Minnows

I wish my Dad would just try coming into my house. He's been over to do things like examine the guttering, check fences.

All on the outside of the house.

He doesn't want to come in because of cat hair or dust which might affect his breathing and running.

But he's not allergic to cats. And I bleach, hoover and sweep most days. I groom the cats each day so I can dispose of as many lose kitty hairs as possible.

Now that we get along, it would be strange to have him in my lounge, but also nice. He'd see I have a picture of him and me as a toddler fishing for minnows in the brook of our old home's back garden. We are so absorbed that neither of us noticed mum taking a picture.

I adore the photo.

Dust

Dust if you must.

But wouldn’t it be better,

To paint a picture, or write a letter,

Bake a cake, or plant a seed?

Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must.

But there is not much time

With rivers to swim and mountains to climb!

Music to hear, and books to read,

Friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must.

But the world’s out there

With the sun in your eyes,

the wind in your hair,

A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.

This day will not come round again.

Dust if you must.

But bear in mind,

Old age will come and it’s not kind.

And when you go, and go you must,

You, yourself, will make more dust.

- Rose Milligan