We have been gentle with ourselves over the past few days since returning from Australia.

Our thirty-eight-hour odyssey homeward from the other side of the world left us severely jet-lagged.

Having had lad sprawled across my lap for much of the journey, sleep was not forthcoming for me en route.

Surviving on the odd nap here and there over nearly two days and nights whilst zipping through time zones has taken it’s toll. My body wants to sleep at teatime, and wakes me up at stupid o’clock in the morning.

I unpacked our suitcases yesterday. There was a lot of washing.

All those bright summery garments, so normal in the sunshine, useless now like discarded chrysalises…

But in amongst the limp swimming costumes, sweaty frocks and dusty sandals were some treats I had almost forgotten about…

I couldn’t resist the sequins. They were cheap as chips. As were those unusually-coloured bobble trims from my favourite shop in Brisbane, Daiso.

Basically a Japanese pound shop, Daiso sells everything from sushi accessories to storage jars, mops and slippers, even foodstuffs, all for the princely sum of $2.80 AU (around £1.50). Their website doesn’t do them justice: their store is a slice of candy-coloured, rainbow-hued heaven-on-earth for fans of kitsch like me.

In Mooloolaba on our last day in Australia, we visited the tasteful hippy shop on the seafront, where I got myself a new handbag in the sale for about £8…

Yes, the colours really are that bright in real life! It looks pretty special with a simple black frock, I can tell you.

Not to mention how it looks hanging up in my bedroom…

Last but by no means least, came the beautiful gift I received from my partner.

I had actually spotted it myself in Hopkinson whilst Christmas shopping and fondled it lovingly. But I was on a gifty mission and let it be. Although I may have mentioned it when I got home.

My partner had been keen to give me my gift before we went on holiday, but I, having no idea what he’d bought, insisted that just wouldn’t do. I had to have it at Christmas. So he lugged it all the way across the world for me.

I, meanwhile, to my eternal shame, left his present at home, by mistake.

I had been about to wrap it and, disturbed in the act, had to hide it quickly. Whereupon I promptly forgot all about it. (I cringe to think of it).

Anyway, to get to the point, this came with us to Australia for me to open on Christmas morning…

It’s an amazingly beautiful thing, made from wonderful vintage fabrics.

There have also been tears since we arrived home. It is hard to get used to being apart from those you love.

My sister is my only living blood relative. We both feel the separation keenly, even more so since our parents died. And lad is more like a sibling than a cousin to her children. He has been mourning their absence, too.

But with gentleness and sleep, love and hugs, and snuggles under my lovely quilt, the darkness and misery are beginning to lift a little.

Although that also means that the carapace of unfeeling that acts as protection from the misery of being apart from my sister, will start to regrow again.

My partner said before we left on our trip that I would have no use for my gift in Australia. And he was right.

But since we got home, as well as warding off the English chill, my quilt has been a source of another kind of comfort.

I’m glad it came with us. As I admired it’s lovely fabrics and thought about Christmas, I considered my own selfishness.

Sometimes we need a tangible reminder to show our love for the ones we are with.

Especially when we can’t be with all of the ones we love. ♥