The Life Makeover Club

Chapter 35

THIRTY-FIVE

Life Makeover Principle #12:

Life is supposed to be FUN! Do what brings you joy, and let joy be the basis of every day of your life.

Life: a culmination of joys and struggles, wins and losses, sadness and happiness, with a bit of fun thrown in here and there. Some people had more struggle than joy, others had more wins than losses, but what united everyone was the desire to keep going; to keep moving forward to a better life. Along the way, people would celebrate their wins, their joy, and their happiness. Celebrations punctuated the events of people’s lives, like a big exclamation mark, saying: ‘Hey! Look what we’ve achieved! Look what we have to celebrate!’, and tonight was one of those exclamation marks.

Gina walked with her head held high into the private function room at The Rooftop Restaurant. ‘Hi, Liz. ’

‘Gina, lovely to see you.’ Liz pecked her cheek and gave her a warm hug. ‘How are you?’

‘Not too – actually, I’m fantastic.’ It felt nice to finally say it, and mean it.

‘That’s great to hear! You look fantastic too.’ Liz’s gaze ran over Gina’s new look; her shoulder length hair had been cut into a sculptured bob with caramel highlights, tapering into neat splices around her jaw line. Instead of her usual black, navy, or brown attire, she accentuated her figure in an earthy-red shift dress.

‘Gina!’ Cara and Miranda called out in unison as they entered, walking over with arms outstretched. The rest of the group filtered through the door, and Miranda handed Liz the enormous bunch of flowers she was carrying.

‘These are for you, Liz. A token of our appreciation and gratitude for everything you’ve taught us, and for helping us create a better life.’

As the women clapped, Liz accepted the arrangement of stargazer lilies and irises, a gorgeous explosion of pink, purple, and white. ‘It’s been my pleasure. Thank you for being part of this club, and helping me further my own dreams.’ A tear slipped from her eye as she placed the flowers on the side table. ‘I’m going to miss seeing you all each month.’

‘When does the new club start?’ Miranda asked.

‘Next week. Two clubs, I decided to continue with, so there’ll be one meeting for me to facilitate each fortnight. And all going well, I should be ready to train other coaches towards the end of the year.’

‘Well, the newbies will be in for a treat!’ Miranda smiled.

Gina wondered if any of them would be in a similar situation to what she’d been in a year ago. Would anyone else quit their job and leave their husband?

‘By the way, the room looks amazing, Liz,’ said Cara. ‘Did you or the staff decorate it?’ Streamers and fairy lights adorned the walls, and multicoloured helium-filled balloons hovered at the ceiling.

‘The staff did the tables of course, and arranged the fairy lights, but I did the rest.’

‘You’ve done well,’ said Miranda. ‘We could have used your expertise at the New Year’s Eve ball.’

‘Maybe I should give up life coaching and go into full time event decorating!’

Miranda laughed. ‘Don’t you dare. The world needs people like you, so keep doing what you’re doing.’

Liz smiled a thank you, and Gina smiled too as she observed the friendly chatter between the women as they all took their seats at the table. Plates of appetisers appeared, and wine glasses were filled. The women shared a feast of chilli prawns, lemon mussels, curry puffs, vegetable patties, honey chicken kebabs, and bruschetta. As they enjoyed the food, Liz asked everyone to share their achievements.

Gina leaned forward in her chair. ‘Thanks everyone, for the card you sent me after my loss, it meant a lot,’ she said. ‘Last time I was here with you all, I was pregnant and preparing for life as a mother, but now things have changed dramatically.’ Gina rested her hands and elbows in a straight line on the table. ‘After the miscarriage...’ her voice shook and she took a deep breath to steady it. ‘Although it was a terrible thing to have happened... I think, somehow, I needed to go through that to realise what I truly wanted, and what was holding me back. ’

The women sat still, their food halted in mid-air in anticipation of Gina’s revelation.

‘Not long before Christmas, I left my husband. I know it was the right thing to do. I probably should have done it ages ago, but it’s done now, and there’s no going back.’ She exhaled slowly and her eyes dropped closed for a moment. Cara placed a supportive hand on her arm, and the women relaxed back into their chairs. ‘So, I’m now a single woman.’ A fresh smile emerged on her lips. ‘I’m living on my own in a new apartment, and gearing up for a new beginning. Oh, and I didn’t just leave my husband, I left my job too!’ Much to the shock of her boss, Mark, the words, ‘Bloody hell’ leaving the mouth of his stunned face. ‘I cashed in one of my investment accounts, giving me enough to live on for the next six to nine months, and come July, I’ll be a qualified personal trainer.’ Gina’s smile stretched wide as everyone clapped.

