Panting

I spent a good chunk of today doing voluntary community work through the local business where I do pilates. It's an annual thing they do with teams, fun, and time at the Tai Tapu pub afterwards. I skipped the pub as I had stuff to do.

It was hot work gardening, delivering stuff to the SPCA and food bank, and helping bag up produce for the latter.

I fitted in a couple of hours in the cooler (a relative term) part of my garden, in the afternoon. My ferns and other cool loving plants should be panting but they're doing ok despite the heat.

My time at the Hornby Food bank was deeply humbling. A family run it from their home. At first glance you might be a little scared or uncertain. There's lots of car parts (he loves old cars), and motifs of skulls and similar.

I felt like I was in the presence of angels. Perhaps I was. There's absolutely no judgement of whoever turns up in need.

Mum and Dad were looking forward to taking their 2 teenage girls to meet their tiny, sick, baby brother at the neonatal ward. He was born 10 weeks premature, 5 days ago. And still they serve their community.

Today's gratitude: For having some of my ideas and perceptions challenged.