Sixth Candle

We took the rail up through the lakes district to Carlisle on the border with Scotland. This is the home of the Royal Border Regiment but much is closed down in the winter. Carlisle Castle is an impressive fort on the west end of Hadrian's Wall.  The Cathedral was built in 1122 and has many memorials to fallen soldiers through the years of dispute at this boundary established by the Romans.  

The museum features archeological finds from Roman encampments and later times.  This city seems to have always had a military character.

My explorations on ancestry.com found that my ancestors on both mother and father's side are from this part of the world. In the 17th century there are records of my forefathers who were buried in St. Cuthbert's here in Carlisle.   We are visiting the cemetery there today to see if we can find the old bones.

It began to rain for the first time today and we ducked into a theater.  
Lo and behold "The Iron Lady" was just starting, so we took in the film.  If you haven't seen it, you will be surprised by the format which travels back and forth in time from when Margaret Thatcher was in her later years suffering from dementia and her life as Prime Minister.  The acting is super, and the film raises some interesting questions about the strains of a political life and its effects on the psyche.

I lit a candle for you in Carlisle Cathedral where I found this beautiful unnamed image of Mother and Son.  I love the way she is lifting him up to the light.  There was no place to light a candle, but I said a prayer for all of you who lift up others through your teaching, your ministry, your inspiration and your support in so many ways.  May God bless you with strength and reward you with love.