This blog posting signals the end of ‘the long silence’!  

The more mature (older!) of you may recall that in 1967 The Tremeloes had a Top Ten hit in both US and UK with Silence is Golden. I suspect it was popular more for its catchy chorus than any profound truth in the lyrics.

I was interested to discover the origin and history of the notion that ‘Silence is Golden’. Some attribute its origins as far back as ancient Egypt. There is repeated reference to it being but part of a longer Swiss inscription Sprechen ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden (Speech is silver, Silence is golden).

If that inscription is true in all circumstances, then in the last few weeks you have not just been getting the usual ‘silver service’ but ‘pure gold’!

Silence is an interesting phenomenon. It can be interpreted and experienced as sweet, intimate, profound and enriching. It can also be uncomfortable, accusing, confronting and distancing. Context is everything, so it is most challenging when context is absent or unclear.

Some of you have been silently (and I assume graciously and patiently) awaiting more news. Some have been politely asking when the next update is coming. Others have enquired directly about what is going on and whether everything is OK. It may be that some have assumed the worst and bought a ‘With Sympathy’ card just in case!!

Allow me to put you all out of your misery. The silence has had nothing to do with Sue’s health and everything to do with my busy-ness and choices about priority of activity. Sue has now completed the sixth round of chemotherapy. It knocked her around for 10 days but was otherwise ‘normal’.  Sue had new scans last week and we will update you on the results after our next visit to the oncologist this week.

Thank you for journeying with us – for reading, commenting, thinking, praying and caring. Your support is treasured by us. We love the fact that there is a little community formed by the blog – family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and even strangers who are travelling with us in some way. What a privilege it is to share a bit of life with you all.

Stay tuned, the next exciting instalment is on its way. God bless.