Today proves to be
a day of discoveries
for our wee family
when we head off
to Ravensdale Forest
for the first time.

A charming picnic area
set among towering trees
and a cascading stream.

A ring of standing stones
in the shadows of a clearing
where sunlight can’t penetrate.

A cautious red squirrel
in the fork of a beech tree
absolutely motionless
as he stares down at us
when we all file past.

Elegant caterpillars
of velvet black and navy
which drape gracefully
over nettles
in the afternoon sun.

Gazing down from a height
on a circle of hills below
and understanding for the first time
why these hills are called
the Ring of Gullion.

Thank you, Lord,
for today’s wonderland
of Ravensdale Forest.
It reminds me
of just how full of surprises,
how full of you,
creation is!

© Claire Murray, 22nd July 2020

After many days of summer rain
the sun shines
and we all head off for a drive
to Glenariff forest park.

Our walk brings us
up the steep slopes of the glen
where cerise heather
and tiny blueberries
line our path.

We arrive at the top
panting and out of breath
and stand for a few minutes
to enjoy the view –
blue skies,
sloping, narrow green fields
dotted with sheep,
blue sea twinkling
in summer sunlight
and, away in the distance –
Scotland.

A Guinness-coloured stream
churns and gushes beside the path
for only a few yards
before disappearing from sight
over the cliff.

Such a pity –
this gurgling stream was so pretty!

Then I realise
that I’m looking at this
the wrong way round.
This isn’t the end of a stream –
it’s the beginning of a waterfall!

Lord,
so many things happen in life
that simply don’t make sense to us.
Could it be
that we need to look at them
from a different angle
so that we can see breath-taking waterfalls
where others only see a stream
that disappears from sight?

© Claire Murray, 17th July 2020

Every year
around this time
I set-up my “out-of-office” notice
on my work computer
so that everyone who emails me
receives a message
telling them
that I’m on holiday
and when I will return.

Today
I’m setting-up my “out-of-office” notice
for the last time.
I’m retiring today, you see.
Twenty six years of teaching
have just flown by –
hard to believe!

I feel blessed
to have been able to spend
so many years
doing a job
that I enjoy.

Twenty six years
of teaching my “wee students”
(some of whom
were over six feet tall!”)

Twenty six years wonderful years
of working with young people
and helping them along
on their educational journey.

Twenty six privileged years
of watching shy, nervous teenagers
mature, blossom and transform
into smiling, confident young adults.

Lord,
thank you for blessing me
with twenty six amazing years
of doing a job I loved
in a place where I felt
that I belonged.

Please bless me
as I step into a new phase of life
with Paul by my side.

Out of office
and in love –
a winning combination!
Thank you, Lord!

© Claire Murray, 7th July 2020