Thursday, March 26, 2009

Upon not sleeping - warning this is a rambling post, beware!

Oh, I just have to smile (or cry) at the irony and agony... am I just my own worst enemy, or am I also just an ordinary christian struggling with sin..?

Well, at any rate its still lent, less than one full week till Easter comes in all its glory.  In my "high" anglican years (Read that as "anglo-catholic") if you wish.  I learnt to enjoy all the "religiousness" around the seasons of the Christian Calendar.  My favourite festival easily became Holy Week - which is Palm Sunday through to Easter (Sunday).  At my school we had reminders of Palm Sunday in Chapel on Monday morning, or perhaps even the Friday before... With green palm fronds and appropriate hymns and prayers and reflections.  Then, yes on Monday morning all the ornaments in the Chapel would be covered over with purple cloths and so would begin our week of "special" chapel events.  The Stations of the Cross... and the divine, oh so divine setting of a special easter hymn... who's name escapes me... Help Glenda, do you remember?  Actually, I think it alternated one year would be stations and the next would be the special hymn (special because it was so long, told the whole story of Easter, and was interspersed with string chamber music, organ, soloists and choir and congregational singing... oh it was beautiful and painful... the agony and the ecstasy that is Easter, captured in a beautiful peace of music (as an aside, I also have to mention that the chapel had wonderful acoustics)  The week (at school) would culminate on Thursday (Maundy Thursday in holy week)  With a fairly solemn Eucharist, (well they all were a bit solemn) but this one also beautiful because it was the tradition for the principal to wash the feet of one girl from each year level of the school... prior to communion, or straight afterwards (bummer how that memory fails me... and it was only 11 years ago!!!)

Anyway, I've completely gone off topic for a ramble there... where was I?  Yes, Lent... well when lent began I was thinking about things I could (but didn't) give up as a fast for lent... in my church we are encouraged to fast, or not fast, in whatever way we think appropriate, but mainly to spend more time in reflection and prayer as we progress toward Easter... at any rate.  I just had to moan to God tonight (something I regularly do when I haven't had a good night's sleep) that one thing that briefly crossed my mind (in addition to "the internet" not practical, and "food" also not practical) was sleep... also not practical, as I distinctly remember thinking... but that could well leave me insane or very ill before it gets to Easter... well its 4.35am on the 26th of March... this time next week is Maundy Thursday (a night to remember the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden & his betrayal and arrest)... and I'm well on the way to an "all nighter" just couldn't switch off tonight, eventually gave up, put another reflection in  my journal, turned of the light, began to sing a song (I often attempt to sing myself to sleep) which made me cry... (or was that before the journal.... (long nights, also not ze gut for the forgettory)  Oh anyway, here I am at 4.41 - NOT ASLEEP.  Did I actually promise to give up sleep for lent?? Well no, but I did think about it... and I had also thanked God just prior to Lent that sometimes I don't even have to pray for something "properly" like with Dear God.... amen, but that I could basically "think" about it and God answered my prayer, provided my need... does that also mean that because I thought about it... no, now I'm being silly, and I'm back again to the "my own worst enemy"/just an ordinary christian struggling with sin argument.

Upon not sleeping... how pointless!

Oh, but back to School and holy week... after every Eucharist the girls were "rewarded" for being on their "best behaviour" in chapel by getting a pastry treat... I'm fairly certain it was Hot Cross Buns after Thursday's Eucharist (one day early for the strictly faithful... how many of them are there nowadays??)

Mmm, actually, I loved Holy Week before school too... Maundy Thursday can have a special night time service... what's it called, Dad?  Where a series of readings, quiet hymns/reflections/prayers are divided by the extinguishing of candles... so that by the end of the service the congregation is in complete darkness... One very memorable Maundy Thursday night, I attended the service in a tiny little church that did not have electricity, so that when all the candles were extinguished it really was dark... and my Dad (the minister) and another member of the church had prearranged a special reminder of how shocking, scary and dark that moment of betrayal was... do you want to know how???  

tee hee, hee... stay tuned (for another exciting episode of Joce's rambling ravings!!!)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Belated Blogging




I cannot seem to get my act together lately so am belatedly blogging best birthday wishes to my beautiful little bliss, Glenda, and my bella Aunty Irene (I have another name for her but those who've read Roald Dhal would think it uncomplimentry, so I won't tell you!!!)

It was Glenda's birthday on the 7th... I don't remember her birth as I'm only 21 months older than her, but I do recall that it was a Sunday, that her birthweight was a little higher than mine, and that she's the fair, smiling, benevolent one (compared to me.... hence the name Bliss)

No really, she brings sunshine into the lives of those she knows and loves, and I suspect even into the lives of those she doesn't really know... I have a memory of a Christian folk singer's song about sunshine at the edge of my brain (Help me Mum, what is it?? Evie...)  Glenda used to love that song.

Anyway... over the years we've done the usual sister kind of things, and mostly I look back in fondness.  Recently too, as we caught up over hot drinks post a session at the Rivoli we had to agree that our relationship has gone from a difficult patch to a new strength.  So I just want to Thank God for giving me such a beautiful little sis, and thank my sister for the encouragement and support she's lavished on me over the years.  I really do appreciate it!

Now to Aunty Irene... what can I say?  You're the third of five sisters... born on March 12th, my only Aunty who doesn't have children of her own, and.... I would have to say you're the Aunt who keeps in touch most often and keeps the memory of my special West Australian family close by.  You always have a cuppa and a listening ear ready, you've always demonstrated love, interest, enjoyment in the things I've achieved (or not quite), the times we've spent together, the letters and phone calls we've exchanged, and even the advice that you've dispenced is so treasured and appreciated.  Though we've never lived nearby one another, you've always been close.  So thank you for always making an effort with your distant neices and nephews and I'll continue to look forward the next pot of PoW, or G&T, or new & delicious Indian restaurant... that we can share together!  

Happy Birthday Aunty Irene, sorry I didn't get that birthday card in the post... an extra special letter on the way... but glad that you were spoilt on your special day (and apologies from Tim that he woke you!!) (wink)  here's a pic  of Mum and Irene with Mum's place in Schopfheim in the background (Irene gets to visit her more often than I do)... which one is which?