Joy and Sadness Together

‘…A time to weep and a time to laugh…’

Sometimes we weep; sometimes we laugh; sometimes the two come together.

Yesterday the Infected Blood Inquiry’s report was published, concluding that thousands of victims were repeatedly failed by the NHS and successive governments – after being infected with HIV and hepatitis C.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered a ‘whole-hearted’ apology to the victims of the infected blood scandal. The report suggests evidence of a cover-up. Details of a compensation scheme are expected today.

There was joy: the report is finally published, cover-up is admitted, there’s was an apology, compensation will be paid. There’s huge sadness for years of suffering, lives that have been lost, that victims had been failed repeatedly by doctors, the government the NHS.

This morning I was reading the story of Ezra. Exiled Jews have returned to Jerusalem. They’re rebuilding the temple that lies in ruins. They set to work with energy and enthusiasm: ‘With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord, ‘He is good; his love to Israel endures for ever.’

However, older folks could remember the former temple; they started weeping: ‘No one could distinguish the sound of joy from the sound of weeping.’

On Sunday we joined with my brother Bryan and his family, celebrating as he led his final service in the church that he has served in for many years. We met with his family again yesterday.

There was lots of laughter and good memories, good family news to catch up with. We enjoyed meeting Bryan’s children, grandchildren, Bryan’s first great-grandchild; a granddaughter’s wedding is being planned for the summer…

And yet… Behind much of the joy there is a sadness. Bryan’s wife Stephanie sadly died a few years ago, and the thought ‘Stehanie would have enjoyed…’ ‘Mum would have said…’ was there in the background. Sometimes words were said, often there was a family understanding…

‘…A time to mourn, and a time to dance…’

 Sometimes we have one or the other; sometimes the two come together…