28 March 2026 – From My Diary 1996

Parish visiting is still dominated by the massacre at Dunblane. A son thought the tragedy speeded up his father’s demise. An old woman had difficulty sleeping. A child told me about soft toys in his classroom which came from across the globe.  They were invited to choose one, cuddle it and think about  those affected by the tragedy.

I visited an older woman returned from hospital. ‘I will have more peace dead.’ she said. Another gave me £100 for the refurbishment of the organ. ‘Do you remember the hundred pounds which you gave me from the kirk fund when I needed it?’ she asked. I didn’t. ‘Well, I dinnae want to dee without payin’ it back. I’ve been saving up.’

An old man in hospital told me, ‘I’m the happiest I have ever been.’ It was surprising because of his failing health. ‘Why are you so happy?’ I asked. He replied with a rare simplicity, ‘Christ, my Saviour!’ He wrote hymns for personal devotion.

Thirty people sat down around tables to celebrate the Sacrament on Maundy Thursday. When I got  home, there was a message to tell me about a member who had a tumour. I visited his wife and accompanied her to the hospital along with their daughter. Fifteen minutes later, he died with his family around him and the kirk’s prayers to sustain him.

There was time in the week to take the children to ‘Toy Story’ at the cinema in Falkirk. On 3 April, the two younger children were out of bed to watch the eclipse of the moon through our telescope. ‘At first there was a beautiful glow around the moon.’ I wrote. ‘As it became eclipsed it turned orangey-brown. Mary-Catherine was more excited than anyone.’

Last Sunday, the organ failed to make music. Fortunately, we had the choir to lead our praise. They sang, ‘When I survey the wondrous cross.’ as an anthem. That week, I had visited Colin’s piano teacher and asked her about starting up a music group. She thought about it – and agreed. It turned out to be a beautiful gift for the kirk.