Highlighting the needy with Anthony Bernard.

After six years of writing for The Journal, I hope readers will indulge some personal thoughts. 

First a great big thank you to so many friends and casual acquaintances who have added to perceptions that have gone into these columns, especially EDDC staff clearing up rubbish left by thoughtless people the night before. 

They all share a clear and balanced message on the society in which we live - many retired from responsible indoor jobs, but enjoying a more energetic outdoor life helping the area. 

Old age brings a different perspective.  A college reunion reminded us all that whatever we may have achieved, especially some who have been captains of industry with knighthoods to prove it, everything comes back to the same human values.   

We measure ourselves by age, how long we have lived and how long we still have to live.  Yet more significant is what we will do with the rest of our life, which boils down to what can we do today, next week and beyond which will make a difference! 

The food bank, originally the Exmouth Community Larder, prompted The Journal asking me to write.  Volunteering there makes an easy answer on doing something to make a difference, as well as people making donations who are equally vital!  The latest Food Bank report shows donations falling off, but a lull during summer has been a regular pattern, prior to supplies pouring in during harvest festivals with another big surge at Christmas. 

More recently the by-line changed to "highlighting the needy".  The column keeps off politics, but it is disappointing that we have a left wing government but with needy people still not receiving their focus!  Affordable housing to buy or rent, the care sector, mental health, special needs education and other areas all need attention more urgently than unionised groups.  The really needy are not unionised, and staff that do care could earn more in retail or hospitality. "We the people" need to look after them, both as volunteers and voters! 

Looking back on a long busy life there is a pattern that was not evident while it was happening.  This confirms my suspicion that we are not alone and the Heavenly Host is guiding us more than we realise.  Christians talk about guardian angels, atheists look to the spirit of the planet.  My observation is that nothing is as random as it may seem; modern science with "chaos theory" supports this! 

With all the world in turmoil, what is the Heavenly Host thinking?  Have they given up guiding leaders and are planning more drastic action?  Icelandic volcanoes have shown their ability to shut down air travel because jet engines cannot handle volcanic dust.  A more catastrophic event would be Mount Etna in Sicily exploding, with a Mediterranean tsunami washing Israeli seaside villas about 50 miles into the Dead Sea, 500 metres below sea level.  "Land between the river and the sea" would no longer be in contention!    

So we must continue doing the best we can with the issues we can reach, while 150 year old sewage pipes wait for our roads to be dug up to replace them!   My final thought, which may challenge some religious readers, is from the young hero of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  "It all will come right in the end; if it isn't right, we have not yet reached the end".