Hello everyone. I hope you are ok. I have to start with an apology. I wasn't here last week because we went away. I could lie and say that I forgot to tell you that we were going but I have been schooled on the dark side of the Internet (not the dark web or anything - let's not overdo it). I have been told that you should never put it on the Internet if you are going away because people will break in and make off with your Agatha Christie books and your M and S Pineapple Cakes. I'm not suggesting that any of you good people would consider this but you never know who else is looking in. However, I am not entirely convinced by the idea of someone making the way up the side of our building - possibly using suckers like a little green alien because we are on the first floor and, getting in is not that easy. Also, we are in front of a park which has at least three dog walkers on it at any given time and these dogs don't think twice about sounding the alarm when they see us standing at our own window. BUT, you can't be too careful so I kept quiet.
I know you will be unable to keep a limb still, wondering where we have been. Well, we have been to Bolton, to Bury and to Blackpool. Ha! I know right? HOH, FOW2 and I trundled up north for a week. FOW1 was too busy trying to teach Year 10 Bottom Set that reading is still an essential skill - even if they have already got jobs putting up scaffolding or joining a County Lines Drug Gang.
The main reason to go was to take Aged Parent's Ashes back to Salford. The idea was to scatter them in Salford Quays and possibly have a nice meal with my family afterwards. Unfortunately, the dreaded Covid reared its ugly head (it's a long time since I said something like that) and we were important people missing so we decided to bring her home and try again next year. She didn't get out this much when she was still with us.
Also, can I point out that I was not a part of the Northern Soul scene when Wigan started because I was (a) far too young, (b) not cool enough and (c) probably too busy learning tambourine at the time whilst wearing the tiniest hat I thought I could get away with. However, I have tagged along for a few years now and am comfortable enough to enjoy myself. This was the first time that FOW2 had seen her father dancing and she was suitably impressed I think. Certainly, it was nothing like the first time I saw my dad dancing which I think may have been to Kung Foo Fighting and done just to stop Aged Parent (not aged then obviously) from calling him miserable all night.
Anyway - back to Blackpool. A good night had by all I think. Not sure any of us will be rushing back. 2.30 a.m. is very late for me and Blackpool is really scary. Shame. I used to love Blackpool but some of the pubs on the front are like a Quentin Tarantino movie now. Not that we were going in, you understand but you felt you were taking your life in your hands just to walk past some of these places.
The rest of the time was spent visiting chums, sitting on setees, drinking tea and saying to various children and grandchildren "Oooh, haven't you grown? I remember when you were THIS big!" Indicates random height - much smaller than current height. We enjoyed it very much actually. There is, I think, very little lovelier than not seeing good friends for ages and then, when meeting them again, just slipping back into old ways to talk and memories. Like getting your Winter dressing gown out for the first time after it has spent Summer under the bed and finding out that it feels just as good as you remembered.
I'm hoping that normal service - whatever that is - will be resumed by next week. I had to turn down helping at Messy Church's Alternative Halloween. Only because I am working. I'm quite keen on alternative Halloweens, ever since some horrible kid held my head under the water when I was apple bobbing and it all went up my nose. I was only about eight but I think it probably explains a lot about the rest of my life. Also, I have heard that some of these Halloweens these days are like the Saw series. This is not a good thing.
Right, I'm supposed to be writing a report about how to improve "Welcome" in the church. Me! The most miserable person in Christendom. I don't know how I get myself into these things. Have a good week.
I'm glad you had such a good time away. I went to SH in 1994. It was not a good experience for me. But we were all given lanyards. I still have ours, in my Lanyard Box. They are really strong and useful for tying things together when you move house, or fixing plants to stakes. Wristbands go in another box awaiting their useful next life. You can tell I have been sorting haberdashery. My best tip for Welcome teams is wear a badge with your name in large clear letters. Visitors will find it easier to remember if it is there in front of them. So when the next friendly person speaks to them in the after church coffee queue, they can say "a small/crazy/happy/friendly whatever woman called Martha/Ang/Betty* spoke to me when I arrived this morning. *every church has someone called Betty.
ReplyDeleteIt is still amazing to me how intimidated I was when I first went to a different church after being in the same one for 20 years. I think most Christians are doing their best but It is difficult
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