Walking to work

                Wednesdays and Fridays I walk to the Parish Office to work.  Although I’m scheduled to be there from 9.00 am to 11.00 am,  I am often there much longer—sometimes till almost 5.00 pm.  But I am thankful that I can serve the parish, the church, in this way. 

          On average, it takes me about 20 minutes to walk to the office.  That’s if I have no interruptions.  Let me tell you about the interruptions that bring a smile to my face.  These are in no particular order.

·         Ms. Sally, the librarian.  When I volunteered at the Tuesday morning coffee shop, which meets in the library, I met Ms. Sally.  Although I haven’t continued to volunteer for the coffee shop, I still like to stop for a wee chat.  We don’t stop for long, usually just “Good Morning—the weather is…”  I also see Ms. Sally on the days I take craft-making items to the library.  I realized that toilet paper/loo rolls, empty yogurt cartons and the occasionally cereal box could be used for children’s projects run by the library.  I asked if they would like us to save these items for them.  And they are glad to have them.  

·         Mrs. Nicola—a young mother.  We met on “The drive”.  I noticed that each day she carried two child-sized scooters on her shoulders.  One day I smiled at her and said, “On the way home from the school run?”  She said yes, and we chatted for a couple of minutes.  Since then we have had many conversations.  We both have “non-British” accents—mine being American and her’s being South African.  She is also a Christian, and likes to sew.  Hopefully we can meet up sometime for a coffee.

·         Mrs. Maureen—whom I met because of her dogs.  Because I’m such a dog lover, I began by asking if I could pet her lovely greyhounds.  Overtime I learned that the dogs were from a greyhound rescue  centre; that the dogs were over 10 years old, the male being older.  Then last autumn she had to have the lovely boy put down.  Mrs Maureen is a widow, and has a daughter.  I enjoy our occasional encounters.

·         Mr. Dave and his “Lovely Girls”  I smile as I write this.  I’ve seen Dave around the parish for a couple of years—always with two white and brown, wire-haired Jack Russell terriers.  One day I asked if I could pet the dogs, and they loved it.  I actually talked to the dogs more than to the man, before I even asked his, I asked the dog’s name.  That’s how I met Cassie.  Suddenly it occurred to me that I should properly introduce myself and ask him his name—which I obviously did.  Then year before last, Dave suddenly had only one dog.  After a few months of only one dog, another dog—a brown puppy—joined them.  I quickly learned she was a Jack Russell terrier and her name is Beau.  These little critters always bring a smile to my face.  I can be half-a-block away when Cassie sees me.  She runs till the lead/leash is fully extended, the begins pulling on the lead/leash to get to me.  She knows she’ll get her head scratched and a good rub.  Then Beau will push in—not wanting to be left out.  And while the dogs get attention, Dave and I chat about the weather, or other local news. 

I’ve met all of these people on Green Drive—which is a misnomer; no one drives on Green Drive.  It is a paved pedestrian and bike path.  But apparently it takes its name from having been a road between a local Lord’s home and Windsor Castle.  That was years before the local area was built up with housing estates, shops and businesses.  Encountering these people, and in some cases their pets, makes the walk to work enjoyable. 

I pray you have a great weekend.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”