I’ve heard more about that terrible hit-and run. Nigel the curate is dealing with it brilliantly, and the family are coping astonishingly well.
Nigel was on local TV last evening and was fantastic. He said that the family are not blaming anyone and bear no grudge against the hit-and-run driver. In fact, the family’s faith is being strengthened. For each of them, there was some small coincidence prior to Kath’s accident, which in some way began to prepare them for what was to come. For instance, the eldest daughter was at a party on Christmas Eve, but for some unknown reason decided not to drink. This was unheard of – like all youngsters, she always enjoys a drink at a party. But on this occasion, she was ready to drive when the phone call about her mother came through. And there was something of that nature for each member of the family.
The witness to Christ is something amazing to see. Nigel held a special communion for the family on Sunday morning, and their strength and fortitude is humbling.
As a result of such generosity of spirit which came through so clearly in Nigel’s broadcast, the hit-and-run driver has come forward. he walked into the nearest police station and gave himself up. This means that the funeral can be arranged much more quickly, giving some relief to the family.
Not a good way to start 2010, but without denying the pain and awfulness, they are using a terrible tragedy and allowing God to convert it into something which is beautiful.
The ways and love and care of God never cease to amaze me.
We had a lovely Christmas with Al and Bx who stayed the night.
Yesterday the four of us ventured into Norwich (yes, crazy, I know. The roads were heaving, what with the start of the sales and Norwich City playing at home – they won) to the pictures – sorry, cinema. Showing my age again.
We went to see Avatar in 3D. they give you these glasses – just like sunglasses – which you wear for the film. It was absolutely stunning, for all the family – indeed, all the cinema – except me. Me? Within half an hour I was acutely suffering from motion sickness and vertigo, and had to go out. I returned after five minutes or so, but kept my eyes firmly closed for the remainder of the film, in order to survive intact. I was fine as soon as I got home again.
Then came the really awful news, from Nigel the curate (remember Nigel?) He’d left a message on the answer phone to say that there had been a hit-and-run in one of our small Norfolk villages, and the victim was a staunch and central church member. She was rushed to hospital but critically ill with serious head injuries, and on Christmas Day the family agreed that the life support should be switched off.
I still can’t come to terms with it all. Imagine how that family must be feeling. Thank goodness they have a very strong faith, which will see them through.
But I worry too about the driver who fled the scene. he or she is likely to be local/ When he or she is found and apprehended by the police, how will the village react to that? And since the victim was very central to the village as well as the church, it’s highly likely that the victim will be know to the perpetrator. What terrible, terrible guilt that person must be carrying.
I received this email from a friend – one of those that circulate around the internet, so you may well have already had it. But if not, enjoy!
God.com
Every single evening
As I’m lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:
God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
And safe from harm
For they’re so close to me..
And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don’t mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.
Now I know that it’s unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you…
You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.
I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.
By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew..
Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That’s filled with so much love.
Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits ‘send’.
When you update your Heavenly list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer
Sent up to GOD.Com
A very happy Christmas to all my online friends.
Paul our rector popped in on Saturday, so I suggested that I took the service at the smaller church and he took the service at the larger church – he lives within walking distance of that one. He thought that was a good idea since it saved two cars sliding and skidding up the narrow county hill.
I decided to walk to church. it’s a mile and a half away, but I like walking in the snow. In the end, though, the churchwarden rang me and said he would give me a lift as he has a four by four. Makes a big difference, and it gripped the road with ease.
To my amazement, there was a congregation of ten, mostly elderly and mostly having driven to church through the snow. The church looked stunning as there was a carol service in the afternoon (yes, they all turned out twice in the day!) and we had a good time together.
Today – after more snow last night – I only ventured round the corner to the local shop a couple of times. We are fortunate, since we have power. Some parts of the county have had no power, and hence no heat, for four days.
Imagine four days shivering in a duvet, without even a cup of tea to warm you! Misery indeed.
Well, not a lot by your standards, but a creditable three inches or so. Enough for the first ten minutes of the news, and enough to cause complete chaos on the roads, close factories and schools and leave people stranded in the Channel Tunnel for eight hours, as they returned from Euro-Disney with their small children.
So you see, it’s complete joy here in the UK at the fall of the first flake. Mind you, it’s not all bad. The kids are having a rare whale of a time with sledges and snowballs and snowmen, and I too have thoroughly enjoyed walking through the snow in my boots.
Tomorrow may be interesting as I have to drive uphill, on a narrow country lane which will never see any grit or a snowplough, to reach church, where I’m supposed to be preaching. Not that I expect any congregation, since we’re all being advised not to venture forth except for essential journeys.
Oh, to be in England now that winter’s here…