Ten things of Thankful April 18th 2020

18th April 2020

Today I'm joining the blog hop  for ten things of thankful.

Hearing the latest figures for people who've died of the coronavirus in the UK reaching over fifteen thousand and still being in Lockdown, now for another three weeks at least, I thought I'd try and look at life with a more positive  view.

We've still got six days of total isolation in the house because we've had some symptoms.








So, my ten things:
I am grateful that I am feeling much better and I am now clear of  symptoms, so I look forward to Friday  and getting out and going on a long walk. I find it hard to be motivated to do anything productive.
I am thankful that my husband seems to be recovering now from his operation. I find the tension that built up in my shoulders slowly releasing
I am thankful that we live near the sea and my  walk will be along the coast. I've taken for granted this  wonderful natural resource we have so near us. I will make up for that by breathing the sea air deep into my lungs as the music of  waves soothes my soul. I am looking forward to it so much.
I am thankful that we have enough food in the cupboard and when we don't we have family to help us fill it again. I am particularly grateful to a son who shopped for us and delivered everything we needed four days ago. There were a few things we forgot, like peas. We have got peas in the freezer, but we won't be eating them. I used them as an ice pack when my husband was burning up.
I am thankful for my writer friends who are meeting  up on Zoom weekly to talk about the writing we've been doing . We share our writing by email first so we can  read it beforehand, then come together to discuss it. I find these impromptu workshops both inspirational and encouraging. In fact that's the reason I'm now writing on my blog.
I am thankful for my garden with the beautiful statue of Our Lady which I ponder on more than normal at this weird time.

I am thankful for so many good memories of camper trips. When all this is over we'll be off again, maybe to Cornwall for a few weeks. So many adventures to look forward to as we discover new places and people.
But before we go anywhere we'll catch up with all the family . So lots of visiting, seeing grandchildren. Can't wait.
I am thankful and also immensely proud of all my children and grandchildren -  everyone unique, caring and loving.
I am thankful for the churches who are live streaming masses everyday, keeping us close. We are finding it comforting and grounding and sometimes we get a really good homily to keep us going throughout the day. We have "been to" Canada, Ireland, London, Walsingham and many more places.

Well, that's it for this post.

I pray for all those who've died with Covid 19 and those who will die in the coming weeks , and also for all their families who suffer so much at this time.

Day 21 - Screaming Into The Wind

21st Oct 2019


Cold, grey miserable day .
I have come late to write my offering for the challenge.
But I have come.
So:
Day 21 - Going with the Prompt

Screaming Into The Wind

Little by little ,inside my head,
It grows,
Becomes the heaviest of weights,
To bear.
I try to hide it, abide it, so
nobody knows
How much it is harming, as if
They care.

One day, when almost ready
To burst,
I take myself down to the sea,
Alone
And there, as if slaking a
mighty thirst
I scream into the wind the
Biggest moan.

I scream into the salty wind,
And pray,
That I can keep going for just
Another day

Day 20 - The Transfiguration

20th Oct 2019

The Transfiguration

It was strange that day.
He took just the three of us with Him,
Peter, James and myself,
Up the mountain to pray.
We chatted as we followed,
What did He mean some of us would 
Not taste death before seeing the
Kingdom of God.
At the top of the mountain
He stopped to pray
All of a sudden
His face, His clothes became white, luminous
Shining like the sun.
We'd never seen anything like it.
Our eyes fixed on Him
Two men appeared, prophets,
Talking to Him - Moses, Elijah.
We, ordinary men, just fell
fell to our knees
in the presence of God's Glory
Then Peter, excited, exuberant, spoke,
He wanted desperately to stay in this moment
Make three tents, he said.
At that moment a cloud came and covered us
The hairs of our heads stood up
A voice from the cloud.
"This is my Son, the chosen one,
Listen to Him"
We could not speak
Peace came over us

Eternal Flame

21st Nov 2016

We had a moving service at church on Saturday to remember and pray for those loved ones who have died during the last year. Like an automaton I went along, not  feeling particularly happy about being there with all those others who also suffered a personal loss so recently.

 But that was, of course, the very thing that made it a moment of special Grace. A lady I knew there whose  son died just a few weeks ago was  with her daughter and grandson, being healed a little . Many of the others were friends who were also grieving and in some way the strength to be gained from us all remembering together was hugely powerful . Many of us shed a tear and comforted each other. 

Eternal Flame

Lit a candle for you both today,

And sat and had a little pray.

I miss you when I make the tea

I miss your jokes and revelry

I miss the stories that you told
Even if they were ones of old
I miss the way you knew all the news
The way you always shared your views.
I miss all our walks in beautiful places
The sea, and the hills, left smiles on our faces
I miss the way, mum, you made apple pie
I couldn't repeat it - how hard did I try.
And dad with your skill and intelligence
I was lucky if I'd got a bit of common sense.
One day we'll meet again I'm sure
When I find the way to the room next door

I