sarah thought of her grannie and smiled. This present cost less than a pint of milk, but was worth more than any diamond.

Brimming with cheerful ideas, it always had pride of place. Every time she felt low, she reminded herself of how much she meant to others. The passing of two years since their final farewells did not diminish the perpetual brilliance of her inner voice.

‘Mum, what are you looking at?’ her daughter asked, wandering into the bedroom.

‘My box of happy thoughts.’

‘I remember those. When I was at school, and being bullied, you put in a few of your own. It helped. Could I borrow it? Stevie is having a hard time in secondary. Every day is so different, and she is too afraid to make friends.’

Taking a pen she added another wafer thin slip. ‘‘Be strong, be brave, like a summer’s day. You will give hope to all.’

Wrapping it up, she handed her daughter the most precious gift of all.

Love.