麻豆社

From comedian & Writer Paul Kerensa:

As I journeyed here today, my eldest was commuting too, first day back to school. My youngest is back to pre-school, and here am I back at鈥� post-school. Some returned weeks ago, but over the next few days, those last stragglers in shopping centres and cinemas will be herded up and returned to their curricula for the new school year. As those Boo Radleys once sang, summer鈥檚 gone, days spent with the grass and sun, but I don鈥檛 mind鈥�

We found our rhythm five and a half weeks into the six-week holiday, embracing Britain鈥檚 brilliant brown roadsigns. At zoos and parks you鈥檇 find packs of other families, all coping together. Once, my wife was in the ladies toilet when a dad yelled in鈥� 鈥淜atie? You alright in there?鈥� My wife expected an eight-year-old girl to say 鈥淒ad, I鈥檒l be out be out in a minute!鈥� Instead she heard a forty-year-old woman: 鈥淵eah yeah, you found me鈥︹�� Turns out quite a few were just in there for the break, so my wife told me, twenty minutes later, when she finally emerged.

But less cynically, we are giving thanks for the summer break, and its opportunities for much-needed rest and renewal. Jesus said: 鈥淐ome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I鈥檒l give you rest.鈥� He taught an awareness of, and inclusion of, everyone: Samaritan woman on the margins, wealthy tax collector, destitute leper. Rejuvenating down-time is for each of us, whether we think we deserve it, need it, or can afford it.

I read that food banks have been hosting holiday clubs this summer 鈥� and I鈥檓 glad of the resource, though sad of the need. Like at many schools and churches, they鈥檝e given food, fun and time; a report says some parents have skipped meals this summer just to provide food and childcare.

I don鈥檛 take holidays for granted: they鈥檙e a right yet a privilege, and divinely appointed 鈥� even God rested seven days in.

So thank you, summer childcarers: from holiday clubs to friends, godparents and grandparents, many of whom are I鈥檓 sure now off to enjoy their holidays鈥� at term-time prices.

And teachers 鈥� I hope you managed a rest, because now, it鈥檚 over to you鈥