OK so
Rainworth Fencing Company might not be the most exotic view in the world, but
it is a view, and in the sunshine today, it all looks wonderful!
The sky is blue, with a few brushes of red - the forecast today is good,
so I hope it's not a question of a "shepherds warning".
I am going to see my mother today in Grimsby, with my son Daniel, and two
granddaughters, so I thought I would have a break from reflecting on my stay in
hospital and the aftermath of the operations – I will keep those for another
day.
Rather, I thought I would reflect on the three visitors I had yesterday,
and what they had to say to me. I won't mention any names, but identify them by
what they do – you may of course know their names but that's ok.
My first visitor yesterday was a Macmillan nurse.
I hadn't particularly asked for such a visit, but the district nurse who
came to see me earlier in the week thought it would be good for me to have this
contact so that when I really needed someone I knew who I was talking with.
She stayed with me almost an hour and a half and it was the most
wonderful and helpful visit. We talked about my medication, pain, and
constipation. She was very reaffirming and I can now expect a visit perhaps
twice a year until I really need somebody more often.
I did express a wish to her that when the end was to come, however far
away that may be, I would like it to be at home. She thought this would not be
a problem, but of course she couldn't guarantee it – which I fully understand.
She did go on to raise an interesting issue – to which I had already
given some careful consideration. Initially she was hesitant in raising the
subject, but I did say to her that I thought I knew what was going to talk
about and she was simply to go ahead with it.
Of course that question was about resuscitation – if I made a turn for
the worse and for example my heart stopped or other organs failed, did I want
to be resuscitated or not.
The answer I gave her, and I give to everyone, is that I don't want
resuscitating.
Today we try and prolong life far too much, and whilst I am very grateful
for all the expertise and medication I have already received, and know that
without it I wouldn't be here now, we have to get the balance right. I am still
having a good standard of life and of living, and the outlook is still quite
good, but there will come a time when this will not be case, and rather than
experiencing hell on earth, I should be focused more on the glory of
everlasting life - heaven - after all that is what I have preached for all
these years.
Next visitor was our local Vicar - a super person. We chatted for over an
hour, mainly about Mansfield Deanery and the Diocese. We also chatted about my
future plans, and my desire to take different services each week covering
parishes without a Vicar, mainly in Newark and Southwell Deanery. Thought it
was only right to share my plans with her, as former vicars living on the
parish were they had recently been in charge, can be a problem, as I know too
well from my own experience.
Between us I think we could sort the church out, and by golly it needs
some sorting out.
The third visitor was the head of Religious Education at Dukeries
College. Again a super chap.
Over the four years I have been a governor at Dukeries college, and got
involved with the college (a secondary school) in a big way.
I also would visit the RE department as often as I could, and I tried to
get on a couple of times a month. I found it so exhilarating having my faith
challenged by the young people, who were just crying out for a spiritual need -
a spiritual need that the church were not fulfilling. Questions, questions,
questions, and the only answers the church so often gives, are answers to
questions it thinks young people should be asking, not what they are asking!
It is now 12noon, and we over half way to Grimsby - and we have stopped
for coffee. Using my iPhone today to write this posting, which slows me up.
Tomorrow I will reflect on my visit to my Mother.
Tonight I will again be looking out of my window - this time for football
pitch sized asteroids which are passing very near. The effect of it seemed
quite spectacular last night in Western Russia - I wonder if our show will be
as spectacular.
See you tomorrow, unless I get hit by something from outer space!
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