Dear Friends,
Over the last few weeks both at home and at work, my thinking and doing has been dominated by endings.
The passing of friends and acquaintances. Hubby’s looming redundancy, our youngest flying the nest. It’s been a thought-provoking time on many levels. In a season of Epiphany when we look for revelation, it feels poignant.
At work too, my main focus these past weeks has been on our year 6 REinspired session ‘Death funerals and the Christian response’
Sounds like a grim session, right?
Actually, you might be surprised to hear that this is not the case.
Hard yes, but honest, sometimes raw, but also (because of the volunteers in the team) authentic, cathartic and strangely beautiful.
Our teachers this week commented that it felt reassuring and hope filled. That we created a safe space, saying it was a ‘brilliant session’ ‘the children have and will continue to benefit from the activities and discussions today’
I got distracted but continued to muse for a while on which came first, endings or beginnings.
A picture of a circle came to mind ….and before u ask, no, not the buffering wheel icon from old dial up internet connections (remember them?) more of a circle shape that then folded in the middle and became an infinity loop, like a loose and languid number 8.
So dear reader, this little symbol in my mind’s eye is currently giving me comfort and focus.
That endings are, actually, also beginnings.
For me it points to eternal love and connection. Of life and death, beginning and ending, joy and sorrow all being joined up somehow and held and enveloped by hope, and a love that is ancient, eternal, and devine.
Love
Julia
Julia Jones, Churchwarden