The Finest Wine is Friendship

Some of us search a life time for special friends; the ones who love us when we are at our worst, who makes us smile when we are downtrodden, who sustain us with their wisdom and kindness.

Their greatest gift to us is the gift of laughter; that uncanny ability they have to make every moment funny -even when other don't see the humour they do!

And like a fine wine, as the years go by and the wrinkles set in, they become more unique and precious to you.

They are truly breathtaking!

The Heart of a Mother

From the moment you are born you know the warmth of your mother's love; she gives you comfort, feeds you, wipes your tears.

She supports you as you take your first steps, say your first words and have your first temper tantrum.

On your first day of school she walks you to you classroom and leaves you, holding back tears until she is out of sight.

You become a teenager; learn to drive a car, go out with your friends, stay out past curfew. You tell her to stop being overprotective you when she warns you about drugs, drinking and driving and a world gone mad.

Then one day you get married and have a child of your own and in that exquisite moment; when you look at your baby's face for the first time, you think of her and all the love she felt for you fills your heart and you finally understand the heart of a mother.

Tortola-The Baths -Virgin Gorda

This small beach is definitely one of nature's many wonders.

A 45 minute jet boat ride from Tortola, across Sir Francis Drake Channel, you will find Virgin Gorda-home of The Bathes.

This beautiful beach can be reached either through a densely foliated trail or through a series of caves.

Which ever way you choose to go, it's well worth the trek.

This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking stretches of beach you will ever see!

He'll Never Let You Down

High school comes to an end and you say goodbye to childhood friends as they go off to distant universities.

Nothing lasts forever.

You are overwhelmed with feelings of uncertainty and loneliness and then when you least expect it a new friend enters you life; soft, snugly and absolutely adorable.

Simply breathtaking!

Memories

Where would we be without our treasured photographs?

Photos capture our happiest memories and immortalize them for all time. They carry us from one joyful moment to the next; leaving out all the hardships that fall in between. They move us, make us laugh and stir our senses.

Weeks before your 5oth birthday you rummage through an old tattered album and come across a photo of yourself as a child.

Breathtaking!

A Fountain

I made my way through the lively crowd and street side musicians gathered in Campo dei Fiori in Rome.

As I left the hubbub I noticed an unassuming fountain sitting on the outskirts of the piazza; no one paid any attention to it.

I stopped and walked toward it. My sandals were quickly sprayed by water droplets. I looked at the date at the top of the fountain, 1872 and I asked a passing citizen, "Is that the year it was made?"

"Yes, it never stops. Many fountains in Rome have been spraying for hundreds of years." he smiled proudly.

Breathtaking!

It's 104 degrees on the Island of Crete.

You climb the hill to reach Poseidon's Temple. The is no breeze, no shade, no reprieve from the pounding sun.

A quaint restaurant sits at the bottom of the Temple offering refreshments to weary travellers.

You order a cold Fanta on Ice.

You take a huge gulp and feel instant relief remembering why you like winter.

Breathtaking!!!

Sunrise on the Aegean Sea

The cruise ship sails from Turkey to Greece across the Aegean Sea breaking through the water. It leaves small ripples behind, the only tell tale sign that it was even there.

The gentle motions of the ship lolls the passengeres to sleep.

The next morning at 5:57 a.m. you draw the curtains of your cabin balcony and are greeted by the most amazing sunrise.

Breathtaking!

The Simplest of Things

A child finds joy in the simplest of things.

I watch as she claps her hands together sending a spray of whipped cream into the air.

The tiny specks float around her eventually coming to rest on her face and hair.

She is not concerned although she wiggles her nose acknowledging the presence.

Her attention is focused on her hands as she squeezes. She squints her eyes and smiles.

A single thought enters my mind "Childhood is wonderful."

I Will Hold Your Hand

On a warm summer morning, in the quite hour before the sun broke through the sky 5000 women and men tied their laces and tugged firmly on their heartstrings.

They bowed their heads in silent prayer, each to his or her own purpose.

As I looked around me at the never ending sea of people I believed humanity could move mountains.

The music played as we pushed through the gates of the CNE grounds. The 5000 strong began their 50 k walk to end breast cancer, crying in one voice, "We can do it."

The Stain Glassed Window of St Peter's Basilica

In the turmoils of life filled with the constant need to be doing and moving, I found a few moments of divine silence.

St Peter's in Rome is perhaps the greatest tribute to the greatness of what human beings can create. Walking through the threshold of the central doors my eyes were blessed with breathtaking visions of sculptures and paintings.

Turning to the immediate right my gaze fell upon Michelangelo's Pieta; the sculpture of Mother Mary holding Jesus in her arms after his Crucifixion. Centuries after his death Michelangelo's statue moves the people around it to tears. His words resonate in the space surrounding his masterpiece, "I am a poor man and of little worth, who is laboring in that art that God has given me in order to extend my life as long as possible."

With all this beauty one single stain glassed window at the front of the church, aligned directly with the central doors beckoned me. As I walked toward it I saw rays of sunlight pouring through illuminating the sculpture at its base. A dove, the universal symbol of all that is pure, innocent and good gleamed in the centre. It's message was clear, "Have faith!"