Things to treasure

# Watching a four week old baby fall asleep in your arms

# Friends that, upon hearing your voice slowly dying to the flu, tell you to come out, drink whisky and sing like Janis Joplin.

# Bosses that send you home early because, as indicated above, you sound like a strangled animal

# Roast duck, artichoke and orange salad, and a chocolate tart cooked by Mum. Realising you haven't eaten that well since, well, last time you went home.

# Carrying old furniture out to the nature strip and then realising it was hand-embroidered by your Grandmother and suddenly wanting it back.

# Grasping the death of Christ all over again

# Washing up while listening to the story of a 10 year old girl who became pen pals with a Latin American dictator

# Eating yoghurt flavoured gelato

# Long-distance phone calls

# Short-distance hugs