‘So, you got accepted into the course?’ asked Miranda.

‘I did. I start in two weeks.’

‘Well, I’ll be your first client. When you start working, let me know.’

‘Me too!’ said Wendy, followed by Rebecca. Wendy had lost eighteen kilograms in the past twelve months, despite a shaky start. It took some one-on-one sessions with Liz to finally break through the negative habits that stood in her way. Now, she exercised regularly, and had even taken up healthy cooking classes, with plans of studying nutrition.

Rebecca had also lost weight, although not as much as Wendy, but had managed to stick to a new weekly schedule incorporating meditation, yoga, and time with her phone switched off. She wasn’t as ‘on edge’ as usual, and she commented on how her new way of living had actually increased her house sales .

Liz beamed. ‘I’m so proud of you, Gina. Think of where you were that first meeting, and now look at you; ready to take on the world!’

Gina smiled and her heart warmed. Maybe not the world, but at least her world.

Liz turned her attention to Cara. ‘And Cara, you’re not the only one that’s had some big changes occur, let us know where you’re up to.’

‘Wow, what a year! So much has happened, yet I feel like it’s only the beginning.’ She shifted excitedly in her chair. ‘The owner of Queen of Arts is now a regular buyer of my artworks, and I’ve been invited to display the portrait of my son, Jacob, in an exhibition next month called, ‘A Celebration of Childhood.’ Cara handed out flyers and Gina slid one into her handbag. ‘Also, I’ve set up a website with a virtual gallery to showcase my work and sell some pieces. Here, I have something else for all of you.’ Cara leaned under the table and extracted a pile of prints. ‘They’re not framed, but since the club helped me achieve this, I want to give each of you a signed print of my ‘Bliss’ artwork. I hope it’ll be a reminder that there’s always beauty and peace around you.’ She handed the prints around the table, and ‘thank yous’ and ‘wows’ emerged.

Gina smiled. She knew exactly where to put up the print in her new place.

‘As well as prints, I’m also selling original paintings and taking commissions for portraits. And , I’ve just received my first commission, from no other than...’ Cara directed her hand at Liz.

‘Wow, you’re on a roll, girlfriend!’ Miranda said, just as Gina was thinking the same thing.

Liz nodded. ‘When I saw the portrait of little Jacob, I knew I wanted one of my grandchildren. I’m also getting one of me and my husband to give to my family as a gift.’

Cara’s phone beeped. ‘Sorry, I’ll put that away.’ She popped it in her bag. ‘Now, with all this demand for my art, I obviously need time to do it, so with Jacob going to school this year I’ll only have Toby at home with me during the week. My mother’s going to mind him for one day each week, and I’ve also booked him into day care another day of the week. I always wanted to care for my children full-time, but I think it’ll be good for him, especially his social development. Plus, it’ll be good for me, and as you said a while ago Liz; a happy mother makes for happy children.’

Liz nodded, and Cara’s phone beeped again. ‘Sorry, I better check this. Knowing my kids, one of them has probably tipped paint all over the dog or something!’ Cara looked at her phone and her mouth dropped open. ‘Oh my God!’

‘What? Is everything okay, Cara?’ asked Liz.

Cara looked at Liz, then at the concerned faces of the group. ‘It’s better than okay! Someone just placed an order on my website for my highest selling item; a large canvas painting of the city which I called ‘Cityscape’, which took me ages to complete. I only put it up there to show what I could do and make the other items not seem so expensive. I didn’t think anyone would actually buy it!’ Cara’s face flushed with an excited glow as she bounced in her chair.

‘What’s it worth, Cara?’ Gina asked, everyone leaning forward in their chairs.

‘I was going to charge one thousand dollars for it, but Pete suggested I go higher to give my work a sense of value, so I listed it for three thousand dollars, and someone bought it! ’

The women stood, clapping and cheering. Good for her , Gina thought. She deserves the recognition.

‘Hang onto these prints girls,’ said Rebecca. ‘They might be worth a fortune in the future!’

Everyone laughed, and Liz raised a glass in celebration of Cara’s sale, the others following suit.

‘I’ve got something to hand out too.’ Shauna rifled through her hessian bag. ‘Free tickets to my upcoming Environmental Empowerment workshop. I hope you’ll come along. I already have eighteen paid bookings!’ She handed out the professional-looking flyers, and Gina decided then and there that she’d go. She buzzed with a newfound desire to learn and experience new things.

