Yesterday I heard about Daniel Fairbrother. A police patrol car in Stevenage, Hertfordshire stopped Daniel, who was jogging with a 25.7kg fridge strapped to his back.
The police thought he might be up to no good; Daniel explained that he’s training
for the London marathon. Raising money for Diabetes UK he’s trying to break a world record of 4 hours and 52 minutes for running a marathon with an appliance!
Yesterday I chatted to several people carrying their own 25.7kg fridge-loads on their back…
Lizzie… In a care-home, cheerful and charming, she was working a 14 hour shift. She talked about her responsibility for ensuring that all of the residents take their medication. Lizzie carries her fridge-load – long hours and work responsibility.
Lucy… Preparing for her sister’s funeral, well-organised, she was planning the service, tributes, refreshment arrangements. All must to go to plan. Lucy carries her fridge-load – getting it right for her sister, family and friends.
Lenny… Reflecting on past hurts and disappointments, describing unsuccessful efforts he’d made to put things right, sort things out, mend broken relationships, Despite his best efforts, all had failed. Lenny carries a fridge-load of guilt and regret.
I went to bed last night thinking of 25.7kg fridges I carry on my back… work, responsibilities, getting things right, guilt and regrets…
I had a weird dream. I was sitting an English Literature exam. I’d done no work for the exam; I was panicking; I knew nothing and wrote nothing. Burdens of work, responsibility, doing well, guilt and failure were all there.
I came out of the exam feeling awful. There was my friend Jenny. She started telling me about the burdens she was carrying, her own fears and anxieties. I could empathise with her because of my fridge-load, but as I listened I forgot about my own burdens.
The dream ended with me walking down the street with my arm around Jenny’s shoulder. I was starting to understand why I carried my fridge-load.
malcolmsmusings.org 
I always enjoy, and am challenged to ponder more deeply, your excellent analogies, Malcolm.
If only we could easily see the refrigerators others carry, like the runner. By the same token, we may not fully realize the size and weight of our own back borne ice box. This we know: everyone is carrying something, so we should handle, and be handled with care.
Your dream seems like I provide a ready answer: bearing one another’s burdens is a reciprocal action—where both parties benefit.
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I’m increasingly aware of the burdens that people carry. They aren’t always as visible or publicly acknowledged, as a fridge, but none the less they are very heavy. Paul’s context of Galatians 6:2 was one of humility and restoration… which seems good advice too.
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“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” a song sung by the Hollies about Boys Town in Nebraska comes to mind after reading your post. 🙂
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Good link, Nancy. One of my all-time favouruite songs! ‘And the load doesn’t weigh me down at all…’
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