Lunch Club day today - one of the highlights of my month.  It was proper driecht (which I still cannot remember how to spell, depsite having been told by real Scots several times) this morning, and by the time we returned home, fine, chilling rain was falling.  I was glad of stew and dumplings followed by rice pudding and jam - proper comfort food!

For several of our folk this was the first time they'd been out this week - and would probably be the last unless the weather improved.  Sobering to think what a high spot this monthly lunch is for so many people.

This month we had an unusually high number of sickness absences - another sign that winter is on its way - and the really sad task of refunding an advance payment for the Christmas dinner to someone who will be dead by then.  There was something very poignant about that, not least because this person has relatively recently found happiness in a new romantic relationship.  Such is the fragility and tentative nature of golden years romance.

We also had a new member, a woman who has an MBE and is remarkably proud of the fact, and makes sure everyone knows, something which annoys several others.  It is a shame that we can't always look fast the veneer to see the frail and frightened human inside, the lonely woman who has fund-raised tirelessly for charity and now faces long, empty days herself.

The whole event seemed to have a cosy glow about it, an unhurried pace, a sense of wellbeing and welcome.  I hope that in some small measure we brought into the lives of these folk the Light that cannot be extinguished and the hope that is beyond age.