Bob Dylan sung ‘The Times they are a-changing’. The teenage me learnt the song and played it on my newly-purchased guitar. I sort of understood it. Nearly sixty years later a-changing times haven’t stopped a-changing.
There’s continuing concern for our a-changing climate. Already this summer we’ve had the hottest day on record, the hottest June on record globally, extreme marine heatwaves, record-low Antarctic sea-ice… record-breaking temperatures in Europe and America.
Politically things are a-changing… Yesterday’s by-election results… big swing away from the Conservatives, Labour winning in Yorkshire, the Liberal Democrats winning in Somerset, Conservatives narrowly holding on to Uxbridge and South Ruislip… The Donald Trump drama continues in the US…
For many it’s personal a-changing times. Yesterday our friend Gail wrote:
‘After fourteen years, today is my last day teaching. It’s been a mad ride. It’s been fun, stressful, heartbreaking and exhausting. Thank you to those of you who’ve made it easier just by being there and making me laugh. Also, shout out to those who made it SO difficult, told me I wasn’t good enough or generally put me down – thank you for making me a stronger person. I’ve taught hundreds of children. Some have been infuriating, some have been hilarious, some have made me lose sleep and some have made an indelible impression on my heart…’
Musing…
…family and friends… moving on to the next phase of their education, moving into a new home, moving away from harmful influences and relationships, moving towards a medical diagnosis or treatment, moving into the next chapter of their life… For some change is exciting; for others it’s necessary…
…one or two elderly friends… weary of a-changing times… I recall the old hymn ‘Abide with Me’:
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
This morning that’s my prayer for them, for Gail, and for me.
malcolmsmusings.org 