Audio Version:
Hello, friends! In a world that often feels rushed, one of the greatest gifts we can offer is our time. This week’s story is about how the simple act of being present turned an ordinary day into something extraordinary for one woman.
Mrs. Vera, a retired librarian, had always been known for her punctuality and her love of order. “Time is precious,” she often said. But lately, time had begun to feel more like an endless stretch than a valuable resource. Without her bustling library to manage, Vera found her days long and unstructured.
When Sue from Sarnia Carers started visiting, she noticed Vera’s home was impeccably tidy, but the woman herself seemed restless. “You keep everything so organised, Vera,” Sue said one morning. “But what about time for yourself?”
Vera raised an eyebrow. “And what would I do with it? Stare at the clock?”
Sue smiled. “What if we spent some time just enjoying the day, no clocks involved?”
Vera was sceptical but agreed to give it a try. That afternoon, Sue made a pot of tea and brought out a box of board games she’d borrowed from her own home. “How about a round of dominoes?” she suggested.
Vera hesitated. “I haven’t played dominoes in years,” she admitted. But as the game got underway, her competitive spirit kicked in. “You’d better watch yourself, Sue,” she said with a sly grin. “I’m quite good at this.”
Over the course of the visit, the ticking clock on the wall seemed to fade into the background. They played, laughed, and shared stories about Vera’s days in the library, including the time a mischievous child had smuggled a guinea pig into the reading room. “It caused more chaos than the annual book sale,” Vera said, laughing.
Encouraged by how much Vera enjoyed the afternoon, Sue made “unstructured time” a regular part of their visits. Some days they worked on puzzles; other times they simply sat and chatted, letting the conversation flow naturally. One particularly quiet afternoon, Vera picked up a book she’d been meaning to read for months and began reading aloud. Sue listened, captivated by Vera’s warm, expressive voice.
As the weeks passed, Vera began to see her days differently. “I used to think time was only valuable if it was spent doing something productive,” she told Sue one day. “But now I realise it’s just as important to spend it on things that bring joy.”
Sue nodded. “That’s the beauty of time, Vera—it’s the one gift we can give that means everything.”
Vera’s story reminds us that time spent with care and intention is never wasted. Here are a few lessons inspired by her journey:
1. Be Present: Spending time without distractions or agendas can create meaningful connections and bring peace.
2. Find Joy in the Simple Things: Activities like games, reading, or just chatting can make time together truly special.
3. Embrace Unstructured Time: Not every moment needs a plan—sometimes the best memories come from simply being.
4. Reframe Productivity: Time spent on joy, laughter, or connection is just as valuable as time spent achieving goals.
That’s all for this week, dear friends. Remember, the simplest gift—your time—can have the greatest impact. Stay thoughtful, stay present, and we’ll see you next week with another story and a little advice to brighten your day.
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