Our community has once again been rocked by death this week. Maureen Bretherton, our Guidance Counsellor, passed away suddenly on Tuesday and a staff member lost their father the very same evening. It is common at funeral services to say “In the midst of life we are in death” but the fragility of life has never seemed more evident than it has to many of us this year. It is easy to get caught up with the minutiae – the daily moans and groans about how hard done by we are and the arguing, niggling and griping which can be commonplace in some settings. We would do well to remember that our words to anyone we come into contact with may have a profound impact on them in ways we could never be aware of. Choose your words carefully on each and every occasion. Remember The Three Gates of Speech before you say anything. “Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates. At the first gate, ask yourself, ‘Is it true?’ At the second gate ask, ‘Is it necessary?’ At the third gate ask, ‘Is it kind?’ If the answer to these three questions cannot be an unequivocal “Yes” then it would be better to say nothing at all. It is a delusion to think we can like everyone we come into contact with but as sentient, intelligent beings we can at the very least be polite and respectful. We should also practise being more thankful in our everyday lives. “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgive one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians, 4:32.
Maureen’s funeral is being held in Dunedin and in lieu of flowers, her family have asked for donations to Organ Donation New Zealand. We will be coordinating this through the School Office, so if you would like to make a donation please send it in in an envelope before next Friday 25 August.
Take time this weekend to appreciate what you already have, not waste time worrying about what you don’t have; enjoy the simple things in life – a home; family and friends who love and care for you; food on the table; the beautiful natural setting of the Wellington and Porirua areas; good health; freedom in so many ways, and life itself, for it is priceless.
Anne Winnall