A snatchet of a hymn
pops into my head –
“I lift my voice
to worship You
O my soul, rejoice!”
It plays there for quite some time
on repeat
as I walk with my family
in Tollymore.

Rustling leaves
and crunching beechnuts underfoot,
blue skies overhead,
the churning, cascading Shimna river
beside us as we walk.

Today really is a glorious day,
made all the sweeter
by its unexpectedness
in October.

A sense, as we dander along,
that this day,
with my family,
is a real gift from God.

And yet,
it’s a bitter-sweet day
for us
because we’re deeply aware
that not everyone
has been blessed
with the gift of today.

Yesterday
ten people lost their lives
in an explosion
at a filling station
in Creeslough, Donegal,
a place we know well.

As we absorb
the beauty and peace
of Tollymore
we each offer up a silent prayer
for those who died
or were injured.

May Shauna & Robert,
Catherine & James,
Leona, Hugh,
Jessica, Martin,
James and Tina
all rest in peace
and may God comfort
their devastated families.

© Claire Murray, 8th October 2022