Count Down!

Ten … Nine … Eight … Seven …
Six … Five … Four …
Three … Two … One …
We Have Lift-Off!

I grew up at the time
of the moon-landing –
a time when every child
drew pictures of rockets
and could count-down
from ten.
We knew all about count-downs!

These days at Latin Mass
a different sort of count-down
is taking place –
Septuagesima Sunday …
Sexagesima Sunday …
Quinuagesima Sunday.
This is the count-down
to Easter Sunday
and it can only mean one thing –
we are only days away
from the beginning of Lent!

I can’t possibly say
that Lent has snuck up on me
because there has been
a clear count-down at Sunday Mass
for weeks!
It’s time to decide
what I’ll do for Lent –
no excuses!

Life has been so busy
this last month
and I’ve been snowed-under,
caught-up in building work.
But now it’s time
to lift my eyes heavenward
away from the dirt and the dust
and to consider the state
of my soul
(instead of the state
of the building site
that is our home!)

Time to consider,
“What must I do
to inherit eternal life?”

Septuagesima Sunday …
Sexagesima Sunday …
Quinuagesima Sunday …
The count-down
is on!

© Claire Murray, 11th February 2024

90th Birthday

Our family has great cause
for celebration –
it’s Daddy’s 90th birthday
and we all travel to Derry
by car, bus and plane
to join Mammy and Daddy
for the birthday celebrations.

Daddy’s birthday begins
with all of us attending
early morning Mass
in St Eugene’s cathedral
before heading back
to Mammy and Daddy’s
to have cream cookies
for breakfast!

Later on,
lunch in a hotel,
followed by tea, coffee
and birthday cake
(in the shape of a “90”,
of course!)

And, to round up this very special day,
a sing-song at Mammy and Daddy’s flat.
Slow Irish airs played
on the fiddle, mandolin,
flute and guitar
and old favourite songs
sung by all.
Good company,
good music and good craic!

Daddy’s 90th birthday
is a very special day,
marked by two things
that are so important to Daddy –
faith and family.

A real milestone birthday
celebrated by Daddy
surrounded by his family,
with everyone in good form
and in good health.
A truly wonderful and rare blessing.

Thank You, Lord!

© Claire Murray, 2024