FRIDAY

Take note of Assistant Curate’s comments about the need to move on from attractive babies in stables. Take down Christmas decorations in an attempt to persuade myself that I am ready to move on to grappling with the uncomfortable reality of growing up and dealing with difficult adults instead.

SATURDAY

As there are an unusual surfeit of volunteers to take the 11 0 ’clock Epiphany service at Widecombe, which coincides with birthday, I’ve been relieved of duty. No last minute worship preparations, weather not good enough to garden, so husband takes me shopping instead. Come back with red primrose, small packet of expensive Peruvian chocolate, and computer game. Not entirely sure that I’ve got to grips with this growing up bit yet.

SUNDAY

Another year older . . . amongst presents is a little bear called Buttercup, with a red primrose in his hand, from number one son. He’s got a kind of confused and appealing expression which says, “I hope you’re going to like me, even if I have got rather large feet and probably fall in puddles quite a lot”. Interesting choice. Husband is very good and takes me to mass at the Abbey - obviously thinks I need a bit of encouragement at staying on the straight and narrow. Sermon is replaced by Bishop Christopher’s New Year letter, which talks about being grown up about our faith, and learning more about who we are, and what we believe, so that we can enter into adult conversation with those who have different experiences and beliefs instead of standing on different sides of the divide and childishly shouting “I’m the king of the castle . . .” at each other, or worse.

MONDAY

Put off learning about belief and succumb to the temptations of chocolate, adventure games, Terry Pratchett, and Phil Rickman (more presents).

TUESDAY

Realise that I’ve still got a lot of work to do when it comes to growing up, be it in faith and understanding or just generally. Occurs to me that the most difficult adult is probably me! Know that the only way through it is to re-engage with the story of the God-child that became the sort of adult who wasn’t afraid to welcome children who fall in puddles, or give his life for difficult adults who often failed to understand him. I have a feeling that Ash Wednesday and Lent cannot come too soon this year!

Copyright © 2007 Corynne Cooper.

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