April 30th
It was great to be back, not least to see some of our family; my two sons, daughter-in-law and grandsons, but also to spend a fabulous evening with a dynamic, stimulating group of people mostly under my age, who are seriously exploring what Community might look like in Northern Ireland. An engaging discussion ably facilitated by close friends Ken and Claire left me feeling very positive and with a sense that the years of building relationship and sewing seeds of hope, and offering the Community’s spirituality were taking root and now beginning to flourish and grow in Ireland is very encouraging.
The following day, it was a joy to serve an event organised by another close friend, Stephen, who drew together church leaders from across Ireland for a reflective day at a very pleasant hotel in County Antrim.
A glorious early summer’s evening, saw me driving south to pick up Joshua, my younger son’s, belongings from his apartment in the delightful environment of Trinity College Dublin. Dublin on a summer’s evening is a delight! Hoards of young people relaxing and enjoying the city, the Guinness was flowing, the live music was playing, watching the sunset’s reflection over the River Liffey was a beautiful experience. Joshua, who clearly has his mother’s brains, continues to astound me at the breadth and depth of his academic acumen and his insatiable thirst for learning. His research on the influence of religious narrative on the Protestant Community during the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland is receiving both acclaim and appreciation.
I journeyed back to Belfast late at night listening to the last of the election debates which again appeared to confirm that style would undoubtedly win over substance and no doubt mark the ensuing appointment of David Cameron as Prime Minister and relegate Gordon Brown to the political wilderness. A bleak prospect but my mood was lifted by the beauty of the Mourne Mountains that I see in the distance and an appreciation of the Good Friday agreement and the ongoing Peace Process which marked one of Labour’s great successes and which signals a change for the better for the people of Northern Ireland. Not that sectarianism or disturbing bouts of violence have been obliterated but their damaging impact has undoubtedly lessened.
Shirley and I had the privilege of staying in the home that has been completely modernised by our eldest son, Ben, prior to their moving in at the weekend. We are both amazed by his ability to tackle such a big project whilst holding a responsible job with the Forestry Service and remain a devoted husband and father. It is encouraging and also a salutary lesson to witness your children’s ability to do things that far exceeds your own!
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