For Manchester And So Many Decent People

Born in Manchester one grew up with the annual IRA threats each Christmas.Manchester handled them well.Then in 1996 came the ghastly bombing of the city which took years to put right. Now another hit  but an even nastier group. Today the city was very empty .Business places stayed closed as a mark of respect. All police leave has been cancelled and they were in force on the streets sweltering in their flak jackets. The collage seemed apt. Manchester is after all my city. It  shows a sign.for this city and a flower found on some dereliction .This  will live on as a symbolic flower for all. The extra shows a typical street. Usually very busy it was empty. So much and to cap it all the Cathedral was shut . St Anne's church seemed to be the focal point for prayer and a point of remembrance. It will take awhile before things are back to normal but having done so many times before, Manchester will do it again. Thoughts go to all those families personally affected. The perpetrators are not big on joy ...all the more reason to carry on making sure we make joy a part of each day .