This morning I was reading Isaiah… well-known ‘Christmas’ verses about the Messiah who will come – ‘A virgin will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, God with us.’ ‘He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’
Less well-known verses about Isaiah’s own son: ‘The Lord said to me, ‘Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz,’ meaning ‘Swift to the spoil, quick to the plunder.’ Israel was invaded and conquered by Assyria who removed Israel’s wealth, exiled many of her people, and obliterated their national identity.
The names of two boys: Immanuel is good news, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz is bad news: Good news, bad news, side by side.
Tracey’s a single mum, a born worrier with a degenerative illness. She’s managing to stay pretty well, but sometimes life’s a struggle. Yesterday, Tracey told me about recent tests that could bring good news or bad news…
Tracey explained that she had been helped by ‘Schrödinger’s cat’: A cat is in a sealed box. The cat could be dead or alive. You only knew which, when the box is opened. Tracey’s future health is unknown. She will intentionally leave it in the box unopened.
As I understand it, Schrödinger’s cat is an analogy explaining some complex quantum physics idea; it helps Tracey hold potential good news and bad news side by side.
The church’s Gorleston Foodbank supports 450 families; there’s youth activities, bereavement support, provision for the elderly and vulnerable; 180 people attend community groups…
Reverend Matthew Price, vicar of St Mary Magdalene, talked about making a difference and changing lives: ‘The £2.5 million figure isn’t about putting a price on kindness or compassion… when local churches support families, tackle loneliness, care for young people and provide practical help, it creates real value for the whole community.’
Bad news – poverty, bereavement, loneliness alongside good news – kindness, compassion and active support.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Not exactly Schrödinger’s cat but I have a philosophical belief that I sometimes bore people with.
I believe that whatever I say is history. Those words do not exist in the ether, only in our memory. Therefore, I have said to Julie and my two daughters that, if and when I die, words I’ve spoken will still be relevant. Similarly, the sight of each other is just a memory. Whether the person is alive somewhere or not. We live our lives reacting to historical events.
And for this reason, I believe that life can go on after death. If Julie dies before me I will, hopefully, keep her alive by remembering the things she said, the clothes she wore and the millions of memories I will have of her.
I also have a rather cynical feeling that when we miss someone it can be a selfish act.
I know that if Julie died before me one of the things I would miss is being able to turn to her when we have seen something or watched something on TV and saying “that was good” or “that was a loud of rubbish”. It feels a wee bit self-pitying put like this doesn’t it?
I have to say my heart goes out to Tracey. I think a lot of us who have so far not had that awful news from our GP will resort to her Schrödinger’s cat view.
I also have to write that your Musings often make me review some of my feelings about life Malcolm
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Thanks, Alan. I’ve been reflecting on two pieces of information or two opinions that may be contradictory that I can put in a box and leave unopened. It has certainly helped Tracey… and it saves speculating, worrying, or jumping to unhelpful conclusions.
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