Janou Bode
Sometimes I pretend to be normal.
But it gets boring.
So I go back to being me.
What about me, a short fairytale
Brian Pinas- Pieter van den Hoogenband – Mohammed B – Roel van Velzen – Jelle Brandt Corstius – Glennis Grace – Janou Bode – Just a list of people who have something in common. Can you figure out what? While reading my fairytale?
Once upon a time, It was in the year of the One Love One Peace concert on Kingston Jamaica, the same year that “de Efteling” opened her doors, the year that “we” lost the finals of the World Championship in soccer against Argentina. The year with the horrible winter with no ending. It was the year I was born. 1978*
( *that’s the only thing I have in common with above mentioned people) Because my word count is limited I will speed up a bit.
I have an older sister and we grew up in a loving family with a mum and a dad and a golden retriever, two cats and some rabbits in the garden. In Rotterdam.
I grew older – went to school – gain friend – lost some (kept the most important ones) got hurt by people– hurt some people - gave birth to a lovely girl in 2004 – got married and got divorced and that brings us to 2012.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. I have some amazing friends, a great job, a comfortable house in the city centre of Dordrecht. I found out what I don’t want in life. And I treasure the profound moments of reflection, intimacy and laughter with my daughter, the ones I care for and with a certain someone.
Does that define me? Who Am I? A daughter, a mother, a lover, a friend, a neighbour a stranger, a stubborn human being, a helping hand, a caring girl and on Inspiration Network I am labelled as an inspirator.
What inspires me are little things in life. Things that make me happy. Things that make me smile. Rain on a hot summer day, the sea, snow on a winter day with a bright blue sky. Looking at the ones I love being happy. Dancing. Having conversations. Cook, eat. Daily reflections written down and being reviewed from my point of view. I only hope it will make you smile and wonder sometimes. Smile. It’s the second best thing to do with your lips. Smile because you can. Smile because it looks good on you. Smile because it confuses people. Smile because it makes your heart stronger, and your sorrows disappear. Smile because it makes you happy. Wear the smile that someone gives you. Wear it with pride. Just because you can!
……….and we all live happily ever after…