‘So, you found my copywriter good?’ Molly asked Shauna.

‘Fantastic. The ad I put in Green Living magazine got me tons of new subscribers for my online newsletter. And I’m putting an ad into next Saturday’s paper and on Facebook for this workshop, so I hope I get more bookings.’

‘Well done, Shauna. How did your advertising go, Molly?’ asked Liz.

‘Really well, it seems I have found my niche in catering to the affluent baby-boomers, although I also get a fair few successful business women as clients. Well, their pets at least!’

A pet, hmmm. Maybe I should get a cat. Gina was enjoying her independence but thought she might benefit from a fluffy companion who didn’t complain or put her down.

‘I’ll have to book my Bobo in for a makeover, Molly,’ said Cara. ‘Although, you’d have your work cut out with him, he’s a menace sometimes. ’

‘He’ll be no trouble,’ she replied. ‘I deal better with animals than I do people.’ She smiled.

Liz turned towards Zoe. ‘And Zoe, what’s the latest with you? Have any people who found the words of wisdom cards come forward?’

Zoe smiled. ‘Yep, five people. I’ve interviewed them, and the story will be published in this Sunday’s paper.’

‘Oh, I can’t wait to read it!’ Liz beamed.

‘And guess who I got to interview?’ Zoe added, jiggling in her chair like she was about to explode with excitement. ‘The man who found the card under the table at the Courtyard Café, that night we were in The Lotus Room!’

‘Really?’ Liz asked. ‘Make sure you let Cass know!’

‘I’ve already emailed and told her I’d scan the article and send it to her.’

‘And what was his story, are you allowed to tell us?’ asked Miranda.

Gina was curious too. Zoe leaned forward, and the room fell quiet. ‘That night at the café, he was contemplating whether to give his lifelong dream of being a musician another shot before he got too old. He’d become busy raising a family, first with his wife, then on his own after his wife passed away suddenly. He was sitting at that table silently asking her what to do, and to give him a sign if she was still here , so to speak.’

All eyes were glued to Zoe’s.

‘And that’s when the musician at the café began playing, and the man dropped his fork and found the card under the table.’

‘Which card did he get?’ asked Cara.

‘Yeah, which one, Zoe?’ urged Rebecca.

‘His card said: ‘Don’t try to do something, just do it. You either do it or you don’t.’ No wonder he’d looked so surprised and gave the musician a standing ovation.’

Gina smiled. She knew just how valuable that advice was.

‘What a wonderful story!’ said Liz, still beaming.

‘I know. And the others are amazing too, but you’ll have to get the newspaper to find out. I want to leave at least some surprises up my sleeve.’ She winked.

‘You must be so happy about how everything turned out,’ said Miranda.

Zoe nodded. ‘And thanks to the success of the Grandma Joy article, my boss has given me a regular column to write called, ‘Life Changing Moments’. Each month, I’ll feature an interview with someone who’s had a life-changing experience.’

‘It’ll be a nice change from all the doom and gloom in the papers,’ Wendy remarked.

‘Sounds great, I’ll be a regular reader of your column, Zoe.’ Liz said. ‘And I think Miranda has something to be quite happy about too, don’t you Miranda?’ Liz winked, and Gina’s eyes turned to face the pink-cheeked glamour girl.

Miranda’s face warmed. ‘I’ve found a wonderful, caring, gorgeous man.’ She pulled her phone from her purse and showed a photo of her and Matt enjoying outdoor music at the Sydney Festival last week. Everyone peered at the screen, nodding in approval. ‘Who knows if this is the big one, but right now, it feels right. For the first time, I feel I can just be myself around a man. No more pretending, no more worrying about how I look, or what to say. I’m just going with the flow and enjoying every moment with him.’ She couldn’t believe her luck. So their first meeting hadn’t been ideal , but it’d been totally worth it.

‘Liz, maybe alongside your decorating business you could start a matchmaking business!’ suggested Cara.

Liz flicked a hand, chuckling. ‘I don’t know about that, Miranda managed to find this one herself.’

‘Yes, but you helped me find myself. ’ Miranda pointed at her chest and looked at Liz. ‘You led me to a greater awareness of who I am, and I feel so much happier inside. I don’t know if I would have been truly ready to find someone had it not been for you and The Club.’ Her eyes warmed and she touched the corner of one of them, stopping a tear before it let loose.

