What a wonderful world

Saturday 17th October, 2020

I know I have said and written and thought it a thousand thousand times but life really is extraordinary.

Last night I was thinking of two people and wondering how they were. I was thinking that I ought to write or get hold of them somehow. In fact I was obviously so concerned that I dreamed about them. One were a lovely couple from my days spent in Suffolk. The other was an old pupil who has ended up in a specialised hospital in Maidstone. The couple and I correspond quite frequently. Like me they have little technological skill thus no mobile phone or texting machine, no iPad or computer or access to emails and Google or whatever gets one in to cyber space. So we write letters and I love to hear from them. The husband is in his late eighties and has much wisdom and little religious faith, in fact none. She is in her late sixties and is full of faith and good works with her church and ever has deeply pious advice and understanding. My friend in hospital has no access to computers, is not allowed out without guards, rarely gets to see family for various reasons and so we too write. Sadly I do not write often enough. When I can decipher his writing he too has a religious and spiritual approach to life and is ever trying to find out "God's Will' for himself. A gentle good man, once a world renowned model.

This morning I went off to Mass first thing...the feast of St Ignatius of Antioch, a martyr who believed in solidarity, unity in Christ and unity and solidarity among humans, God's people. A great sermon. I said a prayer for my friends. I relish being able to pray for friends. It brings them to my focus and, I believe, to the attention of God and the heavenly hosts (even though God ever has them in the 'Palm of his hand', to quote Julian of Norwich.)

I then popped in to the library and lost my Christian aura by getting impatient with a lady and her two grandchildren at the book counter. The librarian tut tutted me, rightly. Then I picked up a newspaper at the local Spar shop and met an acquaintance there, two metres behind me and masked, so it took time to identify him. He bemoaned not having seen his children now in London for four months.

I walked home and picked up my mail. Yes, you have guessed. Two letters. One from the couple, one from the ex pupil in hospital.

After a long walk this afternoon I watched some film on television. It was of the sort that I cannot recall its name or the actors. Yet it was entertaining  and the 'goodies', thank goodness, won!

Then two more truly wonderful things happened. First an email with the funeral service of an old friend which I cannot attend and is being held on Monday. She was a loyal Catholic, a literary figure, a stalwart countryside lady, a generous benefactor to many people and charities. She was in her nineties and blind and deaf but still feisty. The service has all the right readings and sentiments.

From the letters of St Paul...I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.

From Henry Scott Holland...Death is nothing at all. All is well. Nothing is hurt, nothing is lost.

The poem Nod by Walter de la Mere

Elizabeth Fry's 'Do not stand at my grave and weep'.

To me the service is perfect for my friend.

Then the door bell rang and behold a parcel from Amazon. Somewhat puzzled I opened it. Two bars of the bestest chocolate in the world: 'Tony's chocolonely' and a note saying " enjoy! And don't eat in one day!!" Well, I took the sender at her word and I have eaten only one bar while writing this. I feel so so uplifted...no need for wondering if it is a wonderful world...it is.

#henrryscottholland #stpaul #elizabethfry #tonyschocoloney #walterdelamare #goodfight #godswill #stignatius