Hello friends and Happy New Year. I hope that however you’ve been spending these holiday weeks you’ve found some moments of beauty and made some fun memories. Like everyone else, we had a very quiet Christmas, just the six of us, but it was a precious time and what we needed. I feel so grateful, each day, that during this confusing and dark time all our children are under our roof and my parents and siblings don’t live too far away. My heart went out to families not able to be together at Christmas, and for those alone. One wonders where this is leading us to…
We’ve had some frosty weather down here, in this usually warm part of the UK (south west). The girls have enjoyed crunching the ice in puddles and I’ve enjoyed the intricate, delicate patterns on frosty leaves. We all went for a walk on New Year’s Eve, enjoying the fresh air and relishing the feeling of freedom as we rambled.
The boys are both working hard for upcoming exams; Lanky Dude for his engineering degree and Rhythm Dude for his sports Btech. Exams are especially hard for him with his dyslexia, but I’m thankful that much of his qualification will be assessed in other ways.
Before the frost came, we had a multitude of rain, creating puddles and ponds where usually there are fields. Sparkly Eyes has an affinity for mud and water; she also has an intrepid outdoor adventurer for a Brownie leader, and inspired by her was determined to go for a dip in this huge puddle/pond on Dec 27. She fell in and so we classed it as a wild swim!
Since I began writing this we in the UK are now in another national lockdown. My heart aches for our young people, for parents trying to work and homeschool as well as for all the healthcare staff and other key workers. May God have mercy on our nation.
If you’re a mum and find yourself home schooling again, I’ve done some previous posts under “uncertain times” or under the home ed categories which might be helpful. Also check out our podcast for home educating parents; here is an episode to start you off.
I’ll finish with a quote I was reminded of by a friend; it seems especially pertinent at this time
I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown”.
And he replied,
“Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way”.
M L Haskins
Mothering through the seasons 