The first time I went into the city alone after my discharge from hospital wasn’t an easy day but I had made a start at regaining my independence. I had worried about the ‘what ifs’ for nothing. To my surprise it turned out to be a happy experience. Not only had my friend met me as promised I had a very caring taxi driver on the way home. So my worry about being out alone was for nothing. I often felt as though I had reverted back to childhood by such experiences. As I look back on this day, it like many others in my life, had an element of stress. There will be days ahead which will also have elements of stress. Hopefully I have learned how to manage the stress as I have grown older. I have a mantra which I like to remind myself of on a daily basis – ‘Let go and let God’. But it is more than reminding myself. It is a matter of actually doing it.

Cherries

Engine noise,
City traffic,
Red lights,
Pedestrians,
A driver with a bag of cherries,
Nonchalantly,

spitting stones

through an open window.

“Have some,

got them from the market.’
Good of him to offer, but unwashed?
I couldn’t, sprays … toxic insecticides … .

‘Go on,

they’re really very good.’

How can I say no?

Large and dark,
Mouth watering,
Beautifully delicious,
Stones,
to spit out.

Will I?
Through my open window.
No
It wouldn’t be right.

But how many cherry stones
can I keep in my mouth?

Out on my own
in a taxi,
Sharing Cherries.

© Helen McIntosh

I often fear the worst but rarely does it happen. On this day the worry and fear  were  all for nothing. Although an exhausting day it is one that I will always remember. God promises that He will always be with us and never leave us. What a wonderful thing to know that the God of all creation loves us so much He is with us 24/7. Can we say we are there for our friends and family in the same caring way?

 

‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)