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This above all; to thine own self be true. 
William Shakespeare

THE PARISH LUNCH  ~ 3rd FEBRUARY 2016

6/2/2016

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Picture
"SNOWDROPS' ~ Image © Copyright John and Margaret
THE PARISH LUNCH
by John Yeo

   About fifty people gathered together to enjoy a meal in The Dormy House Hotel, this a thriving establishment overlooking the sea on the outskirts of West Runton in Norfolk. People began arriving on foot and by car, in good time, dressed in lunchtime finery. Many overcoats hats and scarves were in evidence as the wind was biting and the temperatures were in the low single figures. With ample parking space at the rear, just a short walk from the entrance, a superb lunch was promised by the aroma of food emanating from the building as we made our way to the entrance.
   At the entrance to the restaurant, with a smile and a greeting of welcome stood Dr May, the organist and musical director of Holy Trinity Church. As the organiser, he welcomed everybody individually and recorded their presence by ticking their names off on a list. Coats were discarded and hung on the many available hooks and there was an impressive coat stand. Pre-dinner drinks were consumed as the diners whetted their appetites for the feast.
   The appointed time arrived and at a signal from the organiser, we all began to file into the well prepared restaurant. The tables were set up in readiness, five long tables set up to seat twelve people on each. The staff here at the Dormy are always friendly and efficient with a welcoming smile.
  We walked passed the carvery, displaying the meats available for our lunch. A large joint of Beef a joint of Gammon, with a Turkey Breast Crown, waiting and ready for carving. We took our seats. The table positions reflected the wishes of the diners, as people who wished to dine with each other, simply sat together. When everyone was comfortably seated, the Rector welcomed everyone and said Grace.
   The waitresses served a uniform starter of tasty Parsnip soup and croutons. Bottles of cold water were placed on the tables for liquid refreshment. Soon an orderly queue of diners were lined up, table by table ordering their main course. A friendly personable chef was carving the meats, and an excellent array of vegetables and gravy was available.
   There was a ripple of continuous conversation from the diners, as everyone tucked into their meals, a great deal of general catching up of Parish affairs, and much friendly enjoyment of a happy congenial occasion.  When the main course was consumed and the dishes were cleared away, the waitresses delivered the dessert menu’s, a tempting selection of dishes designed to finish an excellent meal, by leaving a sweet taste on the palate.
   Sitting back with a feeling of contented satiation, it was time for a welcome cup of tea or coffee to finish off an excellent companionable meal and give thanks for a splendid lunch.
   A discreet offertory bag was passed around from table to table, the diners placed tips for the waitresses and staff inside, with gratitude for an excellent service.
  Thanks were extended to the staff by Dr May for a wonderful meal. Finally the Rector, thanked Dr May for organising this splendid Parish lunch, bringing everyone together.
  Then the  members of the community slowly left the venue. Many worthy parishioners, (myself included), would sleep the sleep of the contented later this afternoon.
Some of our lady dining companions would be attending a pre-arranged Mother’s meeting later this afternoon, at St Andrew's Church, possibly stifling contented yawns from the after effects of a heavy lunch.

   This afternoon’s meal was an illustration of the congregations of two village churches, comprising the parish of Runton, bringing people together from several nearby towns and communities to enjoy a friendly dining experience.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved


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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS  ~ 30th January 2016

1/2/2016

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"Pink Flamingo's" Image © Copyright ~ John and Margaret
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS
by John Yeo

  The more I think about life in general, the more I become aware of the ingrained symbiosis that permeates our lives at all levels. The employee that is in a symbiotic relationship with an employer is a prime example of symbiosis, each is dependant on the other and the relationship is beneficially dependant on both sides. The employer derives the results of the employee’s input and labour to further his business interests, and becomes symbiotically dependant. On the other side of this symbiotic relationship the employee is totally dependent on the employer to pay him a living wage for the benefit of his input. Both sides of the relationship are symbiotic and beneficial to the lives of each other.
   Our personal relationships are another example of the symbiotic nature of humanity. Many people get married or live with their partner in a symbiotic relationship that is thoroughly steeped in symbiosis. Each partner of a successful relationship brings much to each other in the form of love, respect, admiration, and support. They live together, learn to love one another, and in many cases stand shoulder to shoulder together, by confroningt everything that that is thrown up to destroy their symbiotic relationship. Children of the symbiotic union do much to cement the symbiosis and can add strength to the symbiotically joined people until the time arrives when they fledge their wings and develop a symbiotic relationship with a partner of their own.

   There is another fragile example of a symbiosis that can lead to much hurt and suffering. People who are unaware that the ongoing friendly, perhaps taken for granted relationship, has slowly but surely developed into a symbiotic dependency that is vulnerable and can be just as hurtful. Perhaps between a single parent and their child or perhaps children who spend many years merging together with the parent, the symbiotic dependence on each other grows, without their awareness or understanding. This is a vulnerable relationship that is always doomed to bring a shock as one or other of the parties to the symbiosis is suddenly gone, irrevocably ripped away by death. Realisation sets in slowly. The  life of the surviving person has hugely altered and a replacement symbiosis is virtually impossible to attain due to the impossibility of trying to  replace a person who was so close over many years.
   Dangers can arise as loneliness can set in, this is a modern curse in our now sadly closed society, where people take their pleasures in the electronic privacy of their homes and rarely cross the threshold to make new friends. There are many shades of vulnerability, some develop a carapace and become too isolated and wary of others to fight.
   At this sad time many people take refuge in religion and seek comfort in the family of the church, trying desperately to relate and take some comfort and control of their now empty lives.     Finding their own way, re-gaining self confidence and meeting other people, as their faith develops, encouraging their strength to return in the shelter of the words of comfort that are gradually healing the wounds.

Copyright  ©  Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

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