Dear Friends

‘There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.’ Hamlet, Act 4 Scene 5.

I like to have a rosemary bush in my garden. I cut it during the year and give pieces to friends when they are remembering something special and I cut a piece and bring it into the house in November, a special time for remembering.

We remember the saints known in history and those souls who would go unremembered except for the special place they have in our lives. On Remembrance Sunday we come together to remember those who have given their lives for their country and for us, so that we might live in peace. In the light of recent atrocities this continues to remain so important.

As a teenager I began writing down what happened in a 5-year diary. It was quite basic, but even comparing what the weather was like on a particular day across 5 years could be surprising! Gradually over the years it has become more of a journal, which I’m not rigorous about. It’s interesting at the time, what you want to read about, but the re-reading of journal entries after time has elapsed can be very special. I am often surprised by the difference between my memory and my journal record, say, of a particular event.

Memory is crucial for life. Without it we loose our connectedness to one another and to the earth. Memory roots us in a past and hopefully gives present security and somewhere to belong, or at least the hope of it. When memories are difficult or when our memory doesn’t work in the way that we need, then it is important to remember with others to bring life to the present and give hope for the future.

Yours in Christ,

Ruth