Inspiration
AND NOW IT'S YOUR TURN by Marion Meyer, SA survivor of domestic abuse in her first marriage

Letter to a friend who helped when I was angry and down by Marion Meyer, Eastern Cape, South Africa

I thought of what you said about moving on
So, today, I gave the dogs an extra hug and helping of food. The birds an extra cup of seed and fruit and in celebration, the hornbill - my special guest came to visit. Yogi Bear, My Geman Shepherd, Was congratulated on his extraordinary powers of perception and rewarded for being Yogi Bear, MD and Psychiatrist, the Best Ever. Sasha had her tummy rubbe.
I received a long phone call from an old friend, who I have not spoken to for a year.
Phoned my Mom in law and told her it was about time she told her sister, who is going overseas tomorrow for a month and who always came to help her at the drop of hat, drove 3 hours there and back, when father in law was dying of cancer - that she better phone her sister and thank her and tell her how much she loves her, because her sister is sad.
Phoned every friend who enquired how I was about breast scare and told them how much I love and appreciate them.
Made my helper a special cup of coffee and rusk.
Enjoyed the sunrise.
Told my husband who is bitter about an incident at work which happened over a year ago. The only person you are effecting is yourself. Live with it, or move on or it will make you ill. I know what years of bitterness do to you. And thanks for loving me so much, I love you
Read 2 quotes stuck to my desk: " To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment""Bag lady, you are going to hurt yourslef, dragging all them bags"
Decided it was too good a day to wash the car and instead will fetch a friend who is down and make her a super lunch and wine.
Picked and sniffed my roses. Told the sugarbird how beautiful he is and thanked him for coming to greet me whenever I come home.
And now, it is your turn. Thanks for being the wonderful warm person you are. Thanks for being there. I hope you have someone to give you lots of hugs. If not, go to the next person you see and give them a hug. Mine was known as the "Hug Office" at work and all my International Students use to come for hugs when they were homesick and all the staff when they needed it. Best present ever - you cant tell everyone you love them, but you can hug anyone you want to. Whenever I see someone undergoing chemo, with no hair, I walk up to them in the street and give them a hug. Whenever anybody is good to me, black or white, I give them a hug So considered yourself hugged. And thanks for being you.
Lots of love
Marion