A Sad Day

Today is for me a sad day. It's the last day of the holidays and unfortunately I have to say farewell to this wonderful part of the Lake District - Millbeck which sits at the foot of Skiddaw, just outside the beautiful market town of Keswick.

But not only is it sad from that point of view, I woke up this morning to hear the news that the Scottish nation - my fellow country folk had voted NO in the independence referendum and for me as a YES supporter...it was very hard to take.

To best describe my feelings I would liken the whole of last night and the wee small hours of the morning of that of a child going to bed on Christmas eve, anticipation high that "Santa" might bring some gifts for him in the morning, but just as he heads of to bed, he is given a wee indication from his mum and dad that maybe this year would be different! ..... and so myself I headed off to bed last night catching some of the thoughts of the many journalists trying to predict the outcome of the up and coming result

"The NO's seemed to be in the lead!!" said a couple of folk and the bookies had them favourites as well!! None the less I like that child, I headed off to bed, full of excitement, full of anticipation!

"At 4 AM the child wakes up - he knows he shouldn't but he gets out of bed and begins to creep downstairs. First peeking out of the window to see if it had snowed. It hadn't - the first tinge of disappointment but that soon fades as the prospect of the presents to be had are surely down stairs"

and at 4 AM I woke, quietly got up and unplugged my mobile phone and then connected it to the internet - live streaming from Scotland and the first results were in!!

"the child keeps going downstairs, passing Rudolph's carrots and Santa's whisky which seems be untouched!! He holds the door handle and the opens the door of the lounge ......and as he looks he finds that Santa hasnt been this year! No presents are to be found - His heart sinks! "Maybe its still too early? Maybe he still will come!" but in his heart of hearts he knows that this year there will be no presents under the tree and so quietly he heads back up stairs - not disturbing anyone - but quietly slipping back into bed and with tears gently rolling down his cheek he drifts of to sleep again."

Shetland NO, Orkney NO, Western Isles NO.......facebook has now some updates "Its early days!!" "We can still do this" but in my heart of hearts I knew that this would be a night of disappointment not only for me but many thousands as well. I headed back to bed. And with a tear rolling down my cheek also, I headed back to sleep....

Democracy is alive and well in this great country of ours! The majority of Scottish people have voted NO and we will remain part of the United Kingdom. We will continue to play our part in Britain and who knows how the shape of this union will develop from here on in - for the better and the stronger, I hope.

But last night, a dream passed away. What might have been I will never know but now I will look to the future and keep my trust in Him who holds it firmly in His hands.