It is now a month since we attended the funeral for Lizzie’s Uncle Derek, who was eighty-three when he passed away. And that is where my past crashed into my present in the funniest of ways. It is just over fifty years ago that I started work having left school at the age of sixteen.Continue reading “When the past catches up with you”
Author Archives: Papa
The Good Neighbour
I shared this at Logos Community Church – our home church – this last Sunday. Enjoy. Luke 10:30-37 Jesus replied, “Listen and I will tell you. There was once a Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when bandits robbed him along the way. They beat him severely, stripped him naked, and left him halfContinue reading “The Good Neighbour”
Greenwich Market
It is timely to upload this just a matter of weeks after violent Racist and Islamophobic riots threatened to spread like wildfire through the cities of the nation. I would add that coming from one of the provinces, visiting London for a holiday is a shock to the system. One more contextual comment: we doContinue reading “Greenwich Market”
The Universal Need to Grieve
I’m assuming it must be my age, and I feel privileged to be trusted at such a fragile stage of life. Over the last week, I’ve had two blokes, mates, ask if they can talk to me about their own experiences of grief. I’m no expert – who is? But I’ve had to learn theContinue reading “The Universal Need to Grieve”
Silence is Golden
I am, by nature, an introvert. I like my own company, at least most of the time. But it is only in the last few years that I have come to crave being alone in a silence that is only broken by my music of choice. My choice of music has always been fairly eclectic.Continue reading “Silence is Golden”
My mate Charlie
MY MATE CHARLIE In the last two years I have had the absolute joy of being a local lollipop man or, to give me my official title, “School Crossing Patrol Officer.” I prefer the former! I had no idea what a privilege it would be. Not only do I get to keep children – andContinue reading “My mate Charlie”
The Beauty of Darkness and Silence
DARKNESS. The absence of light. Is that it? The man fumbles through the door, tapping with his white stick as he goes. The door closes behind him. There are no windows. No light switches. Not that he can see. He moves forward slowly. His white stick knocks something in front of him. He carefully feelsContinue reading “The Beauty of Darkness and Silence”
New Year’s Resolutions
1. Lose Weight 2. More Exercise 3. Blood-glucose levels under control The usuals. The ones that usually last for about ten days, and then get dumped into the Room 101 Bin! Maybe this year? Who am I kidding? But there is one new resolution this year: BE CURIOUS I have always been curious, inquisitive, orContinue reading “New Year’s Resolutions”
Waiting…
For over four hundred years, they waited; most getting on with their lives. A few waited intentionally, attentively. The Romans turned the screw of empire expansion. Now the waiting becomes urgent. “Where is the Messiah? Our Moses figure? Where is the Kingdom?” Hidden away, in a small town, in a small cave behind a smallContinue reading “Waiting…”
The Diamond of Kindness
Before I start waffling, I am incredibly happy to endorse the artwork and thoughts of Charlie Mackesey. Charlie has the knack of posting a piece of art in such a timely way. His book “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse,” is one of the best books for both adults and children. “ThankContinue reading “The Diamond of Kindness”
The Papa Journey 