She hath wings

Learning to soar above life's storms

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about

I am a wife and mother of three beautiful children. I love to write, do craft, cook, visit the beach, shop, go for walks in picturesque places, play music and sing.

  • Tommy’s Ears

    When I was just a few years old, I had something big weighing on my mind. I was feeling extremely guilty – not for something I had done as a once-off, but for a repeated offence. What was worse, Tommy seemed to be affected in the long-term  from what I had done only a handful of times. It was innocent at first – placing clothes pegs on the ears of the family cat seemed a logical place to me. But then I got hooked. I kept doing it, because it was such a comical thing to see the cat’s ears drooping with the weight of the plastic clothes pegs! It was no longer laughable when I was aged five and a half. Not long before Christmas, Dad was backing the car into the driveway and tragically ran over Tommy, who died on the way to the vet.

    I was shunted inside pretty quickly after running outside to investigate, but I remember the spattering of blood on the path. For quite sometime later, I blamed myself. You see, Tommy was deaf.  I mistakenly thought that it was because I had placed pegs on his ears, when I was just a pre-schooler.

    It wasn’t until perhaps a year or two down the track, when we were discussing the matter at the dinner table, that I blurted out my confession. I couldn’t understand why the family was in stitches – to me this was very serious; I had indirectly caused the death of the family cat, or so I thought. Mum and Dad set the record straight, and I can’t tell you how relieved I was.

    Isn’t it funny how one tiny thought can turn into an unnecessary burden, if left unchecked!

    (Originally posted in 2014 on an old blog).

  • Saturday At The Cat Cafe!

    My son and I had a long-awaited visit to Melbourne’s only Cat Cafe on Saturday. It is situated in Guildford lane, only a few minutes walk from Melbourne Central Station. We travelled to Flinders Street station, catching a 59 (Airport West) tram from Elizabeth Street up to Melbourne Central. We could have taken a train from platforms 1, 2 or 3 to stations in the City Loop instead.

    I booked online a couple of months in advance, securing an 11am session. You pay for entry and if you would like basic food (such as a muffin) or a drink, this is extra or included in a package deal. Whilst they accept walk-ins during quiet periods on weekdays, it is advisable to book to avoid disappointment. We confirmed our food order (it is brought out at a certain time so that the cats don’t find it first!) and had it upstairs halfway through the one hour session. There are 2 hour and 3 hour sessions available too, but it is best to try one hour first to see if you like it there.

    Upon arrival, we were greeted by a young lady of gentle temperament and spotted three spoilt felines “on duty”. Arnold (half Maine Coon) guarded the little containers of cat biscuits which can be purchased for $2, knocking a few off unapologetically as he made himself comfortable on the reception desk. Ruby looked like she was constantly winking at me, but it turned out that she had only one eye! We perused the little souvenir shop and waited until it was time to enter, making sure that no kitties escaped when we did go through.

    The bottom level had low chairs to sit in as well as some regular sized ones, all positioned around the edge of the room, enabling the cats to move about freely. I was struck by the ambience in the room; the quiet meditative music and the soft lighting including Christmas tree lights. There was no shortage of cat trees for the cats to play in or sleep on top of. A number of cat toys were available to entice the cats and kittens to play and it was relaxing patting them and seeing them move about freely. Visitors are asked not to pick up the cats but can gently pat them if the cats don’t mind.

    On our way to the top level, we came out to the reception desk and had the option of washing our hands at the little wash basin there before eating or there was alchohol cleaner in pump packs on the desk. We walked up the stairs and there were a couple of cats sitting on the stairs, much to my son’s amusement. One strode along the top of the stair landing, very much in ownership of the place!

    The cats could move between the two levels through a little hole at the top of the stairs (little shelves built into the wall which they could climb on). Up the top level were more cats (some were sleeping and others walking around). Daylight streamed in through a number of windows and the cats could even sit on a balcony protected by strong chicken wire if they desired. There was a bridge across the roof enabling the cats to move from the steps on the wall to the cat trees on the other side. There was also a wooden tree in the middle with cosy cat beds at the bottom. It was fun to read the profiles of the resident cats on the wall and to sit in multiple places on that level, taking it all in.

    The hour went too quickly but it was just enough to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasure of patting and playing with beautiful rescued cats. It was a well run establishment and the cats are so fortunate to have had a new start in life. The cats did not clamber onto me (apart from when I deliberately put a couple of cat biscuits on my lap!) and it was a non-threatening environment for my son to observe and befriend some cats. He wanted to go back as soon as possible and at least once a year!

    I recommend this place to every cat lover one the age of eight. It is a hidden gem in a tiny pedestrian lane, but well worth the visit.

    PHOTOS TO FOLLOW! (See this later post for the pictures )

  • The Cat Cafe

    Several years ago I planned to go the Cat Cafe in Guildford Lane, Melbourne, but never got around to it. Knowing that my son had to be old enough to go, I have waited till then, and also wanted to make sure he would enjoy going as much as I would. We love our little public transport adventures; over the years we have caught buses, trains and trams, all in the name of discovering something fun to do. With some major public transport works, it will be a little more difficult, but that won’t deter us. Check it out, if you should be in Melbourne and you love cats. If you a taking a child, they need to be 8+ . You also need to book ahead of time. Stay tuned for my review this week!

    Picture from the Cat Cafe Melbourne website Nov 2019
  • The Fight

    The Fight

    She packed away the baby things,

    And with that, her hope took flight-

    Not many knew the grief she had carried –

    The desperation and the fight.

