Second on the right....

J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, was born here in Kirriemuir. The wee red toun of Kirrie is full of reminders of the boy who never grew up. I came across this bench up at the Neverland Play Park. It reads, 'Second to the right' said Peter 'and then straight on till morning'. These are the directions that Peter gives to Wendy for Neverland. 

We may all need help with direction in our lives at different times.   Often talking to wise friends, praying or reflecting on God's word can give us the clarity we need to move forward. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you".

All roads lead to Rome

The saying goes 'all roads lead to Rome'. And here is proof. I left Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, the birthplace of J.M. Barrie, author of 'Peter Pan' to go on holiday in Rome. Walking down the streets of Rome I was passed by this bus .... Peter Pan too had followed the road to Rome!

Having taken the photo I was then left wondering - why had it appealed to me so much? I think it is to do with connections. I have a very strong bias for being connected to my roots. Whether that is digging around my family history or returning to places of my childhood or youth - I have a strong sense of belonging to people and places. Seeing Peter Pan in a far flung country drew me back to my adopted town of Kirriemuir. A feeling of familiarity and relatedness. It was a good feeling.

I had the same feeling on Sunday when I attended the Church of Scotland service in Rome. The week had been full of new experiences:- wandering among the ancient treasures of Rome, looking in wonder at the incredible artwork in the Vatican museum and standing in awe under the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. But, coming into the Church of Scotland building with all its' simplicity and worshipping in such a familiar way, I felt again that sense of belonging and relatedness. It was too a good feeling.