Miracles in the snow

Miracles in the snow

When the snow stops, but it’s still cold, I walk the dog. I watch him padding through the slush. He doesn’t seem to mind.
Back home the TV is on in the corner of the lounge. Dad is watching ‘Songs of Praise’. He asks me if it is still very cold outside? I say “Yes!” I sit on the sofa in the toasty lounge and peer at the gas fire. It radiates heat like a sun. Max, our spaniel sits on the carpet and cleans himself. He is in no hurry.
Dad sings to a hymn on the TV. He wishes he could attend a real church service, but for his poor health. I make a mug of tea for us both.
When ‘Songs of Praise’ is over we eat a few biscuits from a tin our neighbour gave us for Christmas. They taste good, with a thick layer of chocolate on top. I wash -up the mugs and biscuit plates before going into the warm lounge again to see dad. The News is on TV. We chat over it. Max is asleep in his basket. I close the curtains and say goodbye to the cold outside.
Dad prays for a cure to his rheumatism. I’m just thinking what else there is to do today. Monday tomorrow. We’ll start again then. I sigh and switch off the gas fire. The radiator on the wall comes on and water pumps through the pipes.
Later, outside, the moon is still obscured by cloud. It starts to rain. But the temperature is above freezing. I helped dad up the stairs and say goodnight. He gets into bed and sleeps. All the pain in his joints fades away. At night, his prayers are answered and subconscious dreams take over.
By morning there is snow on the ground again, all white and picturesque. It’s time to go for a walk with Max. He is eager, and we both kick up snow – me with my wellies, him with his paws. Dad waves at us through the window. I head off, with Max on his lead. We get to the park and he can run around whilst I think. I’ll take dad to the doctor’s today. Medication is like the modern Jesus, pills the miracle. It’s strange how a reluctant believer can become a disciple. I guess it’s just the current age we live in. Stuff happens.