“Chicken or the egg.” That’s my specialist’s best two guesses as to what has given me a very unexpected crash course in severe salmonella infection. It has been a tough and stretching week physically and emotionally, but hopefully I will be home in the next few days. And a sobering thought I will take with me; … Continue reading Until the storm passes!
Gratitude
He sees us!
She had lost her husband and now her only son. She is broken and weeping. Life is desperate. And then we read: “Jesus saw the woman”. He saw her! And his gut was moved with compassion. I never tire of reading these words. Jesus sees the desperate, young Palestinian woman, who has lost her two dearly loved … Continue reading He sees us!
The legacy we are writing today!
Father’s Day always reminds me of what matters most in life. It brings many cherished things to the front and centre of my mind, as well as challenges to ponder in my lifelong parenting apprenticeship. Today I breathe in deep and appreciate the sheer joy, privilege and delight of being a father. I celebrate the … Continue reading The legacy we are writing today!
We made it to here!
“But, if we made it to here, maybe we have everything it takes to make it to there?” While taking in the beauty of the Ligurian coastline over recent days, the words of Will Small’s wonderful, pandemic-season poem “We Made it to Here” have been on my mind. The line above came into my head as I … Continue reading We made it to here!
The beauty of St Dunstan’s
St Dunstan in the East church garden is a hidden London gem. I’m so glad I made a visit last week. And beyond its beauty and peacefulness, I will remember the garden as the place I got to road test the emergency call function on my watch. Yes, while taking photos and breathing in this … Continue reading The beauty of St Dunstan’s
So thankful for Old Tom!
As I walked through the streets of Oxford on Tuesday night I came across a classic, small English pub, simply named “Old Tom”. Suddenly my mind was full with memories of my wonderful grandfather Tom. It seemed very appropriate to step inside an enjoy an ale and remember my Tom! I can’t recall how my … Continue reading So thankful for Old Tom!
Painful but valuable lessons!
It’s almost been six months since I had spinal surgery. My hope was that the surgery would reduce, or even better, rid me of the pain I have been living with over recent years. My surgeon tells me that his intervention has significantly reduced my risk of experiencing paraplegia. Now that’s a big win, but … Continue reading Painful but valuable lessons!
The gift of Ted!
The gift that is the writing of Tish Harrison Warren “There is a kind of magic at work in Ted Lasso’s life. When everyone else seems to be carried along by the powerful riptides of ambition, vanity, fame, jadedness and contempt, it startles us when someone swims upstream against the current. Lasso’s great humility, again … Continue reading The gift of Ted!
We made it to here!
We’ve all been through so much in recent years. We’ve navigated unchartered territory. We’ve lived with anxiety and tiredness. We’ve learnt new lessons about resilience, adaptability and community. We’ve re-examined priorities and questioned things we took for granted. From the global pandemic, to national tragedies and personal challenges, it has been a stretching season. I’ve … Continue reading We made it to here!
Thankful!
I’ve joined a new club over recent months. I’ve received membership to shopping centre lounge areas where, without overly stereotyping, older men often sit and wait for shopping family members. I’ve done my bit to bring down the average age of the cohort and I’m hoping my membership is temporary. With a coffee and novel … Continue reading Thankful!
apilgrimpens 