I had to make an early (for me) start today to get to a hospital in Portsmouth. People anxious about me having rather too much iron in my blood; me worrying that I was slowly turning into a giant magnet. Never having been there before I allowed an hour for the trip. Coat on, ready to leave, couldn’t find my car keys.
Searching in all the usual places; how many pockets does a chap need to have? My wife scolding. (“how many times have I shown you where to leave your keys.”) Panic setting in. “Use my car”. “No, I’d have to learn how the Satnav works and there’s no time”. Presence of mind returning I rush off to find the spare. At least I know where that is.
On my way out the door I notice a pile of shopping bags in the hall. Ah, this is a system I developed to make sure I don’t forget to take things into the car; I put them by the door and hide my keys underneath. I find my keys.
This trivial muddle is a microcosm of what its like when you get to my great age and you’re trying to keep on top of the rigours of daily living. You invent a foolproof system and it turns round and bites you.
I actually arrived at my destination with twenty minutes to spare. This is due to my fear of being late phobia. I do seem to have with the very best intentions accumulated quite a bit of baggage accompanying me in my daily round. You might spare a prayer for my longsuffering wife Anita, who does her best to keep us as close to living as normal lives as possible.
We’re coming to the end of yet another challenging year. I doubt there are many of us who haven’t found the journey tough. I wish you the very best for Christmas and the new year and leave you with the poem by Millie Haskins, quoted by King George V1 in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire, just as life was about to get difficult and dangerous. (The story is that he was given this poem by his 13 year old daughter Princess Elizabeth. So very much missed.
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
DarylMartin.org 
Great piece Daryl… but I’m left wondering: ‘So what happened at the hospital?’
Enjoy Christmas!! Many blessings. Bren
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Thanks Bren. And thanks for the card. (We didn’t send any this year, gave the money away.) Oh, we lost Christmas altogether with Anita falling ill late in the day. Happened to half the country I think. As far as hospital goes they want to carry out further tests, so it’s all in hand. They aren’t much worried but too much iron can damage the liver so they want to investigate. Probably end up sticking leaches on me. Love to you both. x
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Hi Daryl
Love your little blogs.
Have a lovely Christmas and may the New Year be a Peaceful and Healthy one.
love and blessings
Bev & Dave Kidley
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Thankyou so much Bev. Means a lot to get the odd response. We lost Christmas; Anita fell ill very suddenly on Christmas Eve. Lot of folk fell ill over Christmas so we weren’t alone. Is it time to get John down again? I’m seeing him in a couple of weeks. I try to get up to him every 6 weeks or so. Love to you both. x
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Hi Daryl so sorry your wife was poorly. Dave wasnt to brilliant either had this awful cough that has been going around (not Covid) just taken weeks to go, but much better now.
I’m not sure who John is? sorry maybe my age (lol)
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Hi Bev, yes, it does linger on, but it goes eventually. My mention of John was intended for someone else I was writing to yesterday! So sorry. Do keep me in touch with what you’re doing these days. Thanks for writing.
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Daryl, Thank you for Blogs throughout the year, they are always thought provoking.
Wishing you and Anita a very Happy Christma and a Peaceful 2023,
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Ray, thankyou so much. The odd note means a lot. I hope you and yours are in good health. We are generally doing well. We lost a grandchild in December so it hasn’t been the best start to the year. The family is finding it hard to process the loss; prayers appreciated. Go well, Daryl
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Hello Daryl
And a Happy Christmas to you too!
Terry
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Hi Terry, Thanks for this note. Hope this finds you well. We cancelled Christmas this year. Anita fell ill Christmas Eve and we had to cancel all travel plans. Also an unexpected death in the family knocked us for six. But this will be a better year. All good wishes to you both.
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It happens to me all the time, which proves there must be at least 2 of us!
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Richard, thankyou so much for this. The odd note coming through always means a lot. I’ve had a couple of requests for advice from Sim these last couple of months. I’m so glad to know that things are going well at Eurovision. It’s always been a rollercoaster. David has an amazing group of trustees behind gim. BTW I enjoy your offerings; forgive me for not expressing my appreciation. Love to you both.
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Dear Daryl,
Thank you for your encouragement. It is only appropriate that I acknowledge back to you, the help you have been to me over so many years, which not only showed me which way to turn, on several occasions, but have also stood me in good stead in the time I was a trustee at Sure Hope Church, which exposed me to a number of entirely different problems!
In retrospect, such were the ructions of Eurovision at the time I was asked to become a trustee – I naturally felt very honoured to be asked, but then to be elevated almost immediately to Chairman, felt like being launched into space! Your steadying hand and unwavering advice were a major stabilising influence.
Having said, Eurovision has been a white-knuckle ride ever since, and never more than now! C’est la vie, as they say…
Wishing you all the very best and good blogging for 2023.
With love from Richard and Rachel
Sent from my iPhone 07889 024410
>
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Daryl, and the wonderful poem. Really fitting in the world we live in.
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Bruno, thankyou so much. Your encouragement means a lot. I pray regularly for your group. They’re an amazing bunch, always pressing onwards and upwards despite the serious difficulties many of them struggle with daily. Your prayers and encouragement must be making a tremendous difference to them. I hope and pray that your new job will bring you joy. It’s been a long time coming, but your patience has been rewarded. Love to you both. Daryl
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Dear Daryl,
Someone gave me covid for Christmas!!!
So not a very festive season but thankful for
seeing signs of recovery.
Just been talking to a friend with a very tough role
in an organisation in conflict- needing a mediator.
As it is in London I don’t suppose you have time or energy
to take on a Mediator’s role?
If you wish to help please give me permission to pass on
your details so you can discuss more fully.
I believe your many years experience of varied Churches
might enable you or someone like you to be trusted by some
of those who find the religious orthodoxy they’ve encountered
again(!) very difficult.
Hoping all your days and full of blessings.
Thank you again for all your help in the past.
I will not be offended if you say- not possible.
God bless. Judith
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Judith, apologies for late reply. We lost Christmas altogether. First my wife came down with it on Christmas Eve, then it was my turn. Pretty much over it now, but it does take away your energy. I hope you are mending well. I’d be bery happy to look at this one. The last assignment was a tough one, but I did end up making a number of new friends. God turns evil to good. Thanks for writing Judith. Please pass on my details.
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