I’ve talked about grief before. The grinding, end-of-world kind of grief that shatters lives. No promises are made to contrary – the one thing we can all know is that there will be pain,, hardship, suffering. The best we can hope for is that we might be spared it for long enough to reach our... Continue Reading →
I love the beach, but I’m afraid I don’t like the sea at all…
When I was about ten, my father fulfilled a personal dream by buying himself a small sailing boat, to keep moored at Portland Harbour, a few miles from where we used to live. The idea of the boat filled me with excitement. I loved the idea of being able to go and travel somewhere on... Continue Reading →
White Jackets…
I never cease to be amazed at how God loves to bless us. There are times that He comes through for us when we’re desperately in need – like when a single mum friend of mine couldn’t find the money for her severely damaged front door. A few church friends, who knew there was a... Continue Reading →
Little grey boxes
I was one of those kids who chatter a lot. My family called it waffling, and my brother would make a hand signal of fingers and thumb being opened and shut together like a barking dog whenever I was caught in the act of talking too much. Which was most of the time. I was... Continue Reading →
The very desire of my heart…
He had given me the very desire of my heart. And in doing so, he gave me my life’s work. So what has given me this heart for running a gospel choir and getting people to sing? I’ll tell you. I come from one of those hatchings, matchings and dispatchings families. You know the kind? It’s... Continue Reading →
Dear Mum, (Letter from a re-homed kitten),
I thought it was probably about time I wrote to you to tell you how I’m getting on in my new home. I live with the three humans that took me away. They all seem to have two names; there is one who has the same name as you, Mum, which is a bit of... Continue Reading →
To Brave Women Who Went Before Me…
I have grown up in an environment that has allowed me to believe in, and hope for the best from my life. I was educated to a standard that taught me to make the best of my opportunities and that dreams and ambitions are as acceptable in a woman as they are in a man.... Continue Reading →
When we do our bit…
It’s time to come clean with you all – or maybe, it’s more about being honest with myself – I am a singer of only moderate talent. Also, whilst in the general run of things I’m fairly intelligent - when I speak, I regularly make more noise than sense. And my ability to work hard... Continue Reading →
Meeting Aunt Rose
Rose was an ageing friend of the family who I never got to meet. Up until I was about ten years old, there would be presents from Rose, every Christmas, for my two sisters, my brother and myself. Nothing big, but dutifully chosen every year, reliable as rainfall. Until she died... I never saw a... Continue Reading →