Surprise

I LOVE surprises.

I revel in the unknown, embrace the excitement of the unveiling, and delight in giving others the thrill of unexpected and pleasant experiences.

I'm also aware that not everyone likes them, and not all surprises feel good. 

In January I interviewed Joan Prentice, a gorgeous woman who has recently come into my life, about a horrific, traumatic surprise in her life. The sudden death of her son, almost 20 years ago. 

Joan's story is heartbreaking, and it's one with a powerful message for all of us. 

It's also a reminder to choose and savour each moment, to never take anything for granted, and appreciate that living is accepting everything - the highs and the lows, and everything in between. 

Ever since our conversation, and sharing it as a podcast episode on Tuesday, I've been reflecting on surprises, the unexpected, and shocking situations that can pop out of nowhere.

The universe even offered me a surprise. 

Days later, while Mila, my 15 year old, was swimming with a friend in the pool, she was stung by a bee. 

We have bee hives on our roof so it's not an uncommon occurrence in our family. She'd been stung before and had never had an allergic reaction. 

This time she did. 

She started to get itchy, and a rash appeared on her face. 

I found an anti-histamine in our bathroom cupboard and gave it to her. 

Before my eyes hives started to appear all over her cheeks, chest and neck, her lymph glands under her arms and in her groin swelled up, and she felt like she had a lump in her throat. 

I rang the ambulance.  

I didn't know what was happening. I did know it was unusual and potentially a severe reaction that could affect her breathing. I chose to be cautious. 

A few hours later, after a trip to hospital - thankfully our first family trip in an ambulance, we were gratefully eating dinner, her choice, and reflecting on what a strange, unexpected turn our afternoon had taken.

We had a laugh too - the ambos had pointed out that the anti-histamine I'd found was out of date…by 15 years! Surprise, even after all that time, it had helped! 

So now, what can you take away from reading this invitation to reflect on surprises? 

Could you consider how expectations limit and disappoint you, and instead choose all that is in your life? 

Is there something you could do today/tomorrow to surprise, and show appreciation to, those you love? 

What could you be doing to prepare yourself for whatever comes your way, to fully surrender to the ebb and flow of life? 

If you're open to listening to a conversation the is authentic, real and raw in exploring what is quite distressing content, knowing that there is positives and much to be gained from doing so, do check out the most recent episode of my podcast, Death, distress & the unknown with Joan Prentice.  

Whilst death is not an easy conversation, it is a part of life. I desire that we don't hide it and avoid it, that we talk about it and find ways to include it in our lives. 

Yes, a part of us can die and be hidden when we experience loss and devastation, and, it's what we do with the life we have, that counts.