There are a few days in the year which are a joy to very many people but a challenge to some.

Christmas especially can be difficult after the loss of a loved one and it can feel very lonely.

Valentine's Day for those who yearn for a relationship but haven't found their right person can

be likewise.

Mothering Sunday also very much falls within this category. For many, Mother's Day, as it's

called outside this building, is a lovely day. It's a day of flowers and cards and cake and a very

early morning if you're in the rectory.

Today isn't Mother's Day at St John the Baptist. It's Mothering Sunday, as Laurie told me when

he looked at the cards I produced for the children and got very grumpy at me about the fact

that they said Mother's Day. The words Mother's Day and Mothering Sunday might sound ...