Dear me, I appear to be having a weepy day, in between piano practice, writing tomorrow's sermon, cleaning my desk (I was so horrified by the last cleaning, I have resolved to clean it properly much more regularly) hoovering and restoring order to the knickers and socks drawer, yet again.

I'm sure I'm not making matters any better by continuing to listen to the CD that's setting it all off. It's work-related, though, and I've got to do it. I need to have several things from this clear in my brain before I'm very much older.

There are huge numbers of memories attached to this particular musical for me. Learning it at 6th Form, then not being allowed by my parents to be in the performances for reasons I never saw as logical. (No-one could persuade them that it wasn't going to be too much for me being in the performance that night, then going off to France the next day.) Which then led me down memories of being in seriously in love for the first time, and what it was that caused that to flounder two years afterwards.

Then, when I was working as a classroom assistant and played it for performances that year's Year Six did... It was a job I really loved, and am seriously wondering about getting back into. It also contains one of the songs I used with one of the children with whom I worked most closely whenever he hit a really bad patch, and it helped calm him! Bizarre, but true... I'd play it and sing, and he'd bang whatever instruments I'd drag out of the percussion box for him, and it usually did the trick. I got to really, really hate the song, but could appreciate it made my job easier!

Now, there's a new bunch of memories to be attached.

But, what also seems to be kicking into my system is a deeper understanding of the story, a well-known Old Testament story. One of the ones I tend to groan at every time it comes up in the course of the readings, as I mistakenly think I know everything there is to know about it.

How weird... but I'm going with it, it seems to be right for now.

Now, where's that hankie box again!! And isn't it a good job I've got some yummy chocolates.