Making the World a Better and Happier Place

Yesterday would have been Queen Elizabeth’s 100^th birthday.

Plans for a memorial to her, featuring a bronze sculpture that will overlook The Mall in central London, were revealed. King Charles spoke reflecting on Queen Elizabeth’s life and the world today.

Quoting fourteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth’s first ever public broadcast, he said that we can each play our part ‘to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place’.

I reflected on yesterday’s conversations…

…Roy has just returned from a trip to the Bayeux War Cemetery in France. It’s been Roy’s ambition for many years. His grandfather died in the Normandy landings and Roy went to find his grave. He was pleased to find it, put flowers on it and take photographs. I wondered whether the sacrifice of so many has made the world a better and happier place.

…Terry’s involved with ‘Hope House’ that provides ‘specialist housing and addiction interventions that help break the chains of chronic substance misuse… helping people rediscover purpose, rebuild identity, and move forward into employment, education, and independent living.’ We talked about folks we know whose worlds have become better and happier because of Hope House.

…Des works at the Seagull Theatre. We talked about the many people who benefit from the weekly groups – the young, the elderly, those with dementia, folks with physical and mental disabilities. Talking about vulnerable children and adults and safeguarding issues… weighing up risks and taking proportional and appropriate precautions… making lives better and happier.

King Charles continued: ‘So young or old, and whatever our differences, let us therefore seek to follow this example as we make today not the marking of a milestone felt by absence but the celebration of a life well-lived, and a legacy of hope, as we strive together towards a ‘better, happier tomorrow’ – one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security.’

This morning I’m musing on lives well lived… a legacy of hope… peace, justice, prosperity and security… the part I should play in making a better, happier tomorrow.