Ashes

By the time I left work, mid-afternoon, the rain had turned to sleet. I had another shift to do, an event in the Mall, 'Science Jam'. We set up. Strangers approach me when I'm a moving target in Superstore, in the Mall I'm a sitting duck. And I'm wearing a pink top because it's 'wear pink for anti-bullying' day. I'm a pink sitting duck.
I perform my social service and try to do it with good grace because it's Ash Wednesday.
I've pre-warned the organiser we're packing up at 18.30 because it's Ash Wednesday.

We get outside to the car park and the sleet has turned to frozen snow. We're being pelted with little balls of frozen snow. I think about Kevin cycling home in it.
I haven't eaten since lunchtime.

I get to church and wait a few moments in the car. Then I brave the snow in my thin, pink jumper and still damp jacket, and go inside.

We have ashes put on our foreheads.

I'm hungry and it's been a long day, and it's snowing outside, and as I approach the altar, I can smell the blood of Christ. It smells so inviting, comforting, I have a moment of want, and then just that one, single sip of the shared wine, sends warmth through my veins to every part of my body.

It was a sublime moment, even if just a touche sensuous.
I love that.