John Christie

Many of us not believe that the last 9 days news headlines would be dominated by a war, not in Europe's doorstep, but inside its boarders, our disbelief heightened when diplomacy failed, then division began, resistance do the invader organised.

I was listen to BBC Scotland over the weekend and heard the presenter say, “It’s only the middle of January, and already there’s enough news to last for few month.” I doubt anyone would disagree with that, wether it’s national or international, or local news, alas not all of it good, it affect each and every one of us.

While the count down is almost over, by end of today, the pre-Xmas preparation will likely be completed, soon patient meticulous preparation energised by rising excitement, and I suspect, no little anxiety will mark tomorrow. I’m not referring the Santa who slide with his team of reindeers, I’m referring to those who have build James Web telescope named after the formal NASA administrator for the moon landing half a century ago.

I imaging many if not all of us have had cause to be reflective during the pandemic, especially when we look forward to Xmas and NewYear. Nearly 2 years on and all we have been through, it’s a natural reaction, we have our own stories, to tell our own experience of living through the pandemic which has stung our lives upside down.

Yeas ago I passed driver's test which allows me to drive buses of all kinds, it opens the door to many several holidays in weekends as a driver for companies in Glasgow, it brought my youthful mind that no too people that are the same. This was fascinating, the routes didn't change much, but the colour and interests comes from the rich variety of people I encountered on the daily basis. Following those years I later volunteered to drive coach for a charity for disabled people. We had, I recall, one of two memorable adventures but mostly my memories are of can do attitude of those disabled, and in some cases, profoundly handicapped. Without realising I discovered a life long interest which continued as a teacher, latterly a minister.

We're living in interesting times, I'm sure you don't need me to remind you of that, especially at 7:23 in morning. Pandemic has touched all of us, perhaps it's only when circumstances begin to ease, we discover precisely what we have missed during restrictions, families, friends, freedom, community. And as friend said the other day, singing together.

When I was preparing thought for the day a year ago, which has became the first thought of lockdown in an unprecedented year in peacetime. Over night, the freedom we took for granted ceased, we were forced to live differently, each of us has a story to tell, I guess that, even as I speak, your story maybe forming in backdrop to my words. There will be sorrow, sadness, separation, there will be resilience and endurance, and the long slog to suppress Corona virus until arrival of life saving vaccines.