Lord,
thank you for bringing us
to where we are now –
at the end of our first September
of retirement.

Thank you, Lord,
for an end to 6.30 am starts.

Thank you, Lord,
for time to dander
along the Lisburn Road
and sit in coffee shops.

Thank you, Lord,
for being able to book appointments
for any day of the week.

Thank you, Lord,
for time to plant, build and tend
in our garden.

Thank you, Lord,
for bracing walks
up Divis Mountain
on crisp, clear mornings.

Thank you, Lord,
for time to sit down together
and watch “Neighbours”
at lunch time
and for time to pray the Rosary
afterwards.

Thank you, Lord,
for time to step back
from all of the rushing about.

Thank you, Lord,
for the wonderful freedom
of being able to ask ourselves
each morning,
“What will we do today?”

But most of all
thank you, Lord,
simply for time to spend
together.

© Claire Murray, 12th October 2020