Wednesday 1 April 2020

Stop the World....

...I want to get off.   I can't help feeling a bit like that as at present nothing seems to be happening does it?   Here in The Dales most people seem to have self-isolated apart from those who are keeping us going - delivering newspapers, groceries, milk and the like.   I have not been out since a fortnight last Saturday apart from once or twice round the block with Percy when the weather has been especially pleasant.   Other days I have made do with a bit of gardening.   Today I have planted up three herbaceous geranium plants I sent for and watered them in.    When I think of all the rain we have had over the Winter the ground is especially dry.

Nothing is happening, things (apart from the virus of course) seem to have come to a standstill and one is forced to fall back on one's thoughts.   This happened this morning when reading Matthew Parris in today's Times.   He is my favourite columnist - I very much admire his writing and his subject matter is always food for thought.   Today he writes of his beloved Mother, who died on Monday aged 93 after a long and happy life.   In a moving tribute to her he quotes Thomas Traherne and it is worth thinking about:   'you never enjoy the world aright. til the Sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars:  and perceive yourself  to be the sole heir of the whole world, and more than so, because men are in it who are every one sole heirs as well as you.'

His mother was a great believer in reincarnation  (which he is not and nor am I) and also loved robins dearly.   This morning while speaking to his brother on the telephone he saw a robin regarding him calmly from a bush outside the window.   A sign?   Most likely not - but I know from my own experience the comfort one can get in the early stages of bereavement from small happenings like this.   I still get them occasionally - a glimpse of the farmer out of the corner of my eye  in a familiar place or a familiar pose.   Or something is said that he would have said.   And for a moment it is as though he is saying it.   None of it any kind of proof about life after death - all just happy memories of times ingrained on one's brain.

30 comments:

Regina M. said...

Weaver - I am also not a believer in reincarnation. However, not so sure about other things we don't understand. We had never seen bluebirds near our home since we lived without open fields close by. One of my dearest friends died and I was missing her terribly. As I looked out the kitchen window one day while doing the dishes I could not believe my eyes … there was a beautiful bluebird perched outside the window staring in at me. I just felt it was a sign from her that I should stop mourning. Glad you are dealing with life so well. Nice to be planting geraniums.

Bovey Belle said...

Since my best friend Trish died I have seen white feathers, regularly - in the most unlikely places too. I like to think they are a sign she has somehow sent me. On the day of her funeral, I was back at my middle daughter's flat, and G was asleep. I suddenly heard Trish speak in my ear, with such feeling, "Oh Jennie." Pooh-pooh it all you like, but she spoke to me.

Who can say what happens when our soul quits our body? Until it happens to us, no-one can say with any certainty.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

From what I could see when I went out for some exercise this morning the world has already stopped! Everyone's garden should look superb this summer after all the extra care they'll get. After my father died I took over the care of his garden. On a number of occasions I was standing wondering exactly what needed doing and I was sure I could hear his voice advising me. I'm clear that this was just the work of my imagination but I can easily imagine how others might come to a different conclusion.

Rachel Phillips said...

The weekend my father died my mother told me he was going to die the next day because the spirits had come for him. He had told her this in bed although she was not able to hear them herself. She believed him and said this was normal. He died the next day. She said that he got quite annoyed with her when she said she could not hear them although she did not doubt his word. I have never seen my father again in any signs but I have seen signs that my mother is around.

Rachel Phillips said...

I would add that he was fully compos mentis at the time.

the veg artist said...

If we are lucky enough to be in a situation where nothing is happening at the moment, long may that last for each of us.

JayCee said...

As the veg artist says, we are fortunate if we can continue to enjoy our quiet time without the ugly spectre rearing its head at us.
My mother in law was a believer in reincarnation and always said that after she died she would send us a message from the other side. She died 36 years ago and we are still waiting.

Anonymous said...
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Librarian said...

For the first time this week since the start of the corona crisis, our main news on TV have had other features apart corona. It is still the dominating topic (hardly surprising!), but other topics are resurfacing, and rightly so.
Over here, life is still a bit quieter and slower as before, but with work, the days do not feel that different.

Debbie said...

My Mother died of cancer. A few months later my daughter was going to work but missed her bus. She got into random taxi where the driver, who my daughter had never seen before proceeded to give her a message from my mother. She told her things only my mother could have known.

Gwil said...

Bovey Belle, One day I was preparing to go England to see my mother and was thinking about sister who had died a short time previously and a white feather floated down from a clear blue sky and landed on my breast next to my heart. My sister believed in angels and associated white feathers with their presence.

Heather said...

I don't believe in reincarnation either but my father loved to hear blackbirds singing and my mother loved robins, so when a blackbird was singing it's heart out in the garden or a robin paid us a visit I always felt my parents had popped back to say hello. Foolish perhaps but somehow comforting.
It is also comforting to realise just how many people are self isolating as the traffic becomes less and even fewer people are out and about. Hopefully the advice is being taken seriously and we will all be back to our normal routines fairly soon.

Dawn said...

My thoughts today have been of my best friend who passed away on this day a year ago, I was thinking about what she would have made of all that’s going on in the world, and is she there looking down on it all protecting her sons that she left behind

Alphie Soup said...

We all believe what we want to believe.
Alphie

Alphie Soup said...
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Joanne Noragon said...

It is so nice to have memories and moments of those we loved, and still do.

AK Coldweather said...

Hi Pat,
Here's a nice distraction for you... If the link below doesn't work, do a search on youtube.com for singer Jahmene Douglas auditioning for XFactor singing "At Last". Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

https://youtu.be/V-xndZZjM4A

Enjoy!

Cro Magnon said...

For several years I used to hear my mother calling my name. A strange experience.

Hildred said...

These are truly strange days - I have no strong belief either way, but my heart responds when a lone robin comes to sit close on the fence in the back garden. My daughter also has a strong feeling that it is her father visiting, 0 oh, I wish it was so!

Gail, northern California said...

My late husband visits me regularly in my dreams. I love it. He still comforts me.

Rachel Fox said...

Hi Weaver,
I haven't said hi for a while but thought I would today!
Lots of love to you and yours
Rachel
x

thelma said...

Thoughtful words Pat, and perhaps we need more of them. But of course it is a time of reflection. I loved the catalogue from which you got the plants, what I did not like was the loads of plastic they came in. Though I admit my plants survived the journey and are thriving now.

Rachel said...

Beautiful thoughts!

Tom Stephenson said...

My parents came to visit me at my workshop after dying. I did not talk to them and they just looked at me from the doorway, smiling. They turned around and walked away but I did not try and follow them.

Linda Metcalf said...

I believe GOD gives these little nudges and thoughts and memories to keep us going.

Ellen D. said...

I agree with Veg Artist and JayCee - we are lucky to be stuck at home and safe from the virus. The sun is out today where I am so I will take advantage of that. You and I are being careful and that is helping not only us but all others too. Stay safe, Pat! and thanks so much for blogging!

Sue said...

I find my emotions very close to the surface these days.

I listened to your Prince Charles yesterday, speaking in a calm, reasonable and honest way about the isolating experience of having the virus. One of the things he said was, "this will end." It was quite comforting.

Could we borrow him please in America?

The Weaver of Grass said...

Hello to you Rachel Fox - years since we met. Dominic sends his regards too.
Thanks to you all for your response.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Hi Weaver,
Good luck with the Zooming. Here the weather has been bright and cheerful, at total odds with our current predicament.I have to say the 8pm clapping smacks of virtue signalling, that many clapping voted for the psychopaths who govern your country, that what NHS staff really need are PPE and testing. Hope ypou are well.hope you stay well and keep safe!
Love,
Peadar

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