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9. Day 24: Silent Night, Holy Night
Our plan for the day included lunch with some BNI Connect friends, a carol service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, dinner and the West End play “The Play That Goes Wrong”. It also ended up including letting the maintenance guy in to repair the washing machine, grocery shopping for a Christmas Cake and walking for miles. The thronging crowds reminded me it was also one of the last shopping days before Christmas. I had a little cough on the Underground which blew up into another coughing fit at the wonderful Indian restaurant...
read more9. Day 23: Tidings Of Comfort & Joy
On this very busy, full day leading up to our delicious celebration of Christmas let us take time to breathe and extend much love to our thoughts. What instantly came to my mind was the carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. I just started singining, humming really, this hymn to my teaming thoughts of “Why can’t I get the washing machine door open?” to “Where will we have Christmas lunch?” to “I still miss my loved ones who are not right here with me even though everything is perfect.”...
read more9. Day 22: My Flat In London
We have arrived in our flat in London for Christmas. It is wonderful, sumptuous and feels like a real home. I do not know the owners but they take the magazines I would if I lived here. They love art, family and good furniture and have great lighting. I am sending them all kinds of love and joy for Christmas just for the warm welcoming flat (including tea in the cupboard). It was an arduous journey made with mostly cheerful faces though by the end of the day we were exhausted. Our day started in Carnforth with a sassy female Cabbie who...
read more9. Day 21: Joy Is God-speed
The siege in a cafe in the CBD in Sydney last week by a Muslim radical has led to a flurry of Muslim/anti-Muslim interviews, news stories here in the UK and overheard casual commentary on trains and in coffee houses. The act of violence and spectacle again raises the issue of conflict, distrust and even hatred between “us” and “them”. This fear and distrust is uncomfortable especially when it is in your face. I noticed while traveling by train from Lancaster to London on surely one of the busiest train travel days...
read more9. Day 20: Joy Is Freedom
Prison does things to a person. Even if it is pretend. Today we visited Lancaster Castle which was a prison up until 2011. It is am imposing building; sturdy, solid, resonating with history, grief and ordinary boredom. There are still operational courts in the castle complete with carved stone, huge paintings of various dukes and princes and crests of everyone from the most recent High Sheriff to Queen Elizabeth II. We had one of the most interesting tours we have had in all of the places we visited. Our docent was a part time actor who...
read more9. Day 19: Surprised By Joy
Today dawns slowly and I am brushing up on my Wordsworth in preparation for our visit to Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, two beloved homes of the great romantic poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth knew joy. And grief, and longing, sadness and utter delight. He lived and felt and expressed the emotions and circumstances of his own life. I was struck by his working definition of poetry; “the spontaneous overflow of emotion recollected in tranquility”. This could be the very definition of my journaling. My journaling, indeed...
read more9. Day 18: Joy Really Is Light
The days are getting shorter and shorter here, as they are all over the northern hemisphere. However, we are farther north than we normally are and we are experiencing a mild form of PTSD with the daily gathering darkness. It is nye on 8am as I write and it is still pitch dark. I never realized just how connected to the light my body is. I literally crave the sunshine and light. (oh, reminder to self, take some vitamin D) We are sluggish to start the day and want to curl up in a nappy rug and 3:30 when the sun starts to leave again. We...
read more9. Day 17: The Office Is Leaking……Joy?
Another call in the middle of the night gave us a renewed opportunity to be present, admit powerlessness on the one hand and all joy, peace, and trust on the other hand. California has been experiencing drought conditions for the past nearly two years. Our rainfall has been scant, we have been on segregated watering days and even the Mercedes Benz service department has ceased offering a car-washing service for owners due to water restrictions. We don’t get served water at restaurants unless requested and though old trees are being...
read more9. Day 16: Joy Is Four Ducks In A Row
We have had the most wonderful time on this trip traveling all over England, visiting friends, seeing ancient and sacred sites, experiencing history and many new perspectives. Still, the highlight of our trip begins as our beautiful daughters finally join us to celebrate Christmas together as a family. We have been blessed with children who grew up to be wonderful adults, full of love, peace and adventure. That they choose to spend the holidays with us is still one of my greatest joys. I know the times will come that it might not always...
read more9. Day 15: How Mighty Is His Love
It is with great tears of joy I share the following news. My dear cousin’s son was diagnosed suddenly, with a life threatening cancer just days after I began my Twelvemonth of Self Love blog. Somehow these two journeys are connected in my mind and heart. The path of trust, commitment, the unknown and the unending extending of love on a minute by minute basis have melded into one. So many times the texts would come for more prayer, firm willingness, and unwavering trust. My cousin gathered as many as possible to stand with her and...
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