Just a few days ago I posted a photo of a painting found in Norwich Cathedral... a painting that brought to minf a sense of awe and wonder... today, although its been pouring with rain and is still dull and overcast, I can see from my window some blossom that always gives me a great feeling of joy, together with awe and wonder that these trees can posibly be in blossom so early in the year... its only early February after all :

hazel catkins & almond blossom at the bottom of the garden... amazing how these small signs of Spring give joy and hope, even amidst the tangle of bare winter branches, and on such an overcast day with dark clouds brooding above the heavy roof of the large house beyond the hedge... for I know that when the clouds part and blue skies appear once more, these white blossoms will shine against the sky whilst the bees buzz around them and there may even be nuts later in the year

A few years ago John and I took the train to Norwich for a day out... we walked along by the river and eventually found the Cathedral... do look on the website of Norwich Cathedral to discover what a beautiful place it is... its also a very holy space... very silent... and we soon discovered that they had times of the day when the Cathedral was kept open for silent prayer... one could certainly sense the presence of people praying within that place with its depth of silence... and then as we later walked into a side chapel we saw this painting... and stood looking at it, wondering who the elderly man was... we guessed the artist was portraying him as holding the Christ Child, from the sense of awe and wonder in his face and the light which seemed to be shining from the baby... At first I thought it must have been representing Joseph holding the baby... but I think it is actually meant to be Simeon, the elderly priest in the Temple when Mary and Joseph went to present the child and give thanks for his birth [ St Luke ch 2 v 25 - 35 ... ] I'm so glad I found the photo I took of this painting, so that I could share it with you today: for today, 2nd February, is when we celebrate and remember this event... and remember the awe of Simeon as he realised how special this baby is, and forsaw how he would be a light to enlighten all people... I found this painting communicated that sense of wonder to me, and I hope it renews a sense of awe and wonder for you as well...

Its a long long time now since the Covid Lockdowns prompted me to begin this daily picture on my blog... but I remember feeling very helpless when the lockdown began... asking myself "what on earth can I do now ? " We were in the middle of a series with 2 groups each week coming to do an overview of the Bible... and we were just about to begin studying the New Testament when we had to stop abruptly because of the Covid Pandemic... Then my question "whatever can I do now ? " was quickly answered by my thinking " well, I have several paintings and photos, perhaps I could just do a daily blog... and I soon discovered through emails from people following this blog, that a picture each day was helpful during that difficult time. So, what next ?? Well, sadly, we are still living in difficult times... I don't need to enumerate... you know for yourself what comes to mind... but we can still find hope... I have come across so many things recently that are examples of people finding hope even when they had almost given up... and perhaps you would like to read about these people as well ? I do not expect to be able, this time, to give a daily picture... but... well, I will try and share some signs of hope now and then... Lets begin with a book I found soon after my husband died last May : it contains 40 reflections in paintings and words on "A Landscape of Grief" by Jenny Hawke... you can find it on the Leprosy Mission site / I bought it from their shop. [ apologies : I have just taken a photo of the front cover so you would be able to find it more easily... but all I seem to be able to access from my album of recent photos are a series of photos entitled "memories" and I cannot find the photo I have just taked anywhere :( Clearly I need to learn more about digital things...] On the off-chance that you might like to see a photo or two from this section I could find... I will upload what I can... here goes...

Well... thats a surprise... this is the photo of the book I was looking for before, and this time it was the only photo I could find ! Perhaps next time I will be able to access photos more accurately... lets hope so