Witness

Acts 1. 6-9 Ascension Day 2025

Witness

I am witness of your life

A witness to your love

For I have seen you in creation 

I have heard of your fame

I have smelt your fragrance 

I have touched  your Kingdom presence

I have tasted and you are good

My conscience confirms it, and by your power I will be and I will tell of the Truth, wherever and to whom you send all the days that you have given me

For I am witness of your life

A witness to your love 

Teddy Bear

There have been many famous  bears in history

Paddington, Fozzie, and Baloo,

We could also say Yogi, Smokey, Rupert of course

and Pooh Bear, also known as Winnie the Pooh.

They've been loved and lost, tattered and treasured,

Inspired a love of marmalade too.

Now  dear Amelia on your  first birthday

We have a new one, it doesn't growl, 

a gift thats just for you 

It's a special teddy and wants to get to know you 

and spend it's life with you 

It will need lots of love and care

and a name of course, 

you'll  no doubt want to choose

So Happy Birthday little one 

With our love and bear hugs too,

Cause everyone needs a teddy bear

to help them see life through.

VE Day80

 

I shook the hand of Hans the boy who rejoiced at chocolate dropped by parachute during the Dutch Famine.

I talked with Fred, wounded tank crew in Monty's mighty Army.

I kissed the cheek of my mother who kissed Otto a German POW, and welcomed the Americans billeted in the village.

I stood on the spot where my father described St Andrews full of flame in the Bath Blitz.

I watched 'The Darkest Hour', reflecting on the burden Churchill and others carried.

I listened to a son describe the moments before his Nazi father was hung at Nuremberg.

I think about the brave who fought on in the east and the veterans now so few.

I visit the care home for an afternoon tea celebration, where the wartime generation live, flags flying, Vera singing,stories telling,  balloon and poppy  held in equal measure.

I touched this special generation that saw such trauma, their courage, resilience, sacrifice, and the awful price of peace. 

And I listen afresh to birdsong, smell afresh the sweet scent of an early rose, thanking God for them, longing for the day when all wars will cease.