Mustn’t Grumble

I’m gradually playing through my CD collection… through the Bs – Bach, Beach Boys, Beatles… to the Cs – Johnny Cash… Yesterday it was Chas and Dave. I smiled a their old song ‘Mustn’t Grumble’. The principle is so British:

Mustn’t grumble, don’t worry ’bout nothin’ my friend
Mustn’t grumble, ’cause all’s well that’s well in the end

I particularly enjoyed this verse:

I came home from work, there was firemen about
They said “we couldn’t save it, your house has burnt down”
Mustn’t grumble, mustn’t grumble
I said “that’s all right, don’t worry mate,
‘Cause the bathroom needed painting, it weren’t half in a state”
Mustn’t grumble, mustn’t grumble.

Last night I had a dream. Wife-Rachel and I have been walking for a long time in an unfamiliar town. We stop at a busy café. Rachel sits at a table outside; I go in to buy coffee. Observing lovely cakes and pastries, I join the queue. Local people are chatting but ignoring me. I’m calm. Mustn’t grumble.

I reach the front of the queue. Other people come in, get served. The shop’s empty. I’m the last remaining customer, but still ignored. I’ve been waiting over half an hour. Mustn’t grumble? I’m angry. I shout at the proprietor and leave.

Then I woke up, still really angry!

On Tuesday I visited three friends in hospital. I left sad but glad…

…Sad because if the randomness of illness. They’re ill in hospital; I’m relatively fit. Their illness is undeserved. …Sad because some of my friends’ illnesses can’t be, won’t be cured. ‘Mustn’t grumble’ seems so superficial.

…Glad because I enjoy their friendship. …Glad because on each of the three wards I visited, I met caring staff who were going about their work with sensitive humour,  skill-full professionalism and consistent kindness and compassion.

Somehow ‘mustn’t grumble’ was lifted beyond a passive acceptance of the unpleasant and inevitable, to an enthusiastic engagement with all that life throws at us, with infectious, loving, joyful action.