Lord,
we’ve only two days
of our holiday left,
only two more days
of precious family time together
before we return
to the hustle and bustle
of ordinary daily family life
in Dundrod.
I find myself wondering
about your precious family time
when you were wee.

Was it time spent with Joseph
in the workshop,
feeling so grown up and important
as you swept sawdust
and long, golden wood shavings into piles?
Then eating a meal together afterwards
and swelling with pride
as Joseph mentioned to your Mammy
what a great help you had been
and how he couldn’t have done
all of that work
without you
and then adding
that he could see in you
the makings of a fine, young man
while your Mammy looked at you
with love and smiles
in her brown eyes?

A small family,
working hard
together,
sharing a meal
together,
sitting in companionable silence
together
in a tiny house
full of family
and full of love.
Precious family time!

© Claire Murray