06/05/2026
I love seeing the different views and reading the stories of people's lives on this page, whether they be incredibly grand or humble. On here we are neighbours and without exception, we are focussed on the beauty we see in a world we have, or plan to create. It's a daily blessing and a joy to be here and today I thought I'd share my view and the story behind it.
Like so many others here, I downsized and moved to what I jokingly called 'the smallest house in Hove' (near Brighton, UK) during a divorce eight years ago. This house, originally bought by us for my daughter and grandson to live in, had been rented out. When I moved in it needed a lot of work - new windows, boiler, a dividing wall knocked down, a new kitchen, complete redecoration - and the garden was a mess!!! It's smaller than anything I'd lived in previously and initially I hated it. It represented the decay my life seemed to have suddenly fallen into and I cried daily. Already past retirement age, I not only had to find the money and energy to do it up, I had to find a way to finance it all and to keep myself. Fortunately, a cousin who works in the funeral profession came up with the idea of a white dove release company and with his, and my friendly builder's help, the old shed in my small garden was knocked down and a dove friendly 'cottage' built. I took delivery of my first doves seven years ago and started releasing these beautiful symbols of love and peace at weddings, funerals and all special occasions, six months later. Since they have the same instinct as racing pigeons, wherever I take them they fly home to their little cottage again (their GPS works better than mine and they're often back first!) I love it. I love the blessing that holding and releasing them brings to people; I love watching them fly free in my garden each day. Even my little rescue cat, Maisie, has learned she's to protect them from other cats that come in but never to stalk them. This is their home as well as hers and mine! Now I couldn't be happier. The house is restored, easy to maintain, cosy and comfortable in winter, and my little garden a mass of colourful flowers in summer. All year round it's full of life, from friends and family who call round, to Sid the seagull who comes knocking for his breakfast each day, to the magpies, squirrels and even foxes who visit. A mile south is the beach and north the beautiful South Downs where I walk my daughter's chocolate Labrador. Life is good! 💖 Please say hello and tell me where you are from ... 😊😘
