I was trying once again to get to sleep by praying the Rosary. As happens, my mind wandered off and I was worried about one of my children not agreeing to do something I wanted them to do.

I realised then that, without knowing, I had come to the precise place in the Joyful Mysteries when Jesus’ parents search for him in the Temple and they cannot find him. He replies tartly that he must be about his father’s – i.e. not their – business. I have always found it a rather less pleasing part of the mysteries, but strange and revealing that I should come across it at that moment.

I went to a memorial service for a friend today and what was most appealing was the grandchildren and children telling about their grandmother when they had been rebellious teenagers and how their grandmother had understood.