Our week’s stay at Malin
appears to be sandwiched
between Storm Ciara
and Storm Dennis.
Storm Ciara has been raging
for days
and we have just heard
on the radio
that Storm Dennis
is on its way!

Oh dear!
What a week to holiday
up near Ireland’s most northerly point!

But as I look out the kitchen window
I see a solitary primrose –
one pale, wee flower
bursting with the promise of spring
as a gale blows
all around our wee cottage.

And do you know what?
Against all odds
for three afternoons
it actually feels like spring
as we enjoy glorious blue skies
and sparkling Atlantic waters
before dark clouds gather (again!)
and Storm Dennis howls
into Malin.

© Claire Murray, 16th February 2020

I’m in a jam.
It’s nearly Valentine’s day
and Paul’s card
is still a work in progress.
If I don’t finish it off today
I’ll have to resort to Plan B –
a shop-bought card.

At bed-time
I make my decision –
I’ll finish off Paul’s card
when I get up in the morning
instead of spending time in prayer.

But I feel guilty
and as I take my seat
at the kitchen table
inspiration strikes –
“Lord,
can you send your Holy Spirit
to help me with this card
so that I still have time
for prayer?”

And as I sit down
at the kitchen table
with a beautiful sunrise
on one of side of me
and on the other,
I’m absolutely convinced
that the Holy Spirit
is on my other side.

Between us
the Holy Spirit and I
put the finishing touches
to Paul’s card
in record-breaking time.

G O U S ! ! !

And I’d plenty of time left
for morning prayer!
thank you, Holy Spirit!

(c) Claire Murray, 6th February 2020

Today I give thanks
for all of the little things
in my life.

Snowdrops heralding
the approach of spring.
A rainbow fragment
glowing faintly
in the corner of a billowing cloud.
Shimmering, sparkling waters
reflecting blue skies overhead.
A robin singing his heart out
when I awake
in the wee, small hours.

Chatting with a friend
in the canteen
in between classes.
A beaming smile
from one of my students –
full of joy
and innocence.

Columbo with Fiachra and Paul
on a Friday evening.
Whistling a chorus
of the McDonald’s theme tune
driving in the car
with Aoife and Niamh.

Dandering down the Lisburn Road
with Paul
during an afternoon off
as if we’ve all the time in the world –
I feel like I’m a student again!

Seeing Paul dance in the kitchen
when he’s free from pain
and his favourite song
comes on the radio.

My days are dotted
with all these little things
that make me smile.
And when I join the dots
I can see
that they spell out one simple word –
B L E S S E D !

© Claire Murray, 2nd February 2020