Our wee house is cold and chaotic
at the moment
and I can describe it perfectly
in just one wee word –
builders!

We have two builders in
at the moment,
you see.
(Builders are a wee bit
like buses –
you wait for ages
but nobody comes
and then two arrive at once!)

Dust everywhere,
icy air blasting through the house
and the occasional accident
(“No big deal!” grins a builder
but memories lie in smithereens
at his feet).

Tension and anxiety
are definitely in the air.

And off I go to Costa
to meet a good friend
for coffee.
Warm air and a big hug
greet me at the door.

Chat, shared confidences
and a belly-full of laughter –
a lovely wee oasis
of cosiness and happiness
in this cold, chaotic week.

Then a lift home again
and a promise to meet up again
when the builders have left,
the dust has settled
and our wee house is cosy and complete
once more.

Thank You, Lord,
for this wee oasis of cosiness
in the midst of chaos
and for the gift of good friends –
the perfect antidote
to a houseful of builders
(aaaagghhh!)

(c) Claire Murray, 18th January 2024