Monday, 18th December, 2006
The latest head count for our Christmas get-together is around twenty people and eleven dogs - obviously we need to invite a few more canines to balance the seating plan - don't want two humans sitting next to one another haha. In a few days we'll be there, back in the heat of the Aussie bush, unloading the vehicles, cramming the fridges with food, filling the huge beer esky with bags of ice, yelling at the kids who are yelling at the dogs who are charging through half-erected tents. Together again, we are delighted, joyful, laughing, joking, pleased with ourselves and one another - we're here to get the best of each other, after all, to take what is offered, graft it onto ourselves and become more than we were.
In "As Good As It Gets", Jack Nicholson says to Helen Hunt, "You make me want to be a better man," - and so it is with those I love, their presence moves me to search for what is best in me, to take it out and offer it around, "Please, do have some - look, mince pies and cream and me!" We are good together, so good. We don't just meet each other half way, we go further. We go much further.
As the sun goes down we linger under the leafy shade of the vines, grapes hanging in glorious clusters above our heads, the candles on the table making long dancing shadows, the chink of glasses and bottles and hum of easy conversation continuing against the sounds of the cicadas across the hot night air. This is where I want to be.
The latest head count for our Christmas get-together is around twenty people and eleven dogs - obviously we need to invite a few more canines to balance the seating plan - don't want two humans sitting next to one another haha. In a few days we'll be there, back in the heat of the Aussie bush, unloading the vehicles, cramming the fridges with food, filling the huge beer esky with bags of ice, yelling at the kids who are yelling at the dogs who are charging through half-erected tents. Together again, we are delighted, joyful, laughing, joking, pleased with ourselves and one another - we're here to get the best of each other, after all, to take what is offered, graft it onto ourselves and become more than we were.
In "As Good As It Gets", Jack Nicholson says to Helen Hunt, "You make me want to be a better man," - and so it is with those I love, their presence moves me to search for what is best in me, to take it out and offer it around, "Please, do have some - look, mince pies and cream and me!" We are good together, so good. We don't just meet each other half way, we go further. We go much further.
As the sun goes down we linger under the leafy shade of the vines, grapes hanging in glorious clusters above our heads, the candles on the table making long dancing shadows, the chink of glasses and bottles and hum of easy conversation continuing against the sounds of the cicadas across the hot night air. This is where I want to be.
posted by Rosie at 12:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home