Vanity and the sacredness of life

Sunday 17th January, 2012

Emails tell me that a few friends have now had the vaccination and more have been informed of the time and date for theirs. Perhaps I know people of my own age and above so are we the vulnerable ones? One friend sent me a philosophical tract on growing old with dignity...I put it in the Trash bucket of my iPad. I did read it first and realised that in fact age can be a huge spiritual boon but the physical side is not so much fun. Indeed on my walk today I puffed and panted up the local hills and decided to be humble and accept what is a reality. Yet I shall attempt to stay young in heart but find wisdom in my experiences. Sorry, that sounds very pompous.

Another friend sent me a photograph of her twelve pots of home made marmalade. Oh dear, this year I am not making my own and I felt a pang of envy. I will, however, when Covid allows be inventive and imaginative and find a way to use MaMade with extra pieces of chunky orange peel and added spices and herbs.

Then I discovered that a donation to Mary's Meals, a charity I hugely admire, would be doubled if given via a friend by late January. So I emailed and she has agreed to put the money in and see it doubled. How much is needed to keep life going in countries which have so little. One country helped by the Charity can feed a child for a year on £14!

Otherwise an ordinary Sunday except for the sky being totally pink at 9am when I drew the curtains. It was breathtaking. It confirmed my pondering of the poets who see in Nature the presence of God. I can understand the pagan approach seeing each created thing having its own dynamism. Wordsworth, Hopkins, Clare, Cowper all came to mind. Also I have just finished Daniel Holmes's Book and he too, after ten years and more of injustice, imprisonment, heart ache and suffering sees the good in humankind, in nature and of course humankind is part of nature. Yes, nature is red in tooth and claw but also stunningly beautiful, creative and spiritual.

I streamed Mass from Ontario. Superb sermon on the human vocation.

I tested to see whether the car I am lent is still able to start and move. It is....so I am relieved and plotting to get some more coffee. For tonight I am defrosting a pheasant given me for Christmas. However food deliveries from the Super Markets up here are getting rapidly booked up. We have just booked one which is three weeks ahead as there was nothing available before.

The walk was good. Two friends seen and shouted at. Three stunning flying swans over the Tay. Two bags full of litter and a packet of hot chicken lunch from the local shop, reduced by eighty percent.

A sunny day and as I write another pink sky but with yellow and golden rays of sunlight lightening the clouds in to cathedrals of beauty. What a show!

Finally I have just had an email from my artist friend. It contains a picture of the sketch she did of me some weeks ago. She has touched it up. To me it really is amazing. She says I look like a mystic monk! If only. I think it may be a little flattering as the face is ascetic and thin and one does not notice the lack of hair.

Vanity of vanities all is vanity. Yet life is sacred and beautiful.