Testosterone Towers stays at home - Day 63

We went on the M25 today.
The last time we travelled on a motorway was exactly 9 weeks ago, 
but we had no idea that we were about to go into self-isolation.
Maybe it's just as well?
 
We'd conducted a family dedication on March 15th,
stayed overnight, then travelled home via Clevedon Marine Lake.
It was a beautiful day, if a little chilly.
I had a swim with some of the regulars there,
then we had a walk along the front.

It's always a trip down memory-lane when we go to Clevedon.
"Do you remember that really hot day we had a picnic and played cricket?
Wasn't it funny when the boys...?
Grandad-Fred always loved it here, remember when he...?"

J.M. Barrie writes 
'God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.'

And isn't it especially true at the moment, 
that our memories are one of the things that help us keep going?
Add to that a few hopes and dreams and we're back in the game.

So back to today.
I can't say I've missed travelling on the M25,
but today felt like a little adventure;
and on our return home, in conversation with our lovely window-cleaner,
we confirmed it's not the big things we miss, not really.
It's the little things.
The proper chats, the hand-holding, the hugs with those we love but are unable to see.
It's hard.

But I believe God brightens our day with small blessings, 
and when we notice those,
so they take on a greater significance.

Our appreciation makes us appreciative.
Our gratitude makes us grateful.
We are blessed, and we become a blessing.

Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, 
choosing gratitude until we are grateful, 
and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise.
–Richard Rohr

               
               Clevedon Marina Lake
             The lull before the storm.

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