Back To School

The Summer is over, the chance to manage my own time has gone, the routine has kicked back in. I am at the end of my second Pre term Week. Last week we did a module on marriage issues. It was a really peculiar place to be as I fell between the two states, neither married nor truly single. I could relate to some of it and not to others. Ironically the week we discussed it was the week of what would have been my 21st wedding anniversary. I wonder how different life would be if Julian hadn't died.

Week 2 held the thrills of youth work. I am relieved to discover that I don't need to have the zany hyperactivity of a Saturday morning children's entertainer to have a chance to succeed and that there are lots of resources out there to help me cope that don't involve copious quantities of Valium! It has been one of those weeks that need time to inwardly digest but the more I heard the term "unchurched" the more uncomfortable I became with it in the youth work context at least. I prefer "unsupported by the church" as it has less of a them and us feel to it and seems to draw gentler boundaries. Unchurched almost suggests blame for the condition to me but I feel that more often people do not realise that they can gain support for this life through the Christian community if it fulfils its true purpose. Unspoken and unconditional support that does not necessarily require initial contact to be so conformist.

Jess is readjusting to life as a student and all that suddenly losing a full time job entails. Jonathan is mooching through life and playing hockey. We have just discovered that he can do one of his work experience modules with the Gardai in the West of Ireland, courtesy of my brother.
Mum is progressing well and leaves hospital on Monday after 3 and a half months. I hope and pray that things settle down well with the new care schedule and it allows her to remain at home in the long term.

Thats about all folks, the postings will be sporadic but I hope to continue them. Even if I'm the only one reading them!