My Newt

This week I’ve been clearing out my pond. Plants were tidied and re-potted, half of the water was pumped out, sludge and dead autumn leaves were carefully cleared and removed…

Easily seen frogs are just starting to get active… small dragonfly larvae needed to be found and returned… newts are sometimes almost undetectable – when they’re minute…(!)

My newt… needs care for his wellbeing. I returned him to the pond.

My friend Kate messaged me yesterday: ‘Just wanted you to know that you and Rachel have been in my thoughts quite a bit lately…’ I phoned Kate…

We’ve known Kate for many years. The last year has been tough for Kate. Her husband has died, she has one or two health concerns. I wanted to check how she was… we chatted… ‘But how are you?’ she asked…

My friend Kate… genuine mutual loving concern, dependability, consistency…

Yesterday was granddaughter-Hannah’s 18^th birthday. The family came round. There were presents, conversation, laughter, jokes about ‘now I’m an adult’.

‘Adult’ Hannah phoned the Chinese Takeaway order… I was required to fetch it. There was eating… more conversation, laughter… and cake. The family left. There was quiet again. We reflected on a good evening.

My granddaughter-Hannah… proud grandfather… a maturing relationship with a maturing granddaughter.

At ‘Singing for Health’ yesterday there were about 30 of us – folks with dementia, illnesses, disabilities… It was St Patrick’s day so we sung Irish songs… Molly Malone, The Irish Rover, Danny Boy…

Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountainside,
The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling,
It’s you, it’s you must go, and I must bide.

My Danny Boy… loss, departure, life and death… but home and hope of meeting again

Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd’. King David  said: ‘The Lord is my shepherd.’

My shepherd… care for wellbeing… consistent loving concern… pride in a maturing relationship… through the realities of life and death… bringing hope.