both ends of the spectrum

RAF uniform

the tiny baby smiles

We hadn't seen the old RAF officer in Church for months and we missed him but thought that he was maybe unwell or had perhaps even relocated.  But today he was there, right behind us in the pew where he used to sit with his wife before Alzheimers carried her off.  They were a loving couple, devoted to one another, who came to Church regularly, both beautifully dressed. He with the special smartness that comes from having worn a uniform with pride.  His shoes were always polished and he always wore a tie and smart tweed jacket.  He hadn't been to Church, he said, because he had been a bit down and we felt rather guilty because we hadn't known.   He held tight to our hands when we shook his and I heard him during the communion sing along with the choir the hymn 'oh worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness' and he was somehow lit up by it. I am struck by how we light up with what we associate with, with  a uniform we smarten up, with singing special words or saying kind things to one another, we become special and we become kind.  And oh my goodness I am struck by the way one small baby in a spaceship incubator, just 2lbs something of her has lit up devotion in the new parents and their sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles too.  Even Grandpa who is not at ease with new babies has been lit up by the arrival of this new small relative who smiles!