OK. This is the plan. Just like it says. I am going to sit in churches to think. I have been daring myself to do it for months. I live in central London and each day, taking the children to school, doing the shopping, going to work, always running to the next bit, always racing, I walk past so many churches. I imagine the interiors as beautiful, peaceful places. And yet, I am scared to go inside. I am the single mum of two young boys, with an ex alcoholic ex husband living in a hostel on our street, a load of debt and a rejected novel. My life isn't very pretty. Though I love it. Love those boys, love writing, love London, love having discovered so much along the way. But somedays it is a struggle to keep going, keep everyone else going, keep OK and I think that must be why those beautiful, peaceful places look so appealing.
I intend to go to the nearest church to our small flat first, and then the second nearest etc but I am not going to measure distance on maps, just guess it. I want to describe the churches I sit in. Name them, give some details of the place, some history. I am fascinated by the idea of people building them, building so many, the gradations of belief and faith that meant another, a street away, would be necessary. I will enter any church that will let me. I aim to start tomorrow. Though I am scared.
Amen.
