“... "you'd better go first or you'd better go last. No one will remember what came in the middle." "So what's the point of the middle than?" I asked. "If everyone only remembers the beginning and the end?" "Without the middle, being first or last means nothing." The middle gave the rest its meaning. Like life, maybe. People were born and then they died. Everyone remembers those events. But without the life in between...”
Lindsey Frydman: The Heartbeat Hypothesis I enjoy the middle of things immensely, possibly because I was born in the middle of the year, probably, though, because I quite like to reflect on what has been, and to look forward in hope at events that might become actualities in the future.
The middles I relish most are; Wednesdays, The summer solstice, the jam in a sponge cake, the middle of a great book, and the psalms. O’ and I had the most wonderful mid-life crisis too! (I shan’t write about that). I wonder if now that the age of humans in the west is increasing, if I may be able to claim another mid-life event because I don’t think 40 is old enough to actually enjoy the experience; moving on!!
The psalms, those dear literary friends of mine that I can turn too in any event or situation, they have the words I might need when I am angry, or sad, or rejoicing. I can find wisdom for me and wisdom for a crowd, all within the middle of my bible; 150 of the most delightful and often fiery, conversations with God.
The middle of a great book is a delight because the protagonist is known, the plot is thick with possible outcomes and there are more pages to turn.
The jam in the cake is the most delicious thing EVER, a sweet treat relished, obviously with a cup of the best tea – in a bone china cup on a saucer, on a summer afternoon.
Summer solstice, that magical, mid summers day. The longest hours – 21 hours of light where I live. The re-reading of mid-summer nights dream, or even watching the play. The cricket matches, tiny sandwiches, silly caps and bold blazers; mid summer for me, even in the north of Scotland rain! is a time I look forward too and reflect back on. Child hood summer days are memories that are for me, always warm and bright, and I do not spoil them with the actual memories of rain coats and wellies, or soggy picnics. They are mine and I shall always have mid summer as warm but not too hot, laughter and butterfly catching. And, as it is mid year, I begin to look forward to the roses, the bees – I have a huge bee friendly garden – and the summer clothes that can be removed from the back of the wardrobe where Narnia begins!!!!
And warn even though I might shiver with cold. Wednesdays, well, who doesn’t like a Wednesday. The week is  mid-way done and mid-way to do.
Enjoy your middles. X

Revd Lesley-ann Craddock