Page 27 - News and Views Spring 2023

Quiet Reflection Len Wigg

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When we met on zoom on Tuesday December 20 we began with the poem by the Quaker writer
Ursula Fanthorpe called ‘The Sheepdog’ . She relates the Nativity from the dog’s point of view:
‘After the very bright light….and the sky filled up wi’ wings….’ the shepherds decide to go and so tell
the dog to look after all the sheep. When they came back having given the present of a lamb, the
dog ponders ‘ Pity they didn’t tek me along too. I’m good wi’ sheep And the baby might have liked a
dog After all that myrrh and stuff.’

Then I shared a picture of our rescue puppy with similar herding instincts who sleeps at the bottom
of our stairs keeping watch on our front door and so guarding our ‘flock’. Having prior
responsibilities at the festive season resonated with many, who had careers in caring or the NHS.

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On January 5 we each examined a leaf in some detail to discover what ‘turning over a leaf’ might
teach us, thus avoiding the implications of ‘resolutions’. Currently
we meet on zoom at 2 30 p.m. on the first Thursday and third
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Tuesday of the month for about 45 minutes – March 21 ; April 6
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and 18 ; May 4 and 16 . You are very welcome to join us.

Friends have asked me why we studied a leaf on January 5th. We examined one in great detail,
above and below, its texture and smell. So we turned over a 'knew' leaf with a sense of wonder and
surprise, and no burdens of behaviour change.....

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Answer to Sarah Early’s question (p16) Shall I tell you a secret?

We’re two double basses!

Picture courtesy of Alison Sepping

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