Giving Thanks
January 9, 2012 at 9:11 pm 10 comments
I am not a religious person. It’s not a political decision – it’s just that it doesn’t make any sense to me and the alternative scientific explanation does. I once read that there was a genetic propensity for faith, so maybe it’s a gene I lack. But I can’t say my life lacks anything else as a result. There are times when I think it must be nice to arrive in a new town and know that the local church will welcome you into an instant community of like-minded people but, apart from that, I’ve never envied people of faith and have been happy in my atheism.
However, there are times when I would like to believe that someone created what is around me and chose to place me in it just because it would be nice to have someone to thank.
I was driving back from West Quantoxhead today, having spent an hour or so planning a wedding at St Audries church and the beautiful St Audries Park with its lovely oh-my-god-I-must-have-one orangery. The road home nestles between the gently undulating Quantocks and the Brendons. The North Somerset Steam Railway meanders alongside, running up to the road for a bit then disappearing, to reappear, often with a friendly poo-woo, when you expect it least. Today the sky glowered with dark grey clouds and threatened rain, but the sun suddenly blasted through and lit up the hills and fields in such astonishingly bright colours that I very nearly ran into the hedge, so distracted was I by the incredible, even for round here, beauty.
Generally I’ve been very fortunate in life – I’ve never had to walk miles for water, scrabble round a rubbish dump for food or even worry much about paying the bills (although, I have lived in Hackney so like to think I am not completely unaware of the uglier side of life)* – but I swear to God (or not) that I will never, ever, become blasé about how lucky I am to live where I do and to grow flowers for a living.
Some would say I was blessed. I prefer “jammy as hell”.
* Yes, I know it’s all been regenerated and bits of it have always been lovely, but still…
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: Blessings, British cut flowers, English cut flowers, flowers, St Audries, weddings.
1.
sandra | January 9, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Yes, we’re lucky to live here, and lucky to be who we are, with all that we’ve got. Like Annie says, ‘I got the sun in the mornin and the moon at night’, and that’s all you need. Except, of course, food, and water, and education, and shelter. Hark at me gone all spiritual.
2.
jwblooms | January 10, 2012 at 10:15 am
Hi, Sandra. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your own problems but I still find myself amazed that I get to live here – there’s a layby on the hill down into Milverton where I often pull over and make myself just look at the view. If nothing else, the years of standing at that ugly bus stop on Well Street with wet litter blowing round my ankles and the local alcoholic screaming abuse down the street was worth it just to be able to compare and contrast! Jx
3.
Katherine @ Florist in the Forest | January 10, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I like the “jammy as hell”! I’m writing this whilst listening to birds tweeting, can’t be bad x
4.
jwblooms | January 10, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Indeed! Hope you are enjoying the anticipation of the season to come! Jan
5.
Katherine @ Florist in the Forest | January 10, 2012 at 3:22 pm
I’m really excited about this year as I’m now fully self employed so all change! Hope you are looking busy for 2012 x
6.
Belinda Norrington | February 2, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Gratitude is a spiritual thing in its own way, regardless of what you actually believe. I think happiness starts there.
Blinking freezing here at the mo, hope your seedlings are managing.
Last Borgan at the weekend, but I hear Killing 3 in the offing.
That is everything covered, I think! x
7.
jwblooms | February 3, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Hi, Belinda. First really cold night last night – haven’t dared go to the field today to check what’s left…! Am really enjoying Borgen and can’t believe it’s gone so quickly. I think it’s a Swedish/Danish joint production next – The Bridge. They are getting through them all! Hope you and yours are well. J x
8.
Martine | February 4, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Hi Jan. I find that thankful feeling is very uplifting – no matter who or what is responsible for the beauty around us.
I can’t believe how cold it has been and I confess that I also daren’t look at the damage. I was feeling pretty confident too about the amount of things that had made it through the winter!
Fellow Borgen (and all things sub-titled and Danish) fan here too, so it will be a cosy fireside watch for the last episodes tonight for me. M x
9.
jwblooms | February 6, 2012 at 10:54 am
What did you think of the ending of Borgen? I loved it – roll on next year! Hope your seedlings are hanging in there… J x
10.
Martine | February 10, 2012 at 3:50 pm
It was great for continuing the story in another series and I was riveted as usual but I confess to being a bit disappointed in Philip – first year as PM she does a great job but gets in a pickle with home/work balance. I think she could be forgiven for that, even though I admit she had got rather high-handed in her communication style. Maybe I am too biased having been at stay-at-home mum for rather more years than Philip gave things! Roll on the next series! Seedlings? What seedlings? Thankfully I am too behind to have many to worry about. My main concern are the “growing on” perennials that have lurked in pots since the autumn.