Hello there! How are you? Well, I hope! It's rather chilly over here in the South East! Have you had any of the white stuff yet? I was at CBC's yesterday morning and when I looked out the window massive snowflakes were coming down onto an already thick carpet of snow. I looked with instant dismay at my blue desert boots (the ones worn with the tartan dress) as they have zero grip (literally smooth as an ice-rink!) and the polka dot mini-dress, red knee-length socks and black leggings I had brought to wear (although along with parka-coat, velvet hat and thin scarf) .
CBC and I set off at 7.15 in his car for him to drop me at the station. We had a horrid near-miss when his brakes failed to stop him and we carried on skidding and just missed the BMW in front of us by scraping the lamp-post. The traffic was at total grid-lock and as we nervously advanced, the car seemed autonomous to the steering wheel. After a huge yellow double decker bus skidded by us rather like Nemo being passed by a Tanker, we decided to park up and walked the rest of the way, very gingerly. I persuaded CBC to put on his very unflattering wellies from the bootand I held his brown shoes in my hand whilst he took my trolley-bag. As we climbed the hill to the station, a car stalled on the hill and as it miraculously, though laboriously made its way up the hill (CBC took a photo of the pathof its tires which looked as meandering as the River Thames on aerial maps). Luckily, there were only minor delays on the train but by that time, both CBC and I were late for school. However, when I reached school, there was NOT a drop of snow to be seen!!!! I felt like a complete fraud! How could it be so thick further out in Essex and yet none where school is?!
The outfit in the above photos features a few favourite items- I adore this Art-deco looking dress (from Miss Selfridge an age ago) and thought to team it with my lovely cape that CBC bought me from Spitalfields last birthday. Silver-sequinned ballet pumps and a pearl-studded beret (H&M). The pearl collar necklace was a vintage find in a St Frances Hospice charity shop! (Black turtle neck and cardie for warmth added! School sale and Tescos respectively)
This afternoon the choir and I made our way to a residential care home for elderly (and some younger citizens) with severe care needs at the local hospital. This is something that was begun before I went to the school. Every year, I never fail to be humbled by the reaction that a group of beautiful children's voices singing Christmas carols, can produce in these worthy, humble people. And the children too. They never fail to be affected by their experience. I watched one girl (she's sweet but she's a bit lairy) watching delightedly as she saw any reaction whatsoever from the residents. As we proceeded from one communal bay to another, she told me, "That man named Ron, he was singing along with
The First Nowell and then he laughed and clapped and waved to us,". Her eyes were sparkling and I could sense the compassion and affection for these people she had just met. We have one lovely little Polish girl who had a chat to a Polish old man. He was so delighted. As she left, she had tears in her eyes, since talking to him, she told me, reminded me of her Grandma back in Poland who was also in a residential home. All of them buzzed with tales, excitement and appreciation of the experience as we returned. Not a moan in sight as we marched the mile and 3/4 back in the bitter cold back to school but excited chatter! I am so thankful for the legacy of my predecessors, that I get to experience this joy and sense of humility as we share the gift of singing.
Next Thursday, I am taking my little singing army of 30 children back to another Senior citizens care home and I look forward to it with a lightness of heart. I feel the heart of Christmas in these places- sharing, giving love and giving what gift we can. It's not about a big flamboyant gesture, but about caring and giving of our hearts.
