Meet you in the Air       (Open Borders, Butter Factory Studios, 2022)

 

St Paul had a mysterious and comforting vision of how we will someday be swept up with departed loved ones ‘to meet the Lord in the air.’

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) Many will be familiar with Paul Kelly’s rendition of Psalm 23, with the refrain “come and meet me in the middle of the air.”

 

This meeting in the air expresses, for me, a yearning for togetherness in eternity, but also across great distance. When borders were closed to keep people safe during the covid pandemic, I felt my heart stretched the distance between ourselves in relatively safe Western Australia, and our relatives in Britain who faced far greater risk. An aunt and uncle died in isolation, and a cousin, made vulnerable by chemotherapy, was unable to leave her home.

 

Meet You in the Air 1: During such times of separation, I am drawn to the coast, especially Lights Beach, to send thoughts of the heart out over the sea, through clouds and all weathers, to meet loved ones in the air.

 

Meet You in the Air 2: A half-remembered, half-imagined beach on the west coast of Scotland – a safe haven on the other side of the world -

 where airbourne messages might be received, and perhaps returned.