Liz’s arms wrapped around her, and a soft floral scent wafted in the air as she whispered in Miranda’s ear. ‘By the way, I think this guy’s the real deal.’

Miranda smiled. ‘I do too.’

‘Are you still working at Harbourside, Miranda?’ Gina asked, as the two women pulled back from their embrace.

‘No. Well, I am, but not at reception. I’ve recently started my new job in the beauty salon.’

‘Fantastic, how’s it going?’

‘I love it. My colleagues are really nice, and I’m learning so much more than I did in college. It’s not just about giving treatments to clients, it’s about the whole experience. They’re teaching me about customer service, salon management, and even marketing. I think I might open up my own salon one day, after I’ve got some more experience in the industry.’

‘Go girl!’ said Cara .

‘Hey, maybe I could call it ‘Bliss Beauty’, and use your painting as the logo.’

‘That’ll cost ya.’ Cara winked. ‘I’ll put you in contact with my business manager.’

Miranda laughed, draping an arm around her friend, and stealing a curry puff from her plate.

‘Has Nicole Kidman paid you a visit in the salon yet?’ asked Cara.

‘Ha! Nope, but I did have a visit from the infamous Mr-Hairy-Back Gellerman, who followed me from City Beauty. I can’t believe the staff were willing to give up his regular business by telling him about my new place of employment!’

‘Do you mean Stanley Gellerman?’ asked Gina, looking as though she’d eaten an off prawn.

‘Yes, that’s the one. Why, do you know him?’

‘I see him at the gym all the time. He’s the one who always forgets to wipe down the equipment after using it, leaving his sweaty imprint everywhere he goes. Always winks at me too, and get this; he moans when he uses the rowing machine.’

For a moment the appetisers weren’t so appetising. ‘Don’t tell him you’re becoming a personal trainer, he might become a regular client,’ Miranda advised.

‘Don’t worry, I won’t,’ Gina assured.

‘When do you see Matt next, Miranda?’ asked Cara. ‘I should invite you guys over for a barbeque sometime.’

‘That’d be fabulous! Um, we’re heading up to Byron Bay next weekend, he’s taking me to meet his mother, and we’re going out for lunch at a beachside restaurant.’

‘Meeting his mother already, that’s a good sign!’ Liz said.

‘Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It’s such a nice place too, I’ve gotta go back to that retreat sometime, it was just beautiful. Oh, I’ve got an idea!’ Excitement made Miranda spring up in her chair. ‘Why don’t we all get together once every year or so, to catch up? We could book some rooms at Serenity Retreat for a weekend, and have a kind of ‘Life Makeover Reunion’, what do you think?’ Miranda looked eagerly from one woman to the next.

‘Oh, Miranda, how could I say no to that? Count me in!’ Cara flopped back in her chair, as though imagining herself on a hammock by the water.

‘Sounds fantastic,’ replied Gina, using her new favourite word. Zoe agreed she’d attend as well.

‘I’d have to know well in advance to make sure I don’t have any open houses or inspections – nah! I’m kidding, just say when and I’ll be there,’ said Rebecca.

‘And I’d have to make sure I have someone to take care of my pets,’ Molly said. ‘But I’m sure they’d survive a few days without me.’

‘Do we have to do water aerobics or anything?’ asked Wendy. Miranda shook her head. ‘Good, then I’ll be there too. And hopefully I’ll be another few kilos lighter by the next time we meet.’

‘Wendy, you’re looking great. Even if we did have water aerobics, you’d knock ‘em dead!’

‘That’s what I’m afraid of!’ She laughed.

‘Is Serenity Retreat a carbon-neutral business?’ asked Mother Nature .

Huh? Miranda gave Shauna an empty look, making a mental note to Google what carbon-neutral meant. ‘Um, I’ll get back to you on that one.’

Liz cleared her throat. ‘How about I compile a contact list with everyone’s details, and send it to you all via email. That way you can keep in touch, and organise a yearly meet-up.’

‘Great idea.’ Miranda couldn’t wait to organise the details.

A truckload of happiness dumped its welcome load on Cara’s heart as she finished off her dessert-to-die-for and leaned back with a satisfied sigh. ‘That was beautiful.’

