Making the best of it

Grey and overcast

Cold rain sheets down

But, making the best of it

We five don our waterproofs

Clasp them at the neck

So the hoods don't get whipped off

Our feet slip and squelch in wet flip flops

Leaning into the wind

Shrieking, running with both horror and delight

We hit the beach.

It's empty.

From behind, you wrap your arms around me

And we huddle for warmth and watch the kids

Happily drawing in wet sand

Finding treasures of shells and shiny stones

Undeterred by the rain.

Until we cave of course, and head for shelter

Enticing them with hot chocolates

Wide eyed at cream and marshmallows piled high

Cold hands warming, clutching mugs

And wet through, sat there looking at all of you

Lead to pray, suddenly overwhelmed

I pray that we keep on making the best of bad weather

Despite cold wet days, I pray for games and laughter

For whole-hearted living

Happy memory making.

Not blissful ignorance or denial

But for the purest of joy in spite of everything

For being in it together

For strengthening of bonds

For resilience

For stare the storm down bravery, whether aged 3 or whether you're 40

That we would know when to take refuge

But also how to stand firmly

                           hope firmly

                     and love firmly

I pray that we five carry on making the best of bad weather.