This eve, I've been asked to lead an Ebba's compline as the culmination to an alternative worship session in a celtic style. It's great to lead something written by a woman so long ago, and I'm looking forward to it, tho I also feel a little apprehensive as the worship is billed as "quiet and reflective" which are not words I'd usually ascribe to my son. However, I will keep an open mind - when I said we needed to go, I was impressed that the kids then told me that the Celts worshipped several gods. It's only an hour, hopefully we can all get something out of it.
It's also got me thinking about the presence of children - I've been invited to a couple of weddings this year and the children have not. The first specifically requests that the attire is stylish and debonaire, and I can see how the presence of children might impact on creating that kind of atmosphere. It's not my usual environment so I will be out of my comfort zone (tho I will not wear heels, I refuse to be that much out of my comfort zone) and will miss the things that children bring to a celebration - some of my favourite moments at weddings over the years has been watching mine and others interact - play with balloons, blow bubbles, or slide on their knees across the dance floor :D But I appreciate celebrations can be massively expensive, and for everyone to bring their kids is prohibitive. I actually found an upside to no longer being with my husband, as it means he can have them and I can still attend - if we were still together I'm not sure it would have been possible to go at all.
So, swings and roundabout again. And an advantage of worshipping this eve (and the kids were clear they didn't want to go to church twice today) is that there was no urgency to get up this morning. That's two mornings in a row we haven't set the alarm!
I'm also a little anxious about losing my internet, TV and phone at midnight. I'm sure all will go smoothly and I will be re-connected at some point tomorrow. Hopefully without too big a gap from the children going (poor timing).
All shall be well.
There may have been a burp just after the minister introduced the service by asking for a few minutes silence.
ReplyDeleteLandline disconnected early. I can feel the panic at not being connected to people already. But even if it all goes wrong I have my data usage, so can check my email and fb on my phone.
Did I mention before I hate it when the kids go away?
I will just have to go and see people for real instead of rely on my virtual community. (long way to Istanbul tho!)