Sparks of Hope

Our local crematorium is based on the edge of the village of Pentre Bychan (Welsh for ‘little village’) and set on the grounds of Pentre Bychan Hall, first built in the 16th century, with the last incarnation demolished in 1963.

The chapel has been built on the hill and nestles between old yew, spruce, sycamore and willow trees. The grounds are beautiful and cover forty acres and on the western side, the greenhouses house all the plants used for the roundabouts, parks, planters and gardens in the Wrexham borough.

Last week the first snowdrops started to appear and are a wonderful sight. It’s too early for Spring, but these lovely plants hold promise for what is to come. A young lad on the team and I stood, silently, drinking it in before a service.

There is much noise out there in the world and I have lost count of the times lately that an article or soundbite has flowed by way as I am online, and I think ‘Nonsense’ and refuse to click on it. Being online is part of my work but I try hard not to get drawn down any rabbit holes. The flip side is the internet enables us to dive into any topic to gather information and research. Mind you, it is becoming harder to sift through the amount of nonsense being spouted.

I have long felt that ideas and moments of inspiration are sparks that flow on universal energy, and if a spark is drawn to us we can choose whether to nurture and give life to it. Sometimes the sparks are yours to keep, so no matter how long it takes, you can act on them when you are ready. At other times, the sparks flow on to find a home elsewhere as their time for life is now. Some sparks can circle back as a reminder and they gift another opportunity. It is a constant flow.

Maybe hope is the same. Hopeful sparks flow and at any moment, we can gather them in and nurture them in our hearts.

More birds are discovering our bird feeders nestled in the front hedge, and the squirrels are becoming tamer.

We have decided on the colours to paint our front room walls, and a new sofa will be delivered in about six weeks, so we are edging closer to having a cosy space to relax and read.

We have spent time with family and friends, catching up on their news, and laughing a lot. Sparking loving memories of our wedding weekend. In some instances, the gatherings were here and the freezer is now full of spare meals because we over-catered. Easy dinners equal comfort when we’re busy working.

A plan for new planting in our raised bed is coming together. Bless the experts online who share their wealth of gardening knowledge.

We have come up with a few new ideas and dreams which may sound outlandish but it’s fun to hold the spark of hope that we could make them real.

I’ll share an excerpt from this week’s Thoughtful Tuesday, ‘We Are All Connected’, for you to listen to if you have the time.

My love to you all, Jane x 🩷