On the pilgrim way: ‘January blues have hit’

28/01/2020 | Reform

The January blues hit me early this year – on New Year’s Eve. For the past 30, or even 40 years, we have brought in the new year at my husband’s brother’s home in Lincolnshire. Because the brothers had a … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘God has lifted my spirits’

22/11/2019 | Reform

The God of surprises has recently given me new hope, in unexpected places. I recently went, rather unwillingly, to our local Labour Party selection meeting, to choose our parliamentary candidate. We are a safe Conservative seat, so for Labour it … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘The suicide’s anniversary has come and gone’

01/11/2019 | Reform

The first anniversary of our granddaughter Ciara’s suicide has come and gone. There was a flurry of family phone calls and texts checking our son Peter’s address and the precise date of Ciara’s death. On the actual day, we happened … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘Clearing out our scullery began to be fun’

27/09/2019 | Reform

Sheila Maxey finds joy in tidying and recycling

I have been clearing out our scullery after at least 30, if not 40 years. It is a Victorian house and we have lived in it for over 50 years. I am … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘Longer term memory is a blessing’

23/08/2019 | Reform

Sheila Maxey reflects on memory

Memory is a touchy subject among old people like me because we are all experiencing short-term memory loss. What did I come upstairs for? Why can’t I remember the name of my neighbour? It is … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘I want to resist conclusions about prayer’

01/07/2019 | Reform

Sheila Maxey tries to describe – and not analyse – prayer

I am very hesitant to speak, let alone write about prayer. It is so easy, as mere mortals, to find ourselves, in our heavy-footed way, analysing, quantifying, drawing conclusions … Read More