Category Archives: Viewpoint

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Children – taking us onwards

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Another long drive today listening to the radio. It left my heart splintered with news of violence. And it is our violence. Violence we still seem able to justify as just. Should any cause have the right to claim cruelty as a tool? Should any tool be weaponised against children?

I love knowing children are amongst us. They are the energy of our lives, encouraging us all onwards. And they are the roots of our future, holding us all in place. Yet still we inflict terrible damage on them and their communities. Why? Because we are tangled in bitter spirals, and the struggle to free ourselves only digs the thorns deeper.

What can we do about it? Surely the answer is that we must do what we can with what is within our reach. Learning to be calm. Loving the children around us. Giving them time. Giving them hope. And listening.

May the violence stop.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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The bells were out in Covent Garden

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London was busy with children today – half-term happy and full of sunshine. I met a few of them during the tube journeys I made.

The first family included three boys of primary school age, and two adults. They all remained calm during the few stops I was with them. Perhaps this was due to the middle child, aged around six, who seemed to be studying a copy of a medium-sized newspaper with real attention. Cool as a commuter he held the paper out wide in front of him, succeeding in drawing envious glances from the boy beside him. The family spoke only occasionally, and when they did it seemed to be in German.

On my next journey the second family to sit down opposite me were French. The three boys were around the same age as those in the first family, and were accompanied by two adults, one of whom I assumed was the grandmother. They all behaved immaculately, and were dressed immaculately – so immaculately I began to wish I’d made more of an effort. Then the third family arrived.

The two boys – one probably seven and the other a little younger – sat down beside me, while their mother stood, making anxious suggestions to them about sitting still. They did not listen. They knew they had the attention of the French boys on the seats opposite, and seemed to consider it a matter of national pride that they should demonstrate their best wrestling techniques and their worst language, while their mother wilted with exhausted embarrassment beside them. As my stop arrived the youngest was attempting acrobatics off the hand rail.

I left the train with a mental salute to all parents, but especially the lone parents out there, trying to manage young children through half-term. Definitely not one of the easier jobs going.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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The sun came out today

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This morning dawned sunny and soft, the light sparkling with moisture and the leaves still clinging on.

It’s been a relief to see the sun after all the rain that has been scrolling over us recently, sometimes pausing, its attention leaving everything soaked. But the conditions we’re experiencing are little more than wet compared to other parts. In the north of England, and in Scotland, in particular its east coast, the rain has been drenching and persistent. It looks like the conditions there became unnerving over the weekend – properly wet and frightening for those caught in the worst of it.

However today, here in the south, this morning came along. It peeped into the room first thing, and has kept shining all day, bringing the warmth with it. It’s been the perfect time to be outside London. The grass is green, most of the trees still have their leaves, roses are budding and blooming, the birds are singing, and occasional bees can still be seen buzzing to and fro. Hard to believe it’s not long until the end of October.

Then this evening I looked out of the window and stopped what I was doing. There was the moon sliced clean in half, right down its middle, hanging like half a pearl in the clear sky, so balanced and calm. Apparently it’s a first quarter moon. It would be nice if some of its tranquillity could be passed down to us.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023