Day 41 - TWINS

Today I found myself in Coventry. A detour on the way home. Part intrigue to have a gander round the next City of Culture, part pull towards the cathedral which has a special memory for my family.

First off, City of Culture preparations. Which reminded me so much of the sights in Hull about the same time, four years ago. Whole areas being made over but not looking likely to be ready before the Off in a couple of months:

But things came together in the end for Hull. And here's hoping for Coventry too. A city with a similar story to Hull. At least during WW2. When both were pounded with bombs. And have worked hard since, picking up the pieces. And finding peace.

The ruins of the original cathedral in Coventry tell a moving tale. The outside walls and tower remain standing. As do the pulpit steps and parts of the altar. But the rest is gone. Apparently, when the debris was being cleared, two of the roof beams were found, one lying over the other, in the shape of a cross. And two big nails were found too, in the same position. So they were kept. The beams now forming a cross above the original altar. And the nails making the now famous Cross of Nails in the Lady Chapel in the new cathedral next door. 

   

What got me most though, as I was walking round, was reading this:

The fact that after all the trauma and devastation. And the constant vigilance in the aftermath. Just a few years later, Coventry reached out its hand in the form of friendship. To a German town. And began making its peace. Becoming a twin with what was once an enemy. Wow.

The new cathedral is a wonder in the light of that. A symbol of a city rising from the ashes. Of heart and soul as well as architecture and structure. 

My Dad had an experience there over 40 years ago which transformed his life. On his way to a job interview, he stopped off for a bit of solace. Mum had been going to church at the time but Dad didn't want much to do with it. And all the God stuff that went with it. But on that day, he must have needed something. So he sat in a pew and looked up at the huge tapestry of Jesus. And in that moment, saw the eyes light up and look straight at him. Not harshly or judgementally. But kindly and full of love.

It rattled Dad enough to go back after his interview (which was a success) and check if what happened had really happened. And say thanks.

So he sat in the same pew and looked up again. This time, the eyes of the tapestry were normal. Not lit up or penetrating. But he knew something had happened. So he got on his knees and prayed. And made peace with his Maker.

At the same time, unbeknown to either of them, Mum was sitting on the bunkbed in my and my brother's bedroom, praying the same prayer. For some reason she'd suddenly got convicted. And knew she had to make her peace too.

As an 8 year old, I thought it was magic!! Good magic. Especially when my Dad came home with eyes shining and laughing all the time. So different from how he'd been before he'd been sent to Coventry.

Amazing.

So yep, Coventry Cathedral. A very special place. And a special city.

Here's to next year and the start of its stint as the next City of Culture. Praying for peace in the run up and its legacy of reconciliation to touch many hearts and make a difference in the year and years to come.