By Sophie May Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing. — Dolly Parton. “Love Is Like a Butterfly.” I’ve always loved butterflies (although I was afraid of them flapping near me when I was young) — the beauty, symmetry and even throughout my Mariah days (if you know, you know) 🦋 Throughout the hardest times of my life, butterflies have always appeared and taken me to a place of calm, most poignantly when my grandad was in hospital for the last time and there were two that just wouldn’t leave where I was sat 🤍 A butterfly tattoo later and they’ve become even more important. Whenever I’m struggling they appear. Not just that but when Bloomin’ Mindful hadn’t even reached social media, I got a message from a shop to say they wanted to stock my Butterfly watering stations (now the Bug Oasis) 🐝 🦋 That day I cried as it was the lifeline and boost of confidence I so needed! All of a sudden I felt my grandad with me and it w...
By Lisa Judson Sometimes, the people you never expected to meet become the people you can’t imagine your life without. Friendship is a funny thing. We spend our lives collecting people. Some stay for a season. Some for a chapter. Some disappear for years and somehow walk back into our lives as though they’ve never been away. And then there are the ones who become your people . Friendships are the lifeblood of life. They bring laughter, tears, support, comfort and solidarity. They bring a kick up the backside when you’ve wallowed for long enough, or a good-natured correction when you need one. Honesty, reliability and love bring it all together. I often wonder how I’d manage without my tribe. You see, I know lots of people. From all kinds of times and places in my life — school, work, church, the lake where I swim. And yet, I’ll admit, my inner circle is small. You know what I mean. Those friends who are your ride or dies . The ones you can call at any time of the day or ...