Yeah, you’re right.
That doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, when compared with Peaches & Herbs singing, “Reunited and it feels so good”. Nevertheless it did feel so good, while on holiday near Whakatāne last week, to recreate a photo of my mother—from something like 40 years ago. She died last year, on the 1st October, and this was the photo displayed at the front of the church for the service.
It is so full of joy and beauty, health and fun—isn’t it?
Me being me, from the time of the funeral I had my heart set on visiting the exact spot and taking more photos. A friend and former colleague, Rachel Murray, knew the place and sent it to me…
… and so it came to pass that on the first available day, I was off to find the spot and to check the tides for the most accurate time for a photo. Believe it or not, later that very same day the women in the family, younger and older, graciously agreed to have their photo taken, including…
Great-granddaughters
Granddaughters
(with another great granddaughter in the 2nd photo—and a great grandson slipping into the 3rd one!).
Daughter
Strictly-speaking, she is a daughter-in-law—but Barby loved mum and was loved by mum as if each were their own.
In the days to come I look forward to other granddaughters—you know who you are!—supplying the photos that are missing from this collection…
nice chatting
Paul
PS: Incidentally, the narrow stretch of water in the foreground of these photos is the very same channel that features in the Netflix documentary about the 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption—The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari. The boats which carried the victims back to shore came through these waters…
About Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
Recent Posts
John Stott was the first one to help me see the tension in Jesus’ teaching on salt and light. They are pictures for how his disciples are to live in society. Salt pulls them in, keeping them involved. Light holds them back, keeping them distinctive. Being light responds to ‘the danger of worldliness’, while being…
Just when I thought that it could not be possible to have another first-hand account of the impact of John Stott’s life (d. 2011), along comes this book by his close friend, John Wyatt. I am always ready to learn more about John Stott, but also about friendship. It fascinates me. It keeps coming up…
Reading stories to grandchildren over Christmas reminded me again of how powerful they can be. They are so compact and simple in presentation, and yet so clever in construction. There are just so many features at work in an effective story. It is some years since I taught narrative preaching, but when I did I’d…
Splendid! And what a lovely day you had. Beautiful clouds but sunny.
Well worth the trip!
How neat!
Great photos – Great family !!! Bob T
Thanks, Uncle Bob — and Heather and Boz as well.
Photos to cherish, that is for sure.