WORD OF THE WEEK
WHY has Captain (now Colonel) Tom Moore become such a touchstone for our country during this difficult time?
I am sure you would agree that it is because the now centenarian is honouring the NHS, who are saving so many lives.
However, I want to suggest it is also because he represents the hidden hero in every one of us.
I am in contact with a lot of people during this lockdown via social media, video conferencing and the old-fashioned telephone.
Every day I hear stories of quiet heroism in people.
Many of our older folk express such quiet fortitude and thankfulness.
Families, home-schooling children while trying to work from home, speak of opportunities to enjoy their home in ways they have never imagined before; discovering board games that they had not played since Christmas, going on walks together.
Even those who have lost people have found comfort in phone calls from friends, kindness from neighbours who had previously been strangers.
This is not to minimise the pain of loneliness for those on their own, for those grieving, for those who have been furloughed, or made redundant, or are living in reduced circumstances.
Last week the churches of Ashbourne organised to pray 24/7, every hour of every day, for you all.
I see the spark of God in everyone I meet, and it reminds me that the spirit of the war, the spirit of quiet heroism, is not dead in our communities and we will fight on against this darkness and we will prevail.