RED LETTER DAY!

St Margaret of Scotland, Wednesday 10th June, 2020

A red letter day today. I only discovered the origin of the phrase 'red letter' recently. Red was the colour used of Saints' names and feast days in liturgical books. The rest of the printing was in black. So a red letter day was a feast day. And stood out for celebration. How apposite. Today is the feast day of St Margaret of Scotland. I moved to Scotland some three years ago and feel a deep affinity with the Country and peoples. 

Margaret was born in 1045 in Mecseknadasd in Hungary. One could call her a migrant and learn from this for our own world. She married Malcolm 3rd, became Mother of three kings and a queen consort of England. A woman of deep piety seems to be her mark of holiness. She died in Edinburgh Castle in 1093. This foreign woman now 'of Scotland' and a saint much revered. Let us learn a lesson.

Also making it a red letter day has been the post. First a long letter from a doctor in which he describes his work and the atmosphere of his hospital. He is concerned  "about those too scared to come....we have had patients...with cancer who at operation we simply close up again as it was too late". He also tells of his hobby and life study of nature. He is monitoring the moths in his garden and undertaking an academic study of flies. In nature he sees " the amazing adaptation to life's niches. Nothing is higher or lower- just well adapted. A parasitic worm can live in the bowels of a whale...we cannot". Further comments and ideas feed my curiosity and imagination and mind. A brilliant interesting, insightful and fascinating letter.

Then a birthday envelope. Inside a box of salted caramel chocolates, a card, a financial gift ( does anyone use cash these days? I hope so!) and two books written by the friend's husband. 'My version of the history of sex' and 'Weddings'. I have already dipped in to both and can see myself riveted and getting fat on chocolates as I read absorbedly.

Lastly a letter from a published Welsh poet. He is an amazing, remarkable man and his autobiography is about to be published and he richly deserves to be read. " The world has gone a little crazy, as people forget the main issues and squabble over topics which divide us further. Are we in the times of Revelations? To be honest, for my mental health I avoid the contact with people. It seems the only things one can catch are fear, panic and stupidity. And it is a rife infection". He goes on to write of his faith.

Am I not privileged? To have such a 'feast of fat things' ( a phrase from the prophet Isaiah I love ) is a blessing.

And finally I decided I would have more cherries on my cake, as it were. I opened a parcel which arrived over a week ago and was supposed to be reserved to the actual date of my birth. I was too impatient and opened it. Two fabulous books : 'The Salt Path' by Raynor Winn and 'Into the Magic Shop' by Dr James Doty. I am sick with excitement. A red letter day indeed.

#redletter #thesaltpath #intothemagicshop #books #gifts #saltedcaramels