aurora

 

 

i am aurora

the sun god

 

the light pours out from me

scything apart

the dark 

 

i am aurara

the night-swimmer

emerging from the black

 

i am aurara

i am the dawn

and 

i 

have

come

for

you

 

 

 

nina retires

 

 

 

 

 

Nina retired yesterday. She's been a support worker for our son and his friend for fifteen years, part of  a fantastic team that have helped these two men achieve independent living despite their disabilities.

Throughout her time with them she has been an indomitable bundle of energy, always thinking up new ways to enhance their lives. We remember the holidays, the fishing trips, the visits to the health-club, but most of all we remember the love she has shared in abundance.

Happy retirement, Nina - you're a true star!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

you draw me to this place

 

 

 

 

you draw me to this place

in time

i trace my steps

 

along the muddy banks

we walk

side by side

in grace and grime

i pause

you wait

i sigh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

football stands together

 

 

Football stands together. We can scarcely imagine the horrors taking place daily in Ukraine but we can show our support, united in a minutes' applause before the game begins. A special mention for the fans of Southampton, a great club with a talented team and a super manager. They raise their scarves high, a fantastic salute in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

 

Football, true football, has always been about support. I speak to the lovely Irish couple who sit in the row behind. I haven't seen them for two months or more, their seats remaining empty since December. There is a reason.

 

Eyes brimming, they explain their daughter died totally unexpectedly two days after Christmas. She was aged just fifty seven. Today is a brave step for them towards something just a fraction more normal. They repeat their story time and again as fellow fans all around ask after them. Each time there is a touch, a hug. We support them too.

 

After all this it's difficult to say much about the football, other than to note Villa deliver an emphatic victory whilst Southampton have a 'bad day at the office'.

 

 

 

This post is dedicated to the people of Ukraine and in memory of Finola.