Unexpected Connections

The end of the year is upon us and social media is in full swing. Memories posted, good wishes for the ‘New Year’ an outpouring of kindness which to me seems to have been missing in our world.

The month of December has seen a general election in our privileged (we have choice) democratic society. Slander was thrown in all directions from every side and the word ‘Brexit’ used as a pawn in a never ending game of cat and mouse.

Every now and then I lose faith, not in God (although we do fall out now and then) but in humanity.
Somehow though just when my heart feels heavy, I find it.
Sometimes it’s nature that nudges and reminds me the world is still beautiful.

I listened to radio reports as I was driving home of anti-semitism, first in New York and then in London on the same day it seemed. Man’s inhumanity first made me angry and then incredibly sad.
As I drove along the country lanes, the sky turned orange and despite the ugliness, it’s beauty filled me with hope, so much, that I pulled over to capture its essence.

A very special lady once told me that there are no such things as coincidences just ‘Godincidences’ something I choose to believe. Others may believe it as fate or serendipity but whatever it is, whatever you choose to believe in or call it, one thing is true, it is indeed wonderful when it happens.

Today was such a day…

As I was driving to Eltham to see my grandchildren on a misty, damp, cold ‘New Years Eve’ and I was reminded of Frost’s poem ‘The Darkling Thrush’ the poem I always think of at this time of year.
The day really was as Hardy described ‘spectre grey.’

After a few hours, my grandchildren decided they wanted to go to the park. If I’m honest I didn’t relish the thought, as it was so miserable and I was a little reluctant when asked if I would go but, as always their cuteness won.
So, wrapped up warmly, myself and my son-in-law and two excited children, headed towards an empty playground.

On route a little boy carrying a lightsaber stopped to talk to my grandson Oliver, who is five and he too carried his own lightsaber in the form of a packet of of Top Trumps (the dinosaur variety).
Oliver had insisted he took them despite his father and I being sure he wouldn’t need them.

The little boy asked if he was going to the park and instantly they were friends, it seemed we were clearly wrong about the Top Trumps.

The little boy’s name was Uri, he was four and very sweet.

We arrived at a deserted, chilly, damp, park. My granddaughter Elizabeth ran off to the swings with her daddy and I stayed with Olivier and Uri and the two Grandmothers who had accompanied him.

So began a conversation between us, three Grandmothers albeit from different countries; Ukraine, Slovakia and England.

It was an encounter unlike any other and a meeting I think that will stay with me for a very long time.

We talked about so many different things; Christmas traditions, life, war, and hope. I did not ask their names and they did not ask mine. It was not important yet we all shared a little something of ourselves.

The Grandmother who was visiting from Ukraine was a retired university lecturer of psychology. I asked about her home and saw magic dance in her eyes, as she described her childhood at Christmas. A Christmas of sleigh rides and snow and bells, memories of a country she loves. Where she now lives she explained, is a place of peace but it’s borders harbour unrest and sadness.

The other Grandmother from Slovakia also talked of unrest. I asked about her life and she told me she lives here with her family and explained how different her life is now and I understood without words that ‘different’ had a deeper meaning. She told me how kind people are in England, something which surprised me, something I haven’t witnessed particularly in the media during these past few months towards fellow human beings from other parts of ‘our’ world.

We spoke about how the world is changing and together we exchanged a united thought, how we failed to understand why people can be unkind and cruel to each other.

I am so glad I was dragged to the park, I wouldn’t have met these two women who I feel were more extraordinary than I will ever know.

We parted wishing each other a ‘Happy New Year.’ I left feeling richer, sharing something special, a renewed faith in humanity.

Countries and experiences apart, we are the same.

Oliver waved goodbye to Uri. Two little boys had shared a game of Top Trumps and perhaps that will be all they ever share. I however, feel I have shared so much more.

So like that little thrush in the poem, I too left with a little hope for a new year and a better world.
I will try to remember when hope wanes (which I know it will) of this unique encounter.

I wish you all a ‘Godincidence’ (or whatever it is you believe in) of your own for 2020 as they really are quite wonderful.

Peace, Love, and Happiness to you all,

Joy xxx