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Quiet Places The Newsletter of The Quiet Garden Movement
In her book The White Stone – The Art of Letting Go Esther de Waal writes... “As I begin to think about it I discover that one of the things that happens at a time of leaving – whether a place or a person – is a sharpening of perception. It is though seeing for the last time is akin to seeing for the first time. ... It is a gift and I find myself gazing in wonder at whatever there is in front of me.” As Esther prepared to leave her beloved cottage in the Welsh borders, I too, am about to embark on that same journey—of saying goodbye to all that is familiar and safe and known. Alongside the sadness sits a hopeful new beginning, a new chapter; the next adventure in a new home in Somerset. The Quiet Garden Trust and Movement will travel with me. I (we) are fortunate this move is through choice. We are not fleeing a war torn village; we are not in fear of our lives, nor, the destruction of our home. Indeed we have a new home waiting for us. We are grateful for this. Life shifts and settles around us. Change is inevitable; things do not remain the same, and this of course applies to all things. The charity recognises the changing views of how we meet as a large group and we are working on different ways of doing this differently. Garden hosts who have been with us for years and new hosts join. Advent will bring some welcome time for reflection, space to pray and be still in these changing times. You will find details of two Advent series you can join in the pages to follow. Sarah The Quiet Garden Trust is a UK registered charity—No. 1038528