Thought for the Week – 10th June 2012
Platinum next?
What a wonderful weekend at church and at the Rectory. After months of planning and hours of work during the run-up- to the Jubilee weekend we were delighted that everything went to plan.
For the first time for many months I was quite nervous about everything, at home and at church, I think because it was a special service on Sunday followed by lunch in church and then a family dinner party at the Rectory. Expecting everything to be right was important, as I wanted to pay tribute to the Queen, but also make a weekend to remember for my wife on her 60th birthday.
Now we move on to celebrate the Olympics and many other events that will be take place in this special year.
My late mother spent the latter part of her life always planning something. A section of the house was always being decorated, the garden changed, or a new outfit of clothes. Whatever the Spring or Autumn colour was my mother would wear it, and living in Luton the hat manufacturing centre of the UK, she was not short of the odd hat for church on that special occasion. The diary was always full, and outings were planned and holidays booked well in advance. Her motto was if you felt miserable, then do something.
It seems rather a truism to say that my upbringing has affected my life, but it has. Therefore sitting in a garden is not easy especially when a border needs weeding, and going on holiday, which I will do shortly, is not a time for relaxation but needs planning and organising. ‘Where are we going?’ my wife has asked on a number of occasions, and this time it will be a tour of England and all the places that she likes because it is a special year for her. But each day has been planned, each hotel stop booked, and no doubt we will use every hour possible.
The Queen has used her 60 year reign filling her years with numerous trips abroad, visiting each of the 54 commonwealth nations. She has been at the heart of our nation bringing stability and encouragement especially at difficult times, and the outpouring of thanksgiving of this last weekend has been enormous.
What does our Sovereign teach us? Firstly that you don’t need to give up just because you are getting old. Secondly, that you should use every day. Thirdly you can mix together a deep spiritual faith with having fun, and that just because you are very old in the eyes of your children (as in my case), actually you can still enjoy life to the full.
The Diamond Jubilee made me very proud to be British but also it was amazing to see the mix of nationalities cheering and coming together throughout the country in celebration. We must be thankful for those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create every event and in my own church I was delighted that so many people came together and celebrated but also worked so hard to create the service and ‘Bring and share’ lunch. The balloons and bunting will soon be coming down but our memories of this weekend will last for many months to come.
I pray that the Queen lives as long as the Queen Mother, and that God-willing we will be around to see her next Jubilee which will in June 2022, and this will be a Platinum Jubilee and she will be 95. What a celebration that will be!
Adrian Bell
