Heaven is what you make it

This might seem strange coming from someone who doesn't really believe in them, but if you could describe your own heaven and hell, what would they be?

This post was inspired by a conversation I had with my fabulous therapist (reflexology, massage, reiki and laughter) who gives my body and soul an MOT periodically.

Being vehemently non-maternal, hell for me could be a locked room full of screaming under fives! Elevated heart rate, adrenaline level off the scale, stress!! ARGH!! hehe

Bizarrely as I sit here writing this, it's more difficult to find a simple scenario as a counterpoint to that which just as strongly calms me and makes me feel happy. I think my heaven would be a more composite place, which probably makes more sense if you think about it. Negative things are restrictive, enclosed; positive ones are liberating and open.

Heaven would be a light airy cottage with solid comfortable furniture and beautiful artwork on the walls. The kitchen would have expanses of (self-cleaning) granite work tops, a (self-cleaning) double oven and cupboards filled with fresh organic free-range food. The bathroom would be warm and comfortable (when you have IBS, you tend to spend a fair amount of time in your bathroom so it's important for it to be nice!) with one of those fabulous cadbury-flake-advert free standing baths. I would have a reading room stocked with all my favourite authors and a pile of cushions to sit on while I indulged in my favourite hobby.

The garden would have a decking area for dinner parties on balmy sumer nights (no bugs or wasps please) where we could discuss ethics, current affairs, philosophy, science or the arts. The walls would be covered with fragrant sweet peas and climbing clemetis, I would have terracota pots filled with bright red trailing geraniums on either side of the steps leading to a herb garden with a central water feature. Through the herb garden there would be a meadow area with soft grass and clover to cool my toes. At the very bottom of the garden would be an ancient oak tree with bluebells peeping up between the roots.

And finally, especially as my hubby would be there with me, I'd better add a broadband internet connection!

Happy Journeys