The Second Coming

Mum and Dad are coming for lunch today. They're coming over to see Emily and Lucas before the two American passport holders go back. It's funny how you get used to people being around. I shall miss them when they are gone, but they'll be back I'm sure.

Meanwhile everything else is changing. Just one month left at The Alexandra Practice and I'm looking forward to the move. I can't stomach being in the same room as my current 'partners'. I really don't think they understand how easy I have made it for them.

Yesterday was Steve Raw's 60th birthday celebration, so we all trekked up to Crowden for a picnic. It was raining of course, but cold and windy too. Just as I remember it, and just like those days camping out in Mull. Ah, happy days. There were lots of people, considering the weather, all linked in one way or another to each other. Apparently Lucas didn't like the cold, so as soon as the birthday cake had been lit and the song sung we came home. I didn't mind either, anything to get away from TJG and his smarming presence. I think I may have said goodbye to the Men's Group for the same reason. As soon as we left the sun came out. Perhaps we missed something momentous through our lack of faith and goose pimples, but I doubt it.

On Thursday night I attended a meeting of the Didsbury Lefties. I don't know if that's really what they're called, but they have been meeting for years and are ex-academics and lecturers mainly.
The house was a good sized Didsbury semi. We gathered in the kitchen then moved into the lounge. The chairs were placed in a circle and we all sat down. It had the feel of a prayer group, like people waiting and preparing for the Second Coming.
We did a double act, Martin and I. He is the Director and sole employee of the Socialist Medical Movement, and he gave his thoughts on the NHS reforms. Well, until I suggested we perhaps moved into the twenty first century.
I told the assembled about the good stuff we have been doing in Central Manchester, and that co-operation was working despite their scepticism. They wanted to know why, if the changes were so good, was there so much opposition to them from the profession. I pointed out that the BMA has opposed every change including the very inception of the beloved socialist NHS.
In the end they seemed to have enjoyed the discussion, and I had too. They're hardly a bunch of militants. In fact I think I might start going to their meetings myself, as their youth policy.

Talking of prayer groups, I was on the Emmanuel 6.15 congregation annual weekend away, last weekend. It was good. We even had a barn dance. The new vicar is obviously wanting to make his mark and take the congregation forward. We had prayers and Eucharist etc and also his vision of where we might go. We all considered his suggestions prayerfully and agreed, like the good sheep we are, to head in that direction. That direction is to try to become more like a community of the early church. More supportive of each other and more socially cohesive, instead of just turning up on a Sunday and going away again. The early church also lived their lives as I imagine an egalitarian commune might. They also expected the return of Jesus anytime. Like the old Commies are waiting in their front room for the second coming of their Messiah.

Perhaps it is time for the Second Coming, after all. Or is it already here?