LOVE

A woman sits in a meeting, listening to smart people's thoughts about the nearest furure depending on greater or smaller fundings. Her mobile is on buzz so she can peek at it discretely to see if anyone from the outside world needs her.

She is yawning, discretely too.

Suddenly a buzz from the phone. She frowns, that's the longest serie of digits she has ever seen. Obviously there's something wrong with the phone.

Meeting continues.

Another buzz. Same strange numbers.

Meeting is over. Back to her office.

Oh, one new message. An unknown voice - in English..?

"Hi, is this Anna? I like the sound of your voice on the answering machine. By the way, this is Eleanor..."

Woman (me) sits down on her chair - totally amazed, thrilled, bewildered and so, so filled with warmth.

Listens again. Yes, it's true. Eleanor has called from Australia one Wednesday evening, just to see if I'm OK and to let me know that she misses me.

I call back at once. First a strange noice and disconnection, Yeah, most likely the company phone won't allow loooong distance calls. Naturally I try again. Another kind of signal and suddenly a young, kind voice answers and I ask "Is this Eleanor?" "Ooooh, Mum!!!" Noises and then, there she is.

A wonderful woman who you all know to have a heart that knows no boundaries. With the greatest concern for others, combined with a warm curiosity for all sorts of things and all sorts of people.(What other non-crafter would go to a craft fair just to see how it works and meet people who do craft??) Of course she called me. Where the thought crossed my mind from time to time (especially with you, Mary from the Blue Mountains, during the harsh times) I never got any further.

We chat - hurriedly, what is the cost of a call like this, will the accountants notice that I used the phone??

I swam in love all that day.

First I called the one person I knew would recognize the feeling, Jeanette of Handmade. Then I called home and learned that Eleanor had talked to Siri, 19 too. Siri was equally thrilled and know wants to go to Australia instead of somewhere closer...

Anyway, this call made my day. And much more.

Love to you all.