Overt and Covert actions.

[reynardo]

Whilst in the Public (Civil) service, it was drummed into us humble empoyees about actions both covert and overt in areas such as discrimination and racism. Overt is the blatant, the "I don't hire darkies" or the deliberately serving all the men before serving the women in a shop. Covert is the quiet "but it's not safe for a woman - she might get attacked late at night so we can't have female trainees".

But that's not nice stuff. I have nice stuff to say here.

Overt and Covert love have both been given to me over the last couple of weeks.

Overtly, some of the dearest and sweetest people I know have told me flat out that they love me, that they care for me and that they are thinking of me. For this I am utterly grateful and full of amazement and thankfulness that I have that love, and that it is keeping me warm and safe and supported. I have been told this face-to-face, in chat and email and phone conversations and in SMSs.

And covertly I have been told I am loved in a multitude of ways. Love is a hug from a workmate who cares, and a few extra days leave given despite staff shortages by my boss. It is a hot cup of tea from my husband and the bravery and trust of my dog daring to swim out into the water even though he was scared. It is the straight talk from a friend, the LJ comments from people I know in person or only through their own journals, and the offers of support from my husband's family. It is someone taking the trouble to transfer a 6 Mb file they know I will enjoy through a dial-up connection. And it is the immediate rallying of my family to sort out the who-looks-after-Adam while I'm on night shift and Geoffrey is in Melbourne.

I grumble a lot. I shouldn't. With such riches, how could anyone feel poor or hard done by? I am loved, and thus I am the luckiest and most blessed woman.

Comments

[jazzmasterson.livejournal.com]

That's because you give it out so freely. It always comes back, but especially when you need it.

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

Um, I'm gonna challenge you for the luckiest and most blessed woman.

Er, no, I'm not. You have Art.

But I'm feeling like I've got the support and love of friends from around the world, right now.

So revel in your love, dear, and don't worry about grumbling. "A bitchy sailor is a happy sailor" they used to say in the Navy.

It's when you can't muster the oomph to bitch that is a bad sign that the bastards have indeed brought you to ground.

*hugs*
Edie
And Jazz is right. What goes around comes around, especially love. You got it in spades, dear.

[frou-frou.livejournal.com]

and you also have plenty of love from others who've neglected to mention it up until now! I've been thinking of you (and your family) a lot lately, and wishing you all the best - and oh, here's another *hug* or two, just in case you're running short :)