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Showing posts from August, 2019

A new perspective in grief

Typically, the beginning of a new year has always prompted in me a fresh resolve to begin or recommit to a resolution that fell by the wayside long ago; usually a casualty of the inevitable hurly burly of life and the big beautiful mess that it so often is. The turning over of a brand new calendar page will evoke in me an optimism for the year that lies ahead. I am an optimist at heart and therefore am hopeful that a new year will be a little better. Summer has naturally been a time to take stock and plan for the year ahead.  However, this year I’ve approached things very differently. The events of the past 18 months have left on me a big heart wound. Last year was filled with so much sadness and grief, one does not simply turn the page and move on as if all that was in the past has no lasting impact on the present. While the end of a year naturally brings to a conclusion some things, feelings and emotions are a little more elusive to box up. Rather than resolving to do and be someth

"Remember when..." What milestones do you celebrate?

I like the image of a long hiking adventure, to describe how I see life’s journey. To view a mountain range is breathtaking and to walk its course a privilege. However when you get up close to the task at hand, you find there are a lot of variables that can make the journey both exhilarating and hard work. It takes us to valleys and peaks, wilderness and beauty. Rocky paths and steep climbs give way to clearings and views that revive the soul. My hiking adventure over the past few years has been uphill and rocky, so when the path began to clear and the incline slackened; it was a moment to pause and rejoice. A moment to remember. On Sunday our eldest son, made a public declaration of faith in Jesus. He did this through confirmation and the sharing of his testimony; speaking of what God has been doing in his life. His decision to take this very personal step and to share it with our church family, was a significant moment; both for himself and for our own family. For myself and my hus