My day began with the dog bringing me a gift of a dead sparrow. Fortunately this is not typical behaviour of Lacey. In fact I’d dare to say that she had nothing whatsoever to do with the demise of the poor thing, although considering the very hard frost on the ground, its body was quite warm, indicating recent death. Sadly, one less bird to count. My sister and I, although 300 miles apart, drank tea and watched birds together this morning. She’s very organised and has a spreadsheet. I’m not and had the back of a piece of paper.

We’re getting our practice in for the RSPB big bird watch at the end of the month. It’s interesting to compare notes. We both live in suburban areas, but Frances is probably closer to the country than we are here in East Belfast. She has visits from woodpeckers and wood pigeons which I certainly don’t.

Yesterday Lacey and I walked along the Knock River through Orangefield Park. We often see herons there and apparently there are kingfishers and otters to be seen too. But I had a treat on this trip as an egret was gracefully stepping through the water.

Inspired by our bird watching and the fact that Frances has all her birdboxes cleaned out ready for nesting season, I spent the happiest hour doing the same and relocating them all a bit higher in the trees and facing the right direction a little more accurately. Here’s hoping for some new families moving in to our garden.

I wrote another post once (Wellies and Wheelbarrows) about getting out in the garden and how much healing it does for me. It’s not just healing from difficult things though, but general healing of the soul from the everyday, inevitable thoughts and wonderings.

Everyone is a bit apprehensive about this new year. All of us hopeful for what the vaccines will mean for our communities, but all of us very aware that this is not an instant, overnight solution. As a parent and a teacher, I am apprehensive about these next few weeks. Online learning for my two at home. For the boy its for the whole month of January. This is a real challenge for him. Unstructured days with no one-to-one support. For me, its back to school tomorrow, working together with my fantastic colleagues to keep each other and all of our wonderful students as safe as we possibly can.

All of 2020 seemed to be about taking one day at a time, and I think 2021 is going to be pretty much the same. That’s a good thing though isn’t it? Living in the moment, this moment. Breathing in the frosty air of my Sunday morning garden. Breathing out thankfulness for the time and space to be present with nature’s beauty and her creator.

On New Year’s Day I walked along the river Lagan. Behind me was a murky, atmospheric mix of rain and sunshine. Ahead, a bright rainbow. A symbol of hope. It seemed a poignant image of the year we are leaving and the year that lies ahead. There was definitely some murkiness in 2020, but also the gift of sunshine. Especially for me, where the support of family and friends was concerned. People finding creative ways to bring some kindness to the lives of others. We are entering this new year with some hope and everyday, in my ‘one day at a time’ I am going to be looking out for rainbows.