Helen Lee Smith
@helenl-s
Philanthropy and fundraising lead, ex Red Cross. England, UK #refugeeswelcome
Wine tasting, cheese eating, sunbathing day. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.
The last lunar eclipse was in 1999. I watched it from the grounds of a charity run hospice stately home, where I worked. With a few colleagues and a handmade cardboard viewer. There wasn’t smart phones. The next one is decades away, and I’ll be worm food by then. So, the selfie had to be done.
He took the piss and joked right up to the moment I hit the centre bullseye. 🎯 The silence that followed was golden. The best and only way to silence your critics, is not to argue. Just show them.
It’s been a good day at work and now waiting for some girlfriends to come join me. Totally feeling the chilled vibes here in this lovely english pub garden this evening 🍸
I have two big sisters. I’m thankful for this, especially since we lost our mum when we were all young adults. My sister lives in the states. We see each when we can, the three of us try to get time together and I’m grateful for that. Here’s a collection of those times from the last 20 years.
Son’s cricket season is open, and so was the bar. Worse ways to spend an evening in the sunshine tbh.
I’ve had a few weeks off away from the rat race. It’s been nice. I’ve been busy at home. Today, I’ve mosaic-ed a border on a mirror in the downstairs loo and I think a line has now been crossed. I’m a little worried what I may try next.
POV 2026 v 2019 Same team, same passion, different trophies, six years apart. What a proud day 💪🏼
First bluebell walk of 2026. I don’t think I will ever tire of this scene.
Trees like this cherry blossom are meant to be shared with the whole neighbourhood, and I’m absolutely here for it.
I think it’s almost impossible to be blue, when the sky looks like this.
I have spent most of today navigating the ice and snow for the benefit of others (including the crazy lab pictured). But how lucky am I that I have elders still in my life to do all this for? Wouldn’t want it any other way, that is for certain.
A spot of hillwalking at The Roaches to blow away the cobwebs of 2025, then to the pub for a warm by the fire, and to enjoy a cold beer. Good start to the new year.
As it’s almost time to say goodbye to 2025, I’m reflecting on some difficult as well as some wonderful times. And so I expect the same for 2026, but who really knows? One thing is certain, life is change, so remember the good times and smile that it happened.
Ending Christmas Day feeling and looking pretty much like my labrador right now. Still got a couple more drinks and some Terrys chocolate orange to work through before bed. Merry Christmas x
The theme continues. Cheers to Friday evening, the weekend, to cancelled football matches and goodbye to the horrendous week that was.
Worth missing the first episode of #TheTraitors for this tonight. A year of hard work for an incredible team. #proud
A few weeks ago I shared with my mainly millennial work colleagues what a mix tape was, and that I never had anyone make one for me despite it being a thing back in my youth. I have just opened my birthday card from them all -full of lovely thoughtful messages. It’s the small things isn’t it?
If it’s not feeling right or makes you feel sad, it’s time to pivot and move on. Change is inevitable and always brings new possibilities.