I sit here, wondering what to say about our lives this year, and realise, in this season of Wonder, that the year has indeed been filled with wondrous happenings.
Wonder #1: Guernsey experienced snow. School was shut, so we made a large snowman in the garden and revelled in snowy icy walks. It is such a rarity for us that we were, quite simply, enthralled.
Wonder#2: news of our status as grandparents-to-be arrived in March...see Wonder#10. #butdon’tcallmeGrandma
Wonder #3: Living where we do, a stone’s throw from the sea, we find ourselves frequently in thrall to stunning sunrises and spectacular sunsets, our garden adding its colour to our lives through the seasons. A constant invitation to stop and stare...
Wonder #4: Frequent forays into France. February; April; July and August...so much to discover. We have become obsessed with discovering yet another beau village or petit cite de character, one medieval church or castle after another, yet more snippets of history. The motorhome – though sometimes acting as a man-cave – has indeed been a great blessing.
Wonder #5: Angie still loves teaching. No week is complete without a funny or inspirational story involving children... Richard loves being at home. On his own. All day. He divides his time between dog-walking/lookingafterthehouse/ tinkering/repairing/researchingontheinternet/fixingthingsup. #usefulbloketohavearound #worksforfree
Wonder#6: history. Living on Guernsey sometimes feels as if we are living in an open-air museum dedicated to World War 2, specifically the five years of Guernsey’s occupation by the Germans. Our coast is still ‘littered’ with fortifications and there is always something new to discover. The past is fascinating...and, of course, this year saw the release of the film The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, based on a novel set here just after the war. A lovely story, if you haven’t seen it. Also recommend the book ‘Hitler’s British Isles’ by Duncan Barrett.
Wonder#7: true friendship lasts beyond years, beyond life. Friends are a tremendous gift, who we give thanks for whenever we think of them. Not to be taken lightly or for granted. We have had great joy in reconnecting with old friends, whether the gap had been a few months (2 months away on our own in France seemed like a long time) or several decades (Angie met up with her college friend Sue... 30 years: neither had, apparently, changed at all...?!) Yet...great sadness in April, when Angie’s dear friend Ann lost her long battle with cancer, gaining heavenly glory.
Wonder#8: wonderful times with Jonny and Adele (on holiday from Tanzania where they are both teaching) in the motorhome in France: hiking in the Pyrenees; exploring pretty villages; hanging out together... and then, surprising us in France on their way to New Zealand from Iraq, Cat and Andy joined us .... special, special times.
Wonder#9: Angie was invited to Buckingham Palace...no, not to see the Queen but, as a teacher, to take part in a celebration of children’s work regarding the centenary of the World War I. It was a tremendous honour, one she had never even dreamed of...and very conscious that all are invited to accept the Greatest Gift of all, offered without expectation of worth, freely to us all...Jesus.
Wonder#10: Cara Grace Dow arrived safely, in Auckland, to a very happy family. Wonder of wonders, that all is well and she will soon experience her own very first Christmas... #besotted #grandparents #beautifullittlegirl
We wish a wondrous Christmas for all those who touch our lives, with more joy and blessing in the year ahead than they could even imagine.
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