‘It sure was,’ said Liz as she rose from her chair. ‘Now, everyone, I have an announcement to make.’ She cleared her throat. ‘All of you would have read my book ‘Your Life Your Way’, which you received in your welcome pack at the start of the program.’ Everyone nodded. ‘Well...’ She made a drumroll sound on the table with her hands. ‘The publisher has accepted my proposal for another book! I’ve signed a contract to produce a new book based on The Life Makeover Club with what we’ve covered throughout this program. And, for those who agree, I’d like to include some case studies of real-life examples, to show people how others have created the life of their dreams.’ Liz rubbed her hands together. ‘Plus, I’ll be going on tour once the book is released, giving Life Makeover workshops in major cities around Australia, possibly overseas if the book reaches a wider market. I may call on some of you to come with me and share your experience on stage if you wish.’

‘Oh wow, I’d totally do that!’ Cara said. ‘Though maybe not overseas. That would have to wait till my kids are older.’

Every woman stood and applauded, and Miranda jumped up and down saying, ‘I’ll come too, I’ll come!’

‘Thank you, ladies, thank you. And of course, I’m going to give each of you a couple of copies of the book; one for yourself, and one to pass onto someone you think may need it.’

Cara knew of a few mothers that could do with a copy.

‘Can I just say ... this club has been the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,’ Gina revealed. ‘Thank you, Liz. Who knows, maybe I’ll write a bestseller one day too.’

‘I wouldn’t be at all surprised. Thanks, Gina.’ Liz sidled up to her and put an arm around her. ‘Now, I have another announcement.’

‘More good news? Is Brad Pitt waiting outside the door to meet us? Or Hugh Jackman?’ Miranda joked.

Or Henry Cavill? Cara remembered her visualisation fantasy from one of the meetings.

‘How’d you guess?’ Liz chuckled. ‘No, afraid not.’ She cleared her throat. ‘I know that some of you have been wondering what will happen next year now that your time in the club has come to an end. Well, I’ve been working hard on a secret project, and now I am happy to tell you that you’re all going to be the founding members of my Life Makeover Graduates Club. If you want to, that is!’

‘Whatever it is, I’m in!’ said Miranda, and Cara agreed.

‘It’s not a club like this one, it’s more of an online network. Only for those who’ve completed the twelve-month program. You’ll get a password to access the members website which will have lots of resources to help you continue making the most of your life, and there’ll be occasional workshops and webinars run by myself and guest speakers, and maybe even a yearly retreat.’ Liz’s cheeks glowed a warm pink. ‘The online membership will be at no cost to you, as founding members, though future graduates will pay a small yearly fee if they wish to be a part of it. ’

Even better! Excitement danced through Cara’s body, filling her with an exuberant energy she hadn’t felt in a long time. ‘Wow, thanks, Liz. That sounds amazing.’

‘It feels like Christmas!’ Miranda said.

‘Hey, don’t talk to me about Christmas,’ said Cara. ‘I’m still cleaning up from the one we just had.’ She went to nudge her in the ribs but, remembering they’d been broken in the not-too-distant past, lightly slapped her on the arm instead.

‘Anyway,’ Liz said. ‘I’ll email you all with the details soon. Now, I have something for all of you.’ She moved to the side table where her bunch of flowers lay next to a box. Lifting the lid, she withdrew some papers. ‘I’m going to call you up one at a time and present you with a graduation certificate. I know this isn’t a degree or diploma, but what you’ve all been through and achieved this year is worthy of a certificate in my opinion.’

‘Oh, how cool!’ Cara jiggled in her seat as though she had turned into Miranda. This was a nice substitute for the Graphic Design degree she had missed out on. And it actually meant more to her.

Liz picked up the first certificate. ‘Before you collect your certificate, I’d like you to tell the group the main lesson you’ve learned this year. If there’s one thing; one simple piece of wisdom you could take away from all this, what would it be? Gina, you’re first.’

‘Are we going up in order of how punctual we are?’ Cara leaned back and threaded her hands behind her head as though gearing up for a long wait.

Liz laughed. ‘I hadn’t planned it that way,’ she thumbed through the pile of certificates, ‘but now that you mention it, you are in fact lucky last.’ She smiled.

‘Just as I thought.’ Cara smiled.

Gina stood, drawing a deep breath. ‘The main thing I’ve learned is to have the courage to follow your heart, and be true to yourself and your passions.’ Gina accepted her certificate and the group applauded.

‘Miranda?’ Liz raised her eyebrows, and Miranda stood.

‘It sounds so obvious, but I realised how important it is to be happy with yourself, before you can be happy with another person. Also, I’ve learned you need to accept people for who they are, not for who you want them to be, and ... oh, sorry, one thing I’ve learned. Okay, I’ll stop now!’ Miranda giggled as Liz handed her the certificate.

