I was away for a few days and on my travels, I passed this door. It is old and gnarled, yet looks as if it has been doing a sterling job keeping out what is not warranted to pass under the wooden lintel and arched frame.

The strong hinges, the door itself is studded, with bracing too. The large hole, for what must be a substantial key, also caught my attention.

It is under a large porch so little rain or snow would make it wet and cause the trouble of eventual rot.

After a little research it transpires that the building was constructed in 1553. Whether that is the original door, or not, I am sure has been lost in the mists of time to properly clarify. One thing for certain - it has been there for a sizeable part of the near 500 years. Remaining resistant to unwanted guests, or escapees (the building houses an old prison).

Oddly, a little later in the same day I met, at different times, two strangers. Both very pleasant yet so different.

One was very cheery, only too happy to speak and share their thoughts. Whilst I very much enjoyed our conversation, I was aware that I needed to progress on my way…and I am sure they had things to deal with too, albeit they made no fuss. Eventually we went on our way after a few more words and smiles.

The second person too was very pleasant, but their conversation was stilted, almost guarded. Little extra being shared beyond what was needed for the matter in hand. Soon I was on my way again.

When I was looking at my photographs a few days later I remembered the conversations.

It struck me that people can be rather like a door.

Sometimes the door is flung open, a warm welcome made; we are allowed into the room or building the door is protecting, so we can share and see what is beyond. The hospitality, warmth, welcome.

Yet at other times the door is not even opened – a voice requesting our business from the closed side. Else it is opened only far enough to deal with what needs to be dealt with.

This left me thinking:

• At times do I fling open my ‘door’ too wide? Or…
• At times do I not open it far enough?

And in my dealing with other people how can I make sure that the ‘door’ is open enough but not too far to make either party concerned?

This does depend up a whole host of other factors – our haste, aspects of introverted and extraverted behaviours and so much more.

Seeing this old door certainly made me wonder – and if people pay sufficient respect for the door it will remain for many more years to catch a passer-by’s attention. A useful reminder about our own ‘door’.

My best wishes,

Peter