Rosie’s Ramblings – Summer 2026

Rosie’s Ramblings – Summer 2026

I’m writing these Ramblings on the hottest May day on record in the UK, with the temperature set to rise to 33°. In fact I was already enjoying (?) this level of heat a month ago when we were on holiday in North Carolina. It’s perfectly normal there, and all the buildings have air-conditioning – thank goodness!

We had a wonderful two weeks with Susie and Shawn, eight-year-old Rhys and six-year-old Annabelle. I hated saying goodbye, knowing that the children will be another year older next time we’re together. However, I’m grateful that we are able to go to see them, or they can come and see us; and in the meantime we can keep in touch via WhatsApp.

It’s hard having one’s family living in America (I might add – under the present administration – but the less said about that the better.) A couple of years ago, Susie became a US citizen. The criteria for citizenship being granted include being “a person of good moral character.” I’m sure the irony of that will not be lost on you, dear reader. Shortly before our holiday, Susie was called upon to perform jury service, which she did. She found it quite difficult and traumatic, as the case involved a double attempted murder (shooting) and possible mental health issues. I couldn’t help thinking it might not have happened in a country with sensible restrictions on gun ownership.

Susie received a handwritten card which she displayed on her mantlepiece. The judge who presided over the case simply wrote: “Dear Ms G., Thank you for your jury service. Our system would not work without people like you. All my best, B.C.” I found that really impressive. The judge could just have got his P.A. to send an email, but to write by hand to each juror takes some effort and makes the thanks seem much more genuine – and I’m sure it was genuine because the handwriting was pretty dire!

Despite the worldly and personal difficulties and sometimes tragedies that we have to contend with, we have much to be thankful for. Viktor Frankl famously said that the last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances. I don’t think we can do better than to cultivate an attitude of gratitude - giving thanks “in all times and in all places”, as we say in our service of Holy Communion every Sunday. We just held our Annual Church Meeting, which involved giving thanks to many people for all that they do. I feel truly blessed to be vicar of St Andrew’s, a welcoming, inclusive church. Our services and events are listed in this magazine; we look forward to seeing you.

Rosie