Downright Joy

Discovering joy in unexpected places – a journey into Down's syndrome, Dyspraxia & Autism

Tag Archives: #Giver


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The Nurturer

Image by Krzysztof Mandrysz from Pixabay

We asked for help, a year ago.
It was hard to do.
Pride got in the way, many times; weariness stood over us, blocking our view
Of what help could mean, not just to us
But more importantly, to you.

Years of thinking we should be able to cope
Manage by ourselves, not admit any hint of defeat.
It felt wrong, somehow, to ask just for us
But we should not have been afraid to ask
For you.

Help emerges, stepping very gently in on our daily scenes.
Those tasked with listening, listened.
Compassion now walks faithfully, routinely, through our front door.
She rolls up her NHS sleeves, and as I back slowly away, out of sight, I glimpse her smiling, so very tenderly, at you.

We never knew, incredibly, we never knew!
That help intended for us meant new independence,
A new face, a new friend, a giver,
Someone new, as well as and other than us to smile with, nurture and care

For you.

“You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father. Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows?” (Matthew 10 v 29 The Passion Translation)


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The Giver

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash

I saw Sadness leave one day back in early September,
It stood up and walked out through the door.
Without a word of warning, it simply left your face.
Not pausing to say goodbye or farewell
But still, leaving me shocked to the core.

I did not notice when Sadness came into your life,
This was not someone I thought you of all people knew.
Yet the moment Sadness left you was also the moment I saw
That for many days, weeks, months even years more than I’d realised
Life had been growing harder for you.

Sadness moved in on you, on us, so very slowly, stealthily.
A Master of Disguise in lives lived permanently on high alert
For the next medical emergency or serious health concern.
Sadness was, at first, just a virus then perhaps it was not…but if not, then what?
Doctors looked for a reason why you were no longer yourself; why so inert?

The day Sadness left was the day I knew it had ever even stayed.
That soft autumnal morning as I signed to you ‘the first day of school.’
After months of your outside world shrinking in ways that had broken my heart
Your face looked up and THAT smile at once returned, revealing the truth
You’d been sad for too long, not ill.

Christmas came in September, with gifts of friendship,
Farm visits, fun and laughter at school, at home.
Connections once again made with others who bring you joy.
Inertia left with Sadness, scooping up Entitlement who I confess I’d invited to stay.
Leaving room once more, at this particular Inn, for those who make their love for you known.

I’m thankful, this Christmas, for the Giver as much as I am for the Gift.

Happy Christmas to all who celebrate with us x

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.“

Words of Jesus, recorded in John 10 v 10, The Bible and my prayer for all who read this.