Enjoying life.

I was phoned yesterday by a young lad I know who lives some miles from the hospital. He wouldn’t usually bother me, so I wondered what serious problem had arisen for him or his family. Instead he was phoning to give me good news – his cow had just delivered a calf and he wanted to share the good news with me.

Sharing good news is a fun thing to do – seeing pleasure on another’s face, or indeed in their whole body is greatly encouraging. As a Northern Ireland man, I fear that I am more programmed to hold good news tightly, and not want to be seen enjoying life and its blessings too much. I suspect that when asked how I’m doing, I’m probably more likely to reply ‘Okay’ or ‘not bad’ than ‘absolutely fantastic!’

Not to say that I think we should pretend all is great when it isn’t, but I reflect that it would be a rare occasion for me to phone a friend with good news – indeed in common parlance now thanks to Mr Tarrant, ‘phone a friend’ is what we do when we just need help in a particularly awkward situation.

While looking out of the latrine at the weekend I noticed a large bird perched on the hedge. An eagle was preening while I was emptying my bladder. He was a majestic creature, and I was amused to be encouraged by noticing him at such a moment. In Uganda nature is particularly striking in its’ wanton displays for us. But wherever we are in the world we can take pleasure in simple things, and share such moments to encourage others. Not to say that we should despise more complex things (I eagerly await my space shuttle flight for my 80th birthday) but they should not eclipse our pleasure in the simple.

So why not share good news today?

My good news to share – the little girl Nabassa with TB is getting better.

Bye for now

Rory