4th February 2007
Once a month I have a Ramsey Day, named after the Archbishop, Michael Ramsey. Today was it. I have read a great deal of the Archbishop's spiritual writings, dipped into biographical material and heard the most wonderful stories recalled, and some, I am sure apocryphal, about the man, told by those who sat at his feet during his lifetime. He sounded rounded, balanced, shy, wickedly ascerbic and as though he never took himself terribly seriously - although he executed his role as a priest and teacher with considerable pastoral awareness and theological sophistication.
Ramsey was in the habit of setting aside time on a regular basis to catch up with himself and in-fill. I have named my day to do much the same after him.
So today I have been in the garden tidying and enjoying the very real signs that Spring is in the air. Ben Wyvis, our nearest - and usually snow-capped - peak is almost snow free - a rare occurrence this early in the year. I have delighted in the snowdrops defiantly bobbing in a gentle breeze. I was surprised to see daffodils well on the way to full growth and some showing bud. There was I thinking my garden tidy was getting ahead for once; it is already catch up time!
The weather over the weekend has been amazing and it has been incredible to be working outside in a t-shirt and fleece - not even wellies! I have enjoyed changing gear today mentally, physically and emotionally. It has been a day the Benedictines would be proud of - a prayerfully workly day.
It has helped me focus in on the task I want to complete between now and Holy Week which is a set of Stations of the Cross based on disability for the chapel here, where I live. I don't know if I can get them all done in time without forcing the creative process, but over the weekend I have managed to have a go at the first three; 'Jesus is condemned to death'; 'Jesus takes up his cross'; 'Jesus falls the first time'.
They have been very emotionally challenging to do, but on each occasion, an image of what I wanted to create on paper has come very powerfully to me and it hasn't felt as though I have had much to do with what has ultimately appeared on the pad. I have felt drained by the anticipation rather than the actual putting pastel to paper. I have felt compelled to produce the composition. It's an odd sensation, I sometimes feel much the same when I am writing a prayer or a poem. Maybe it's my subconscious. Maybe it's the Holy Spirit. Maybe this weekend I was relaxed enough for the creative juices simply to flow! Jubilate Deo!
As I was working outside this afternoon I felt overwelmed by the awesome privilege of simply being; being in the moment; alive; well and able to enjoy - for now. Julian of Norwich was right - all manner of things shall be well.
Inevitably my sense of consolation didn't last too long, other things kicked in - but it was magical. I am thankful for today.
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