Gila at Arundel hotel

Gila at Arundel hotel
Visit with Mercedes

Monday, 14 April 2008

Spring in England

My dear Friends
I am slowly readjusting to the weather, and finally admitting that it is Spring in Cambridge. From the tearoom window of the university Library, you can just about see a row of beautiful cherry trees; I remember one year, as I was passing them outside, a Japanese lady gazing at them told me that it reminded her very much of Japan, where they grow in abundance. You can always find connections in life!
Despite my yearning for Canada, it has been a time of reunions and people seem pleased to see me. Today I had lunch with a gentleman who had been married to someone I knew who was a distinguished Hebrew teacher for many years, and who died after a life of much suffering and much bravery. Carol was a Catholic, but like so many people had a 'Jewish soul', expressed in her teaching of Hebrew and in many other ways. I can remember clearly that David, her husband, brought her over to Benigna's house long ago, and that we all had lunch together.

I am nonetheless finally, in my middle years, acquiring a sense of detachment about places, which I feel will help me to make the last push 'over the pond'. I think I started aquiring a new sense of confidence at the beginning of this year, almost imperceptibly, and the Concert helped.

I am really looking forward to seeing Alexia again, and other members of my 'family' in Paris, when I take the Eurostar for the 3rd time in 6 months on April 30th. In a funny kind of way, I feel it is a present from God for all the hard work in Toronto. I can't remember if I have ever been to Paris in the Springtime, of course it will be beautiful and enhanced by going to people I love.

And it will be one of my favourite religious Feasts-the Feast of the Ascension, really the final part of the story which begins with the Annunciation and Birth of Christ. But the story never ends; just repeats itself in an endless cycle of Birth, Death and Resurrection. It is the time of the lambing in the North of Scotland and I have many happy memories there.

The Lark ascending.. this is a beautiful of English music, and quite an apt metaphor when we think of Christ ascending to the Father.

I hope your Ascension day is full of joy and transcendence.

Shalom from
Sister Gila

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your metaphors. God has given us so much, if we can see it. It is all out there, we must go to it, it will not come to us.

Anonymous said...

Love your metaphors. God has given us so much, if we can only just see it. It is all out there, we must go to it, it will not come to us unless we look. God bless Barbara

Gila said...

Dear Barbara
Lovely to hear you. I have no computer at home, so it takes me a little while to pick up comments. I really think you can prove the existence of the divine just by looking at the Creation.
So I completely agree! Keep writing
Love Gila xxx

Anonymous said...

I often think about you,you make me see things with a more vivid meaning. Been to some very interesting sevices. Love Barbara

Gila said...

Dear Barbara
Everything can be charged with meaning if we only have eyes to see it.My late mother (died 2 years ago at 97) taught me that in every simple and positive encounter there is a great richness.
Love Gila