Cold tea and early mornings
On otherwise invisible moments... and news of a very special writing retreat
It’s been half term here this week and all week, I’ve been waking up early.
Very often, the usual punctuation of the school weeks and daily routine disappear during the holidays and instead the days are open-ended, awaiting their own punctuation marks.
Yet, while the brackets of the school run have not been in place this week, I’ve still found myself awake early.
Under the cover of darkness, I clatter about in the kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, wiping the surfaces and making yet another cup of tea that inevitably goes cold. Annoyed at myself that I cannot settle into these open-ended days, frustrated that the stillness that I crave is cluttered by a ticker-tape whirr of juggling work and trying to make each day of the holidays special for the children.
All the while, I’m acutely aware of the privilege of it all, of the absolute beauty in the banality of it all and of just how precious this life is.
As the light begins to appear, the rest of the house wakes. The children arrive downstairs still wrinkled by the folds of sleep, hair ruffled and eyes half closed. Sleep still lingers like a halo as their small arms find mine and we cuddle for a moment before the day draws them away from me.
An otherwise invisible, quiet moment that softly punctuates the day, so fleeting, so ordinary, so heart-boomingly beautiful.
As I hear the stairs creak and they come and find me, I am full of hope and despair. Raging at the abject and utter cruelty that is happening right now in Palestine and weeping at the private, invisible joys that happen every day and for which I am so incredibly grateful for.
As I embrace my children, my heart and thoughts turn to children throughout the world, in unsafe places.
The load we carry for our children feels heavier than ever before and I worry so much about what this world will look like for them in the future. My hands feel so full right now, but life is not forever, it has to be lived and we have to embrace all parts of it.
In the darkness and despair, there has to be repair. We have to bear and witness all parts of this world, the dark and the light.
I have to remember to keep my self soft and not allow the hardness and fear to paralyze me.
I have to notice the otherwise invisible tenderness that is all around us and share it generously with others.
But most of all, I have to keep carrying the light.
Before I go I will leave you with some words from a while back. And I’m also delighted to share news of a very special writing retreat that I am running with the incredible
this summer…A writing retreat for women with myself and
Friday 16th August to Monday 19th August 2024 | near Newquay, Cornwall
I'm absolutely over the moon to announce a very special writing retreat for women with the incredible Kerri ní Dochartaigh this summer. Join us from 16th - 19th August under the gaze of the August full moon for a residential women’s writing retreat at my home near Newquay, Cornwall.
Four days and three nights accommodation in beautiful surroundings
Peace and quiet to focus on your craft
Inspiring spaces to write (private or shared)
A supportive and nurturing environment
A safe space to share your work (if you want to)
An array of optional activities, workshops and artists dates
Prompts, books and materials to help kindle your imagination
Daily afternoon tea
Evening candle-lit feasts
Delicious food, drink and snacks throughout
What to expect
The space to write, a place to sit and take a moment.
A chance to concentrate on your craft.
Over the course of the four days there will be gentle and encouraging workshops and sessions led by both Kerri and myself, as well as the opportunity to explore the local area, recommendations for artist dates and a supportive and nurturing environment for you to tend to your writing.
We are so looking forward to it and hope you can join us.
How exciting you're both going to be near my neck of the woods! What a delight 😊 ✍️
Lucy this whole post 💔❤️ I am honoured beyond words to be doing this together x