February 2000 Volume 81 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
SA Police Chaplains
By David Marr

Cutting The Strings

here comes a time when it has to be done. Whether it means launching out on our own, making a break from the old firm, giving up something we have been deeply committed to, or something else. It is rarely easy though. Indeed, often the decision to cut loose is made for us, or comes through necessity.

We often feel hurt or grief in those circumstances, though often we may not understand that for ourselves. At times we may erupt and become difficult to live with. Even if we know all the theory about these things and understand the physiological and psychological aspects, it doesn’t necessarily mean we sleep well at nights.

I’ll admit to have been struggling a bit myself recently. Now the kids have all left home, the house that once struggled to accommodate us all has suddenly become too large and the garden seems to take increasing amounts of attention and hard work to keep tidy and presentable.

My wife encouraged me to take some of my own advice and do something about preparing for retirement. Neither of us wanted to spend increasing amounts of time cleaning and weeding, so the decision was made. But I have struggled with that decision, and with the idea of packing up 20 years of accumulated experience, goods and chattels. I have had to think again about my priorities in life; about my family, my friends and my goals; about what makes me feel contented and happy.

My plumber friend, Gus, told me that every one has his or her Achilles heel. He said mine seemed to be “dreams of foolishness”, and a willingness to listen to the fanciful wishes of my wife. After looking over his shoulder, he said no one would catch him listening to rot like that.

Leaving the comfort of the past behind and moving into the uncertainty of the future may be easier for some than for others. I think the sheer busyness of selling up, moving house or building another, disguises the extent of anxiety one may feel, and many of the ramifications may take time to become evident.

It is easy to keep looking back because my heart and feelings are involved, but it doesn’t mean the new environment, new friends and the future will be any less meaningful or happy. In fact, so much of it all is up to me and the decisions I make about many of the day-to-day aspects of my life. Jesus warned against becoming locked in by fears and anxieties about many of life’s seemingly important issues and encouraged people to move into the future with an attitude of trust and confidence. When I expressed something of these sentiments to Gus he just kept cleaning his ute and whistling “Happy days are here again”.

The packing and moving went off pretty well, though I still have a lot of boxes stored in Gus’s shed. He and his wife, Floss, were a great help and when at last we drove away, it followed some friendly abuse from Gus and tears all round. There’s no doubt we’ll miss them as neighbours, but they’ll always be our friends. As for the future, we are already developing new friendships and discovering that change is presenting new opportunities, new challenges and a new lifestyle. This in turn affects our outlook and ultimately our health and wellbeing.

I hope this new year, decade and millennium will be positive and create new meaning and opportunities for you. See you in 2000.

Welfare Section 58	David Marr	8364 3567
	Senior Police Chaplain.
Academy 8	Mark Thomas	8296 9616
Adelaide: Angas Street 158	Bruce Grindlay	8295 2220
Adelaide: Hindley Street 62	Bruce Grindlay	8295 2220
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Adrian Stephens	8398 2510
	Office:	8398 2517
Berri 212	Vacant
Ceduna 214	Bob Borgas	086 253 503
Christies Beach 20	Vacant
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke	088 423 681
Communications 172	David Hand	8295 6992
Elizabeth 52	Stephen Brooks	041 884 0739
Far North 210	Tony Redden	08 8672 5011
Focus 21	Richard Lawton	08 8362 4936
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke	085 222 288
Glenelg 22	Malcolm Thomas	8377 0772
Henley Beach 18	Brenton Daulby	8443 8286
Holden Hill 44	Rod Dyson	8365 1170
Kadina 71	Vacant
Kingston 208
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth (w)	087 231 353
	(h)	087 252 537
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill	085 325 536
Naracoorte 208	Bruce Cliff	8737 2457
		0417 811 702
Norwood 60	Lynton Wade	8362 2227
		0418 831 703
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald	085 621 011
Plympton 14	Ian Dempsey	8210 8108
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake	8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Steve Ardill	8632 3977
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Vacant
Port Lincoln 214	Vacant
Salisbury 53	Vacant
South East	Terry Natt	8571 1114
Sturt 12	Chris Beal	8278 9578
Tea Tree Gully 48	Bob George	8395 9363
Thebarton Barracks 32	Joe Grealy	8338 3225
Transit Division	Wayne Shepherd	8443 4895
Unley 28	Max Bowers	8272 8324
Whyalla 218	John Dunkley	0886 452 500

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