There has been a lot said in recent years about various types of dementia, and its effects on the person and their relatives and friends. Politicians and economists talk about the costs of treatment and, of course, campaigners and charities have their say. We also hear that lifestyle, dieting and supplements can prevent or delay its onset but, that as average life expectancy rises, so too will the numbers with dementia. We heard the same message from the pulpit recently when the speaker talked of its effect on others, but did not dwell on the turmoil that must be going on in someone’s head when they themselves, detect what they fear may be early symptoms.
We know that as we age, our ability to quickly and accurately recall data from storage slows down. This may worry some people but others will recognise that the longer we live the more data there is to recall.
In the fifties there were dozens of books under the title, Teach Yourself, including one on, ‘How to Improve Your Memory’. These books were derided by the intelligentsia of the day but proved hugely popular with ordinary folks who were given the words and meanings, with which to challenge those intellectuals who believed themselves superior to the rest of us. They really believed they knew what the ‘plebeians’ were thinking and then proceeded to instruct them in what they should be thinking. Incidentally, such folk are still around today posing as the PC brigade, and making laws to stop us thinking the things they think we are thinking. (If only they really knew what we are thinking!)
But back to our failing memories: My wife and I test ourselves most mornings by tackling the Daily Telegraph Word Wheel and nearly always we find the nine letter word and beat their target. What we also find is that, whatever or whoever sets the ‘Wheel,’ it is unaware of many words used in the agricultural and manufacturing industries. An example being, Flyte or Flite; which is the dust created during fibre spinning, and which settles on ceilings, light fittings, lungs and everywhere else.
Little tests of memory help to keep the brain ticking over, but unnecessarily worrying about a memory lapse can make things worse. After all, worry does not achieve anything except to weary the brain and, because it arises out of feelings of inadequacy, worry reinforces negative impulses. Concern on the other hand is based on an assumption that we are able to change a situation.
As Reinhold Niebuhr a US theologian said, “Lord, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”. It follows therefore that there is no point in worrying if one cannot change anything and, that if one can change something then do it!
Like many people around here, my wife and I are concerned for the future of the Parish churches. Various groups of people by dint of office or invitation have been asked to look at the situation with the Interim Rector. As I am not one of those people, I wrote twice to the Bishop setting out a number of points I felt had been inadequately considered in published documents and during public meetings. My letters were acknowledged by one of her staff but no mention was made of any of the substantive issues raised. I guess my suggestions were too innovative and radical in that they called for changes in the way the diocesan authorities behaved towards the benefice. On the other hand the Bishop may have assumed that the points would emerge during further meetings. In which case, I encourage readers to give the church wardens and treasurers their suggestions and write directly to the Bishop at Church House. College Green GL1 2LY themselves.
Such letters are important, because I have been told that the Interim Rector has already said that, “A course has been set and that ‘only options which go in that direction’ will be considered”. As that direction is towards two fully supported churches, two/three closures and with clergy sporadically visiting the remainder, my wife and I cannot support it. However we shall not ‘worry’ about that. We will however remain ‘concerned’ that weekly worship is available in those places the diocese will neglect in the future.
Although I usually end this column on a jocular note, this month I will end it with another quotation from my Great Uncle George, a Methodist preacher whose belief in the actual words of Jesus led him to him being ostracised for most of his life, because he was a Conscientious Objector during the Great War.
As a lad, I accompanied Great Uncle on many of his preaching assignments and I quoted one of his sayings to Bishop Treweek.
“You may see further from the top of the tree,
But it’s the roots that make it possible.”
View from the Pew 