A mix of new and old.

Well.....here I am, almost one month later!  Some things here have changed after 25 years and some have not. What has changed is the new houses, the new streets, the old streets with new names, the new people. What has not changed is the people who are still here and still call me friend! The ocean still smells the same on the breeze...it still carries the sound of the waves, rolling in one after the other. The gardens are more established and the bush that remains has been incorporated into the new building blocks as we spread further and further up the coast.
My own piece of paradise here is superb. I have the best of both worlds, where I am just out of town, far enough out to have my peace and quiet, but close enough to not feel isolated. I wake up each morning listening to the birds, watching kangaroos graze on my lawn and marvelling at the pureness of nature where I am.
I have unpacked all the boxes and added my signature here, feeling like I am home. My new studio has been set up and organised, I have painted two new paintings (scenes out of my garden here!) and feel quite relaxed. My youngest daughter has settled in nicely too, starting at her new school, making new friends and exploring new places...learning all the time! We have visited the beach on many occasions and it is wonderful to have it so close, finding treasures along the shore line is one of our favourite things to do.
I have started the process of staging an exhibtition here in my own yard (I have spoken to my daughters school with the offer of an exhibition that I wish to donate to the school from, in exchange for help setting it up. I am now waiting for their reply) I have also been offered 2 other exhibtions locally and am generating interest from many sources. It is very exciting and is such a thrill to be doing this..it almost makes me forget my health issues.
I am someone who lived here 25 yrs ago and has returned. I too am the same, but have changed in different ways. The pace here is much slower and suits my abilities far more. The temperatures are warmer here, so I do not have the aches and pains that I had to deal with not that long ago and my spirit feels free and unencumbered by expectations or regulations incurred by peole who do not understand.
It is so good to see the faces of people I knew and loved so many years ago, once again! It is so good to feel the space around me, to use my senses and appreciate. It is so good to be able to offer a different lifestyle to my children and live it myself with them. It is a good mix of new and old.