It Is Him!

Yesterday morning, at ‘Music for Wellbeing’, everyone, including Paul, sung ‘Any Dream Will Do’ from ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ with enthusiasm and enjoyment.

Earlier Paul had told me that next week he’s going into hospital for surgery to remove a lump from his chest. Any dream will do? Paul has a specific dream – that the surgery will be successful in removing all of the lump.

The success-full hope of ‘Any Dream Will Do’ is Paul.

Yesterday evening, at Fabba’s ‘Fabba Box’, Michael sung ‘My Way’. Fabba, a theatre company for adults with learning disabilities, presented their version of the TV show Goggle Box. The publicity said the show was ‘chaotic, cozy, and completely hilarious’. It was.

Michael has significant disabilities. We’ve watched him perform for many years. Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ is strong and confident. Michael’s ‘My Way’ celebrates being Michael with courage and pride.

The shame-less individuality of ‘My Way’ is Michael.

Yesterday afternoon, at David’s life-celebration, we heard the story of ‘The Good Samaritan’. We heard about David’s life in the Royal Navy and fire service, his devotion to his family and his faith, his love of sport and his sense of humour.

We remembered David’s quiet kindness, generous hospitality, reliable support. To David the Good Samaritan wasn’t just an interesting Sunday School story or Jesus’ moral tale for our instruction, it was an example that David lived out.

The self-less kindness of ‘The Good Samaritan’ was, still is, David.

This morning, at my dining table, I’m reflecting on advice from my Bible: ‘Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,’ Yesterday, at the service celebrating David’s life, these words were rightly said to be true of David.

It would be good if this speak-less listening is me too.

This morning I’m musing on, seeking to learn from, praying that I will display more of, Paul’s success-full hope, Michael’s shame-less individuality, David’s self-less kindness… and Malcolm’s speak-less listening.