Calm today, light bright, cold wind but no bite. Perfect, really. I had things on this morning, friends for coffee, that glorious invitation into another’s life, so supremely different to my own. Seeing the dynamic of it, feeling the troubles in it, hearing the determination to make this life, their life, work and smiling at their beautiful young faces, voices, opinions, the glorious wild of those who are not old nor defeated. Then I grabbed a lunch bite, read some of a good story, walked out into the wilder. As I ‘tsked’ at the way one, or may be two, big ass vehicles, or maybe a once or twice from the same big ass vehicle has totally squished a lovely grassy verge and not just once. I know it’s not my problem now but it still ‘tsks’ me. I am all about respect for others and their otherness. As I walked back I head a rabbit scream. I know that scream. I pulled down my beanie. This is nature, all are hungry.

Today a woman was celebrated. She was a huge part of our family. She was there at Christmas, births, birthdays, celebrations and when my mum struggled with too many children. She was feisty, strong and powerful in her work with the World Council of Churches. She was a voice out there in the days when women had nonesuch. She was also naughty, ready to challenge dogma, seeing the light in the freedom of NO.

I remember so many times with her. When a dance tune came on, and, remember the timeline, it might have been a waltz or a calypso, and we were in the kitchen or the garden or the street. We clocked each other. I held out my invitation and she immediately responded, We bounced and rounded and laughed and lightened the day.

RIP Pamela Helen Gruber. You were a lift in my growing life and I thank you for that, you crazy loon.