I’m Still Standing

Last night we enjoyed ‘Norah’s Ark’, an excellent new play written by our friend John. Set in Lowestoft it tells Norah’s story…

Young Norah sees the devastation caused by the 1953 floods… adult Norah experiences the 2013 floods… throughout her life she has a recurring dream about a future flood…

Norah builds an ark in her back garden… spends her life campaigning tirelessly about the effects of pollution and climate change – one woman standing resolutely and passionately for her beliefs.

I’ve often heard the USA’s national anthem ‘Star Spangled Banner’; recently I’ve learnt how and why it was written:

O say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?…

It’s 1814. The British Navy bomb Fort McHenry by Baltimore Harbour throughout the night. The Brits are convinced that the fort’s destroyed. As dawn breaks it becomes clear – the fort’s still standing; the American flag’s flying triumphantly above it. It’s a song of pride and resilience…

At Glastonbury Elton John sung:

…I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time…

Here was a 76-year-old who’s been at the top of the music industry for over 50 years… with limited mobility… having experienced difficulties and problems (granted, some of his own making)… He can still belt out: ‘I’m still standing’.

Musing… on those who’ve had an impact on my life… gents who came back from the traumas of WW2 to guide my early years… Ray and Ted who both suffered with depression, but were wise guides and examples to me… folk today demonstrating dignity and integrity as they face addictions, life-limiting illness or bereavement…

…demonstrating Norah’s resolute passion, Star Spangled Banner’s resilient pride, Elton’s ‘true survivor’… Some have gained strength and direction from their faith… All could sing ‘I’m still standing better than I ever did.’

I hope and pray that I can too.