Monthly Archives: June 2020

Six are Together Again!

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I was a massive bookworm
when I was growing up
and practically devoured books –
especially those written by
Enid Blyton.
I particularly enjoyed
the Famous Five series of books
in which Julian, George, Dick, Anne
and Timmy the dog
all had adventures.
When I grew up, I decided,
I would live in a house
with an attic and a cellar
so that I, too,
could have adventures!

That all feels
like such a long time ago!
But today
I find myself remembering
the title of one Famous Five book –
“Five are Together Again”
because today,
for the first time
since Coronavirus struck,
our wee family of six
meets-up
face –to-face!

Dinner outside
in summer sunshine,
smiles, laughs
and the gentle sound
of happy conversation
while birds chorus
all around.

You know what?
I don’t need adventures.
Six are together again
at last –
who could ask for more?

© Claire Murray, 24th May 2020

The Blackbird

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A bird flies into our garden
making a very flappy sort of a landing
on the grass.
It cocks its head on one side,
listens intently
and then drills down
into the hard ground.

I watch with interest.
This bird is new to me –
what sort of bird is it?
Dark brown,
the size of a startling
and dumpy in appearance.
Hmmmmm …

The bird turns to face my direction.
I see a dark brown,
speckled breast
and a sharp brown beak.
And in an instant
I know exactly
what bird this is –
it’s a female blackbird
without a tail!

Aww!!!
My heart goes out
to this wee bird
and yet
I’m filled with admiration.

This bird isn’t wasting time
lamenting
its very practical absence of a tail
and all of the elegance
that a tail would bring.
Instead
she is getting on with life –
adapting to her predicament
and successfully rearing her young.

Lord,
next time
life throws a spanner in the works
and I start to feel sorry for myself
remind me
of that wee blackbird –
I just feel that I have
so much to learn
from her! © Claire Murray, 14th June 2020

Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary

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Thirty years ago today
Paul and I got married
on the feast of St Columba.

We were so young then
and we didn’t know it
as we made our vows
and stepped forward
together
into a hectic phase of life –
working, setting-up home
and raising three amazing children.

Coronavirus restrictions mean
that it’s not quite the celebration
we had planned.

Mass online
followed by a socially-distanced chat
with our two girls.

Take-away coffee
from Sinnamon coffee shop
and a picnic underneath an oak tree
at Barnett’s.

A walk along the tow path
where it all began
(once upon a time!)
when we were both students.

Cake to celebrate
and a beautiful bouquet of flowers
delivered to our door.

A day full of memories –
lovely!

Lord,
thank you for blessing us
with thirty happy years
together
and for blessing us
with our three wonderful children.

Thirty years of married life
have flown by
with you by our side, Lord.
Please bless us today
as we enter our next thirty years
(in retirement!)

© Claire Murray, 9th June 2020

Family Get Not-Too-Close Together

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Yesterday
our wee family
all came together
for a barbecue.

This was a barbecue
with a difference!

Two barbecues
were set up,
two tables
were prepared,
two travel rugs
were spread-out
and six chairs
were positioned with care.

This was our small family
get (not too close) together
because of Coronavirus restrictions.

Blazing sun and blue skies,
sun hats and sun cream,
birds singing and bees humming
but best of all
chatter and laughter
and the joy
of simply spending time together,
just the six of us
in person
instead of online –
priceless!

Lord,
thank you
for these happy moments,
this precious family time
spent not-too-close together
during Coronavirus.
A precious afternoon
of happy memories
to sustain us
until the time comes
when it’s safe again
to return once more
to a more traditional
family get-together
(around just one table!)

© Claire Murray, 27th May 2020