I'm glad I called in. The friary is relatively small: just six brothers living in a repurposed country house in the village. I was met at the door by the soft-spoken and warmly hospitable Brother Benedict who ushered me in, made a hot cuppa, and have me a guided tour of the whole house. Midday Prayer in the Chapel was followed immediately by a eucharist (with incense! π) and then I was asked to stay for lunch. It was kindness beyond my expectations.
Perhaps the loveliest part of the visit, though, came unexpectedly in the sitting room. Benedict and I were joined by a friend local retired lady. When she walked in I immediately thought: "Gosh, she looks just like Sue." Sue has been our next door neighbour and a lovely friend for the last decade. A few weeks ago she fell ill and was diagnosed with an incurable illness. The day I left on this pilgrimage I heard she'd died. I hadn't had a chance to say goodbye.
The lady sat down next to me and I introduced myself. "Lovely to meet you, Chris," she said. "I'm Sue."
We chatted before the service and sat together chatting over lunch, just ordinary nattering about her church choir, places we'd visited, my bike and her new car. Nothing much, really, just passing the time of day, the way you might with your neighbour.
I don't think she could have possibly known what a strangely moving gift that was for me.
You must be about an hour from leaving England π if you an find a way to visit Inchcolm island in the Forth I think you'd enjoy that, then copious other sites as you journey over the original Forth road bridge past the original capital of Scotland and across fife...
ReplyDeleteRecognise that front door, after meeting my Mum there in October 2022 and stopping a few nights to mark the 25th Anniversary of my Dad's death. You've reminded me of my dear friend Brother Philip Bartholomew who resides there. And I love your tale of Sue-Sue! πΌπ»
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