healingwords: poetry for the soul

Today is a big day in Spain, children are allowed outside for the first time in 6 weeks, my grandson is on his bike and the baby feeling the sunshine for his first outing since birth. I am counting down the days, the Government plan is for people to be allowed out for exercise and walks from May 2nd if all goes well this week. The strict lockdown has worked and the out of control rise in virus cases is now reducing. However we will need caution in the days and weeks ahead, things will change and we are changing already in our expectations. Today is just for rejoicing that our children have the freedom to run again. 

Best birthday wishes to my brother Chris, for always being there for me.  © 2019 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

As summer reaches its peak it is too hot to do much after 9 in the morning. In a culture where the world comes to life when the sun drops and it starts to cool, it is hard to sleep before the early hours of morning and hard to wake to walk before the heat. Being in the cool of the trees before the sun burns off the mist, soaking up the green, is definitely worth the later tiredness and we always have the option to 'siesta'.

This evening I ended 12 years of service as a Councillor in my village, walking away from the Town Hall with the love and appreciation of fellow Councillors and work companions who have become good friends.  We have shared times of great difficulty and celebrated great achievements and I have learned the true meaning of friendship and the value of working for your community and standing up for your rights and beliefs. I would like to thank all who have joined me in this journey. This poem is a reflection on ending one part of my life and looking forward to the next.  AS ONE DOOR CLOSES I walk a little lighter,  the key jangling large between house and car,  used one last time to close the wooden doors  on my public duty. A score of years  marked time  as  my children  grew to adults,  raised on commitment, campaigners all,  noble in their fight. I too grew;  from a fearful start,...