OH THE COMFORT

I have just come back from the wedding of my very good friends Jacqui and Andy, in Mallorca. It was just divine in every way, and I felt so privileged to share the beautiful occasion with them.

I wanted to share this poem I read during the ceremony.

I found it earlier this year written in my Grandmother’s Grandmother’s journal (so my great, great Grandmother!) dated around 1876.

I love this for its universal joy in finding another.  And without being restricted to husband and wife either, it is about the level of intimacy forged between friends that is timeless; and utterly, preciously human.

But oh! The blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one’s deepest as well as one’s most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely.  Oh the comfort – the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person – having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and  then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

By Dinah Murlock Craik

Henrietta Kemble (my great great grandmother)