This is a month of change in my mind for some reason. Maybe it dates back to school years when it was the time I moved up to a new class or had a new teacher or even changed schools. Gosh changing schools was a scary time. It is also the time I think of the seasons changing. Summer is all but over, and Autumn is just waiting in the wings to dash in and take us by surprise. Nature changes about this time of year. The plants begin to die back and put their strength into getting ready for the renewal next spring. This year we have had a general election and so we have a change of government. All change, and who knows, new schools, new seasons, new government, could all bring exciting changes. But even though most of these changes happen every year we still seem to struggle to cope with them. With the thoughts of change I am in the process of reading a book my husband bought me last Christmas. It is called “God is an Octopus” by Ben Goldsmith. It is the story of the worse sort of change anyone can envisage. His 15-year-old daughter died as a result of an accident. The book goes on to describe how he came to deal with his changed life, with the help of nature and the changes that naturally occur in its cycle. It certainly made me think about change differently and hopefully more positively. The book is beautifully written and is nearly poetic. I am not going to recommend a book this month because I have not finished this one but as far as I have read, I think it is well worth a read, particularly if you have an interest in nature. The bible has many references to change which is not surprising as Jesus’ coming into the world caused some tremendous changes and still does. Most of his miracles involved change, water to wine, blind to see, lame to walk, Lazarus restored to life and the greatest of them all Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. Perhaps I will start to welcome September and all changes.

God Bless
Maureen Kendall