Joy Is All Around

In Families… Over the weekend we heard that the Prince and Princess of Wales’s black cocker spaniel Orla has given birth to four puppies.

There were comments like ‘Mother and babies are doing well…’ ‘We always thought the patter of tiny feet in the Wales’s household had ended, so the sound of tiny paws will have to do….’ ‘The royal couple’s children a have fallen in love with the pups.’

It was good to hear news of love and joy in family life.

In Music… On Sunday I enjoyed ‘Jon and Matt’ performing locally. Nearly forty years ago I taught Jon to play guitar at school. Very quickly he became better than me. Over the years I heard about him… becoming a professional musician… living locally… teaching, performing.

I introduced myself, meeting Jon for the first time after all those years. I was delighted that he recognised me. He described how much he enjoyed the guitar as a nine-year-old… and still enjoys music.

Sunday’s performance showed huge quantities of expertise, musicality – and joy.

In Nature… Last night we watched Springwatch. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and the team showed us wonderful pictures of badgers and foxes… short-eared-owls and ring-ouzels…

We enjoyed the wildlife we saw in the Peak District, in Northern Ireland… in urban gardens, in remote moorland, in the water. I particularly enjoy the joyful enthusiasm of the presenters. In his closing comment Chris Packham spoke of ‘Joy from people encountering nature…’

In adversity… I’ve been reading ‘You’re Not Alone’. Andy Child describes his experiences as the father of severely autistic son. Alongside descriptions of extreme difficulties and disability we see loving devotion and determination.

He concludes the book saying: ‘The book’s title is intended to encapsulate the plight of many thousands of families similarly affected, and hopefully to inspire them to both enjoy and cherish the shafts of joy and light as they appear.’

This morning I read and am musing on, ‘Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.’