17 July 2026

I was visiting an older member of the kirk. She is living in a nursing home although she is hoping to get back to her own house. This hope will never be fulfilled. Like the Lord’s servant, it remained unchallenged. I did not quench this dimly burning wick.

There was so much that she did not remember. I was one, her elder daughter, another. Names and places eluded her but she was animated by my conversation about my younger daughter’s wedding and when I asked her about her own bridal gown, she remembered.

By the time I was leaving, the tea trolley arrived. A young man dressed in a blue uniform offered my friend  a box of plain biscuits – digestives were plentiful, wafers were fewer, custard creams, hidden. My friend chose a wafer and then something surprising happened.

‘Here’s one that you like.’ said the young man, picking out a custard cream that had been hiding behind the digestives. Neither she nor I had seen it. My friend beamed. ‘Is that your favourite?’ I asked. My friend smiled broadly.

When I left the nursing home, I heard a voice shouting, ‘Alright pal?’ I looked round and there was the young, white Scot who had been passing the biscuits in the nursing home.  ‘Do you know which biscuit each resident likes best?’ I asked. He smiled. ‘That would be insane!’ he replied. ‘But I know some!’

I was impressed that he had remembered such a small detail in one person’s life. It illustrated a level of care which was unexpected. Despite her ill health, my friend smiled a lot and laughed with me. I am sure her joy was safeguarded by a staff who knew her  well. So pass the custard creams and let’s celebrate the  moment!