Only connect

This month we’ve both been getting our eyes sorted. Barbara had a successful laser treatment to correct a cataract operation of some years ago. Tony hopes to have a second cataract operation soon.

Meanwhile we try not to be overwhelmed by the world's ills and ‘wickedness.’ We’ve often argued for the Christian values that lead us to care about “justice, peace and the integrity of creation.” [1]

But here we want to share something personal. Thanks to the wheelchair ramp we can now sit together in the garden on the bench and in the wheelchair. Recently on a bright and coldish afternoon we did this.

Afterwards we were talking about the disproportionate pleasure we get from this new activity. It is especially important to us given our 60 plus years of life together and our current limitations. Barbara said of the garden experience: “it makes me feel connected.”

Tony thought ‘only connect.’ And, thanks to the Google search engine, found his way back to Leeds University and E M Forster’s words – “only connect prose and passion and both will be exalted [‘Howard’s End’ 1910].”

It made us think beyond prose [as thought and outer practical experience] and passion [as inner passionate, emotional life].

We realise how much we need - [1] special spaces and places [2] our very own special person and people [3] our singular understanding of ‘prose and passion’ if we are to be, (however variously described), whole, non-violent, caring humans.

[1] See for example - us in our current Loughton Methodist Church magazine on ‘the media and daily life’ – www.loughtonmethodist.org.uk/connect