More certificates were received, and more words of wisdom imparted, until finally, Cara stood.

‘Now for our better-late-than-never member: Cara.’ Liz chuckled, hugging an arm around her as she approached.

Cara was prepared for this, as Pete had asked her recently what she’d got out of the club. ‘I’ve learned that peace and happiness don’t come from somewhere else. I kept searching for something outside of me to bring me happiness, but I had it inside all along, I just had to awaken it. I’ve learned to find the peace in each moment; in the chaos of life, and to make my own needs a priority, as well as my family’s,’ she said, then added, ‘I really should write this out and stick it on the fridge, if there’s any room!’

‘Good idea, and well said, Cara.’

Cara accepted the cool laminated certificate in her hands, and a tingle of achievement shot up her arm. Her smile grew as more applause filled the room.

Liz sat and picked up her glass. ‘I think it’s time for a toast. To all of you, and your new lives!’ She held up her glass .

‘No, Liz, to us and our new lives,’ Cara corrected.

‘To us!’ Liz gave a single confident nod of her head, and everyone raised their glasses towards the middle of the table with a symphony of clinks.

‘To us!’

Heads leaned back as champagne was swallowed, and Liz stood. ‘Before we officially end this evening’s celebration, I have one more task I need you to do.’

‘More homework?’ Miranda asked, as the women eyed each other with curiosity.

‘No, no more homework,’ Liz said, and Miranda lifted a hand to her heart in dramatised relief. ‘This is something we’re all going to do now. What I want to say first, is that things don’t stop here, just because you’ve achieved some goals. Change is always occurring, and new opportunities and challenges will keep presenting themselves. Life is always moving, and it’s up to you to keep it moving in the direction you want. So right now, I want you to close your eyes, and think of how you want the following year to unfold.’

Everyone obliged, used to Liz’s spontaneous visualisation exercises. ‘You’ve seen what can happen in a year, so where do you want to be this time next year? How do you want things to progress, what do you want to experience, and how do you want to feel?’

Cara pondered Liz’s questions, and wondered how things might turn out another year from now.

‘I want you to think of one word, and one word only, that sums up your hopes and dreams for the following year. What is the first thing that comes to mind? It doesn’t have to be original, and it doesn’t matter if some of you choose the same word. Just think of a word that feels good to you, and when you’ve got it, open your eyes.’

Got it. Cara opened her eyes, and gradually the group did the same, as Liz placed black markers in front of each woman.

‘Okay, now stand up, and pull one of the balloons down.’ Liz gazed at the bright bulging colours resting on the ceiling, ribbon dangling from each of them. Everyone yanked one down, Cara jumping to reach one. ‘On the balloon, write down your word.’ Lids clicked and squeaks sounded as markers moved across the taut rubber of the balloons.

Pop! Miranda jumped backwards. ‘Sorry! I got a little too enthusiastic!’ she confessed, as she picked up the limp remains of her balloon.

‘Which is why I brought extra.’ Liz grinned, pointing to the other balloons above the table. Miranda pulled another one down and wrote on it gently. Liz wrote on one too. ‘Now, follow me out to the balcony, and when I tell you to, we’re all going to yell out our special word, and release the balloons into the sky. Are we ready?’ Liz beckoned over her shoulder, and the women nodded as they followed her outside, balloons bouncing and rubbing against each other like crowds in morning rush hour. Cara was surprised that Shauna didn’t complain about the environmental hazard of doing such a thing, but maybe she was too excited to worry about it.

A soft, warm breeze breathed over Cara’s skin. ‘Looks like we’ve got fairy lights out here too, Liz.’ She glanced up at the brilliant silver stars speckled throughout the sky. Maybe each was shining for one person on Earth, guiding their way through the darkness. She looked at her balloon and smiled at the word, SHINE .

‘It’s a beautiful night; so still, and calm,’ said Miranda, the word PATIENCE adorning her balloon.

‘It sure is.’ Gina had written FREEDOM on her balloon.

‘Now, hold the emotion of your new hopes and dreams firmly in your mind,’ Liz instructed. ‘And on the count of three, say your word and release the balloon. Ready?’

This time, Cara was . More than ever.

‘One, two ... three!’

A burst of voices embellished the air with jewels of the future as everyone released their ribbon. Nine balloons floated gently into the midnight blue sky, carrying with them hopes, dreams, and wishes, while below, nine faces smiled.

THE END