I heard from Iris this morning that her 91 year old sister Hilda died early this morning in hospital, after being admitted with a stroke yesterday. Hilda was one of the last people to whom I gave communion at home two weeks ago, on my farewell Sunday. As it's a Bank Holiday today, there's bound to be a delay in making the necessary arrangements. I promised Iris I'd be there for them both - it's not a matter of work but the debt of friendship owed to these two women who were so constant in their support for my attempt to keep a Sunday service going in Tredegarville school after the closure of St James'. All this was despite Hilda's growing frailty, and mobility problems, quietly and courageously borne. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Another day of unpacking and organising, with a few visits to the tip to clear more redundant stuff from the Vicarage garage. The only justification for having accumulated so much is that we raised three kids of our own, and fostered a third. Equipping a succession of large houses over the years has encouraged us to expand to accommodate the needs of the brood - needs no longer there, so this is a recognition that a phase of our lives lasting 25 years and over for 15 in effect, now concludes. Our dear neighbour, with whom we had drinks on Saturday, said that he'd prefer to be carried out in his coffin than have to face clearing house and moving. I sympathise, now the job is nearly done.
As a great comfort and consolation, Clare baked bread and cooked pizza for supper, to celebrate the beginning of our new domestic life. The smell of bread freshly baked filled the house like incense, and in a way it consecrates the house just as incense blesses a church.
Another day of unpacking and organising, with a few visits to the tip to clear more redundant stuff from the Vicarage garage. The only justification for having accumulated so much is that we raised three kids of our own, and fostered a third. Equipping a succession of large houses over the years has encouraged us to expand to accommodate the needs of the brood - needs no longer there, so this is a recognition that a phase of our lives lasting 25 years and over for 15 in effect, now concludes. Our dear neighbour, with whom we had drinks on Saturday, said that he'd prefer to be carried out in his coffin than have to face clearing house and moving. I sympathise, now the job is nearly done.
As a great comfort and consolation, Clare baked bread and cooked pizza for supper, to celebrate the beginning of our new domestic life. The smell of bread freshly baked filled the house like incense, and in a way it consecrates the house just as incense blesses a church.
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