February Favourites 2014

This is going to be a slightly different Monthly Favourites post. I did start writing about my beauty and random faves for February and then stopped and thought about what I’ve really treasured this month. So I’ve postponed my beauty/random favourites for another time and I’d like to use this post to share with you all the things that have really touched me, made me feel thankful, or have just made me think or act in a different (and better) way.

Ranald

Now, desperately trying to not sound morbid while writing this, I want to start with my dear friend, Ranald, who sadly passed away at the beginning of February. Ranald was a close friend of the family and I grew up with him. He was a great inspiration to me, in more ways than one:

Ranald unfortunately battled a number of different kinds of cancer. He’d be given the all clear for one, but another one would come along somewhere else soon after. For most people, it would be enough to make them just give up and wallow in sorrow. But not Ranald. While people around him were struggling to cope with his illness, he always stayed positive and basically said “why should I be so special to not get it, when millions of others do?” He took such a practical view on it. I believe his mental strength is what made him survive for so long, and if I am ever in a position like that, I want to remember the view that Ranald took and try to apply it to myself.

Also, while I was growing up, he and his wonderful wife Kay were always so, so supportive of me performing. They always encouraged me to perform; they’d donate money to things I’d be saving up for; and help to arrange things like fundraising concerts for them (e.g. for things like Scottish Youth Theatre). They are part of the reason that I am doing what I am doing today and I am so thankful for them and the support they have given me over the years.

As well as this, Ranald was just a great person. He was absolutely hilarious and was actually a bit of a local celebrity in my small hometown and the surrounding area (there were apparently roughly 1000 people at his funeral). He was always there for anyone who needed him, never judgemental, kind, generous, great with kids (he and my niece Aria bonded over their mutual love for Doctor Who)… There are not enough positive words to describe him. He was a wonderful, wonderful man.

Ranald will be greatly missed and although I have been very upset throughout this month, I am happy that he is no longer in pain and he is now in a better place.

Ranald and Kay with Aria at her Christening

Shakespeare Comedy

This term at school we did our Shakespeare Comedy block, following on from our Serious in January. I have absolutely loved this block and I am seriously going to miss rehearsing, the cast, the director… everything about it. I was in the Comedy of Errors, which is one of the earliest plays/comedies Shakespeare wrote, and I’d never read the play or knew really anything about it, so was excited to get stuck in. When I found out I’d be playing multiple roles, I was really happy as I hadn’t tackled that yet and really wanted to show that I could be versatile in my making my characters very contrasting. If you know the play, I was cast as Adriana in one scene, crazy Dr Pinch in another and then Aemilia (the Abbess) towards the end. I had an absolutely fantastic time with them and I am overwhelmed with how well they were received. The feedback I got from students and staff alike is probably the best I’ve had so far on this course, so I feel so thankful that I am on this course doing what I love, and seem to be doing well thus far! I feel that I’ve become closer to many friends that I didn’t know so well before, for which I’m also thankful, as this month (as you’ve just read) I really needed the support!

As Adriana (to explain the hair, we set the play in 1969!)

My Mum

I am very close to my mum, as you may have read in My Family or Inspirational Women posts earlier last year. But this month has once again really made me appreciate just how incredible that woman is. She is such a support for my family, her friends and work colleagues, and is truly my biggest inspiration in life. She is such an amazing woman, and I can’t describe how thankful I am to have her as my mother.

How gorgeous is my mum?!

This Blog Post

On Being Kinder Than Necessary

By Sailor Jennie

I’ve been following Sailor Jenny’s blog since I joined the blogosphere in February last year. She is such an inspirational person and if you’re not already, please go and have a look at her blog and follow! This blog post about being Kinder Than Necessary really touched me and became a point in February which I want to remember. Jennie wrote about how important it is to be kind even in the hardest situations, when you may really not want to, but actually need to. I’ve already tried to start applying this to many situations I’ve been in, as life is just too short to dwell on the bad stuff – something I’ve really come to appreciate this month. Thank you, Jennie, for teaching me this. Xxx

So those are my alternative February Favourites. I’ll post about beauty/random faves in the next couple of weeks, but I think at least now and again it’s important to remember - among all the materialistic pleasures of make-up and clothes etc - the things in life that really make you happy.

Thank you for reading.

Wendy xxx