TODAY I PRAY

I’m proud to be born and bred a Lancashire Lass. Today, nearly a week since the bombing, I am in a reflective mood. As a teenager, I spent many hours in Manchester, where I’d meet friends, we would shop, eat and laugh there. I’ve queued up for hours outside the Ardwick Apollo for concert tickets. As an adult, I’ve shopped, eaten and laughed there. I went to Poly in Manchester, and now my youngest son studies there. Just like everyone, as I heard the stories of loss, of bravery, of generosity, I’ve been so sad and overwhelmed.

I pray for all the victims, police, health workers, teachers and all their loved ones and everyone else involved in finding a way forward in their forever changed lives. 

I pray for the Spirit of Manchester to gather momentum. 

I pray and hope that we all find the strength to stand up and speak out when we see someone doing the wrong thing.

I pray that we embrace our differences. 

I pray that those sending love are able to talk louder and for others… to be still long enough to listen. 

I pray that we all spend less time on our phones and technology and more time engaging face-to-face.

I pray that every child receives the love, respect and good moral compass they deserve. 

I pray that once again every teenager can travel freely into our cities, meet friends, shop, eat and laugh there, all without looking over their shoulder.
Namaste,

With love,

Glynnis x

* The Worker Bee – the symbol of Manchester’s hard working past during the Industrial Revolution now used as a poignant tribute to the victims.