The last lap?

I have just read an advertisement for "Affordable retirement units in the Diocese of Waiapu" - the blurb reads "Our villages are ideal for the over-55's seeking independent living in friendly and supportive local communities." Excuse me?! Over 55's, that gives me very few years before I can settle down in my comfortable chair and slippers. A sobering thought. I had better get a move on.

My current book is "We have recovered" by Steve Baughan, who is my equivalent in CA USA. It tells how those with full on addictions have recovered using the Common Solution Recovery Programme, with classic AA input. Addicts are particularly prone to procrastination - working through some of the steps, but not all. One phrase caught my attention - "‎"Wait" is often the door to never."

There are countless reasons why now is not the best time, why we should not rush in, why we need to plan carefully, why we need to get others on board, why we need to avoid spreading ourselves too thinly, but when all is said and done a heck of a lot more is said than done. If 55 is the beginning of the end, there really is no time to wait.

Having complained in my last blog about the number of people on the CANZ mailing list who never contact us or send donations, I must praise the number of people who have responded with such generosity to our recent Together magazine - we have had a steady flow of donations large and small, many targeted for Christchurch, which leave me humbled and deeply grateful. We even received a parcel from England containing "toys and treats" - I can't wait to see the kids' faces when we these are handed out when we visit Christchurch next week. I'm excited about going back, and hope to blog more frequently!