    Not only were the final years slipping away,

    But it seemed that the possibility was none;

    Her dream of having a little girl

    Left as quickly as it had begun.

    She screamed and sobbed;

    It was not fair that depression had robbed her of much –

    Nothing could bring back those younger years,

    And the struggle to conceive was such,

    That pain upon pain would grow and strangle

    Each tender seedling of hope,

    Nothing could change the longing inside;

    Nothing could help her cope.

    On lonely days with pity the theme,

    It felt like God was not there;

    Yet at the eleventh hour He seemed

    To unveil His loving care.

    It had held her through the hardest of times –

    It had wept with her as she let go –

    It had tenderly embraced her as a dear friend prayed

    And laid on hands while she didn’t know,

    That right about then a little life

    Was blooming precious and strong –

    What an amazing miracle of God

    Who now lives her life in song.

    And so for all who suffer still

    In pain too great to bear –

    My story stands as testament

    To make you now aware –

    That always One stands willingly

    To hold you in darkest night,

    And because He bled and took your place

    He has power to win your fight.

    © M.Patterson 2019

  • When You Have To Write

    When You Have To Write

    Hands up all you songwriters and writers of poetry and prose who have been in this particular place or find yourself there on a regular basis. For some, writing is a hobby dabbled in but in your case, you HAVE to write. If you go too long without writing something down, you get a bit edgy, like you haven’t had a coffee when you need one. If you wait longer still, you get too busy in your head, with all the thoughts whirling around – thoughts that you desperately need to process and possibly even share. After that, comes a sort of numbness – a blockage to the thoughts which, by that stage, have become stuffed down, intertwined and even confused, having no way of being processed. Wait long enough, and the mood can actually slump. Some of us need to write and do it regularly, just as we exercise (or know we should exercise!), ring our mother (if we have one) and do the dishes (believe me, after a week or so, there are colours, textures and smells in those dishes that have to be dealt with using gloves!!!)

    So anyway, back to writing. What is stopping you from writing today? Sometimes I make myself get this and that done before I compose a piece of writing on the computer or type a post on my phone, yet by the time I get here, the inspiration has gone. Some things need to be written right away, like poetry or lines from a song. The essence of the writing needs to be captured in its entirety, not as fragments from the days before.

    Tonight I am giving myself permission to write. Tomorrow too. I won’t hold back and I may not even get the housework done first. Sometimes the writing will motivate a better me to come forth! If not, at least my brain can be a little less busy!!!

  • If I Could Say

    If I Could Say

    If I could say just one more thing

    Before my life flits away,

    I would tell you how precious you are to the King –

    His life, He was willing to pay.

    His pain, oh He bled

    Like hell itself –

    He went through the depths for you

    And He waits and He aches- He watches chances slip away

    As His heart is pierced right through.

    He watches you striving, He watches you fall –

    He longs to strengthen your heart;

    He sees the destruction that leaves you broken –

    He loved you from the start

    He catches each tear and keeps them in a bottle

    He saw you before you were born –

    And you’re so busy living life on your own

    His very existence you scorn.

    And all He longs to tell you is, “You are worth everything” –

    But for now, He cannot be heard –

    Yet a glimmer of hope is found now and then,

    In a heart that He has stirred.

    A gentleman, He will not rain down fire

    Or force you to come to His side,

    But He promises to be a refuge and help –

    A place where you can hide.

    Just one thing – His love never fails,

    And He’ll wait a lifetime for the prize –

    You were worth it all

    You are worth it all

    Irreplacable, in His eyes.

    © M. Patterson 2010

  • The Strong Stand Firm

    The Strong Stand Firm

    Just when I think the last tear has fallen,

    Another trickles down;

    It provokes a river,

    Running freely;

    All of the pain is released.

    Pictures flash across my mind –

    Hopes of running free

    Unentangled by life’s frustrations

    Pressing towards the prize.

    I leave the burden by the roadside ;

    Another sweeps it away.

    I long for a place of forgetting –

    To embrace only joy.

    I visualise a sandy path

    I hear waves crash and die away

    I feel the chilling foam as it touches my feet…

    The sand is filled with water;

    A pattern forms –

    The stream departs to join the wider sea.

    The sea is like life’s worries;

    They come so close,

    Touching our feet,

    Sending shivers down our spines.

    Gradually they lose their vigour,

    Falling aside to join the others we have chosen to release

    A silver gull soars overhead.

    Suddenly it swoops and lands,

    Causing a wild commotion.

    The strong stand firm –

    Their Leader fights for them.

    Once more there is tranquility.

    The picture fades.

    I have melted into a luscious green pasture.

    I am a foal finding my feet for the first time.

    I am gaining strength and health

    And soon…

    Running freely

    I see the prize before me!

    It leads me over hills

    I never thought I could ascend

    I crawl through valleys

    Unfit for worms

    Overjoyed

    I endure

    I will win

    The crown of life is mine!

    © M. Patterson 1997

  • Beautiful

    Beautiful

    You called me beautiful;

    I wondered what you saw –

    Am I beautiful because you remember what I was,

    Or do you know what’s deep inside?

    I have known you for so many years

    And never once

    Did you speak harsh words

    Or make me feel small

    You’re a giant in my eyes –

    And you always did know how to

    Capture a pick-me-up

    With a single word or touch.

    We often don’t need to speak –

    Just the knowledge that we

    Think the world of each other

    Is enough.

    You called me beautiful –

    Not too many have managed

    To make me believe it…

    But you did.

    © M.Patterson 2015