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The other day I glanced out of my garden shed and spotted a feathered visitor I’d never seen before – a dazzling kingfisher perched in a tree right there a few yards away. Gazing intently at the fishpond. I’ve only ever glimpsed kingfishers as they flash by, near a stream or lake. But for all of forty minutes she stayed there, patiently waiting, hardly moving. Then, in one lethal, breath-taking moment, the small, brilliantly coloured bird darted through the air, penetrated the wire mesh covering the pond, and emerged with a wriggling fish in her beak. And she was gone! Leaving me and my missus speechless, awestruck.Ìý

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I keep looking for the kingfisher to return. She did once, the next day. But only briefly. And since then, nothing. Just sparrows, bluetits, starlings, and our resident robin. Part of me wants the kingfisher to be in the garden every day but before long, I’d probably say, ‘Oh yeah, the kingfisher, lovely.’ And I guess that’s the thing – if every moment in life was special there would be no special moments. Most of us love Christmas, but I can’t believe anyone truly wishes it was Christmas every day! Parties, champagne, and fine food are all well and good, but before long before I for one fancy a cheese sandwich and a mug of tea. I’ve always liked the way the church calendar incorporates not only high days and holidays but whole chunks of the year simply designated ‘ordinary time’ – when there’s nothing to celebrate except ordinariness.Ìý

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It reminds me that ordinariness is most of my life and if I keep wishing it away – hankering after past pleasures or dreaming about the future – I’m really wishing away my life instead of living it. The writer Mary Oliver has a poem that includes what she calls ‘Instructions for living a life’ – just three lines: ‘Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.’ And come to think of it: the iridescent plumage of a common starling in the sun is incredible. And I love the Robin belting out his song in the garden – as if in the Albert Hall. So yes, I plan to celebrate more ordinariness in 2022. Though I still hope the kingfisher returns – our fish on the other hand think otherwise!