Easter Day

I’m sitting at my desk on what is a cold and slightly chilly spring day looking back on the last week and what I was up to at the same point last year.

It’s been a mixed week.

Bro.’s house fell through at the very last moment; he was meant to complete on Thursday and the money was ready to be transferred when the current owners decided to pull out. Contractually, they can’t, so we’re looking at court action and a long-winded process.

I’ve also been working; I’m doing a placement at Marcher Radio Group as well as trying to prepare for my exam.s, write an essay, prepare for a TV project, plan for the local elections and other such stuff. I’ve been doing full shifts at the radio station. The team provides bulletins for three stations and material for a further two so it’s quite a big operation with only a few staff. I’ve done interviews, attended a Hillsborough memorial service (an interview from which went national) and (you will not believe this) a football press conference. Yep, me, talking about football … I felt very dim. All this has been challenging and interesting but at times I have been left feeling down. Firstly, as it is rather tough to get a job but also as the standards of journalism are not the highest: it’s overly reliant on Vox pops (what can the man on the street add that an expert can’t?), on re-writing press releases (when local news is better when investigation is involved) and poor English. I was told by one girl that ‘you would never say ‘going to’ but instead say ‘gonna’.’ She may have poor diction. I do not.

So, a mixed bag of a week. Yet, today’s Easter Sunday. The families together, I’ve been to church and watched a bit of the BBC’s service ‘He is Risen’ live from Spring Harvest (the Christian Festival in Minehead). It was remarkable. Not only because it featured the modern Hymn Writer, Tim Hughes who looks about twenty. But also as there were literally thousands of young Christians. It made me happy that despite any personal faith issues, there was this huge wave of faith about today. It reminded me of my own confirmation twelve month’s ago yesterday. It reminded me of the journey of faith I’m still trying to follow. It reminded me that the Christian Struggle is worth it.

Suddenly it’s not quite so cold and a bit sunnier outside.

Therefore, in faith and friendship, I say to you, may this joyful day bring you happiness and peace,

CJGx

PS Photos from Daddy’s OBE day are now available on line at:http://galleryjuris.fotopic.net/