The passing away of Prince Philip this week, though not a total surprise, stirred some unexpected emotions. He had always been there as part of the national landscape. But it was very interesting to discover all the things I didn’t know. Someone called it a life well lived. So, what is a life “well-lived”?
Service is definitely part of it, particularly when born of love and care. Serving others is hard work. Some service is in public but much of it is hidden. Unseen by all but a few and God. You will think of many true servants. I remember meeting people like Pastor Douglas in Iraq working hard to create a family community for displaced refugees in Iraq despite his own traumas; of a lady visiting remote villages in Vietnam to bring teaching and hope at substantial personal risk. Lifes well-lived.
My OS maps have arrived; the one on the left shows part of the Pilgrims Way in Kent; the other includes the route to the top of Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds. Part of the preparations for events next month. I have also been preparing more questions around the 60 theme for the quiz which I hope to type up this week. It has taken a long time but hopefully I am making progress.
Below are a couple of photos I took while on a practice walk today. It’s lovely to see Spring. And also a picture of my daughter’s old piggyback that sits on the shelf next to my work desk. A reminder that every little action (and amount) accumulates to make a big difference..