Notebook
You may well consider this an example of too much information but when visitors to my home use the guest bathroom they rarely ever comment on the very high quality hand soap on offer or even the interesting selection of reading material strategically placed for those whose stay may be a little longer.
However, many visitors do comment on a little wall plaque with a quotation from Thomas S. Monson which says: “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
I have been thinking a lot about that quote recently particularly as we all try to cope with the very strong storm-like wind caused by Covid-19. We are all trying to adjust the sails so that we can navigate our way through this time.
Reflection
Returning to a thought from last month’s reflection, I’m conscious that while we are all facing the same wind we are not all in the same boat. To continue that idea, neither do we all have the same skill when it comes to adjusting the sails.
Like the migrant workers in our meat factories, those seeking asylum in our country are particularly vulnerable during this pandemic.
One of the things that all asylum seekers have in common is that they have been forced to leave their own countries because of some kind of injustice or oppression. Many of them have left spouses, partners, children and families not knowing when or if they will ever see them again.
In the small town where I live we have a direct provision centre and a meat factory with a high proportion of migrant workers. In the last year I have gained a little insight into the lives of some of those in the direct provision centre, the winds they face, and how they are adjusting their sails far from their homelands.
Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new centre of gravity”
I’m very happy that our local community has reached out to welcome those who have come to live among us.
Two weeks ago I was blown away by an extraordinary gesture of gratitude for the welcome received. Abbi is a young Nigerian woman, who has been a resident in our direct provision centre for the last year. She is a computer science graduate with a particular gift for fashion design.
I asked her to tell something of her story which I could share. She wrote: “Fashion is about uniqueness which I’m fond of since I was a girl. Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new centre of gravity…I was bullied in my previous job but fashion is the reason I stand tall because I enjoyed doing it every day…helping people makes me feel good and very happy.”
Abbi, with the help of her friend Olga, spent the last few months using her skill to make face masks. With the help of some friends in the community, Abbi sold those masks to raise funds for our parish St Vincent De Paul group.
Last weekend, before leaving the town to seek new job opportunities in Dublin, Abbi presented us with a cheque for €1,000.
We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails…and when we help each other to adjust those sails we have a much better chance of reaching the shore safely.
Value for Money
A man died and his wife phoned the newspaper to place a death notice. She said: “This is what I want printed in the paper – ‘Bernie is dead’.” The man at the newspaper said: “But for €50 you are allowed to print six words.”
The woman said: “Okay, then print: ‘Bernie is dead. Toyota for sale.’”
Be honest
Last Sunday’s Gospel advice about fraternal correction brought to mind this poem by William Blake, A Poison Tree.
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I waterd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.