Dec 2001 Volume 82 Number 1
"serving the protectors"
| Dec 2001 Volume 82 Number 1 "serving the protectors" |
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Chaplaincy - The Aftermath |
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| By David Marr |
Aftermaths can be dicey things, be it following a major accident, murder, a brawl, a trial or some form of personal or family crisis. Inevitably, there is the scene itself, sometimes with its own hazards or hardships. There are those, too, who have to tackle the paperwork, ensuring every essential ingredient is included.
Everyone has an interest, too. Everyone from the boss through to the media editors and statisticians. Some things take some cleaning up, too. The effort in some instances has proven costly. Sometimes, financial cost is the easiest to meet. Injured health, minds and spirits occasionally linger for years, leaving a bitterness infecting not only the cleaners but also spreading its stains upon loved ones and others close by.
My wife and I like to clear up after the party is over. That is, we prefer to clean up the room and dishes together before heading off to bed, however late (or early) that might be, rather than awake to find it staring us in the face the following morning. It’s a lousy job, too. Over the years, I’ve not found too many willing helpers.
On turning around after farewelling the last stayers, you sometimes wonder how such a mess could occur and just where to begin. Some aspects of the job are worse than others: food scraps, the barbecue, the empties, the rubbish and concomitant smells. I carefully respond to the probing questions from my wife: “Do you think everyone enjoyed themselves? Was it successful?”
I sometimes wonder if it was all worthwhile, but dare not speak the truth.
Christmas can be the same. Some families are never happy together. Tensions increase and so does the yelling. Someone nearly always gets hurt - then somebody has to do the cleaning up. That can be difficult, and messy, too.
Some families have never had it easy. I’ve walked into rooms after Christmas and felt tensions akin to that of an accident scene. I’ve seen kids frightened out of their wits and, at times, made to feel responsible. I’ve sat between feuding adults arguing over things that happened 30 years ago. Humans can do strange things to each other in the name of “love” and “family”.
Conversely, Christmas can also be a great opportunity for celebration and the rediscovery of spiritual values important to us all. It is good to again remember the purpose of “the Incarnation” is that, as individuals, families and a people, we are meant to be free.
A quick look about us is enough to suggest that following God’s goodness and generosity we have become lost in the aftermath and much cleaning up needs to be done. The good thing is that at the beginning of another year we might resolve to tidy some of our own loose ends and hopefully experience this sense of freedom. This can enable us to live more constructively, positively and with a renewed sense of purpose.
The state in which we leave things is our choice. Let’s hope 2001 can be a dream year.
Welfare Section 58 David Marr
Senior Police Chaplain.8364 3567 Academy 8 Brenton Daulby Adelaide: Angas Street 158 Bruce Grindlay 8295 2220 Adelaide: Hindley Street 62 Bruce Grindlay 8295 2220 Adelaide Hills Division 54 Adrian Stephens
Office:8398 2510
8398 2517Ceduna 214 Bob Borgas 8625 3503 Christies Beach 20 Peter Coote 8381 3039
0412 818 995Clare 202 Michael Dutschke 8842 3681 Communications 172 David Hand 8376 5612 Elizabeth 52 Vacant Far North 210 John Folkman 8672 5011 Firearms/Records Dianna Bartlett 8337 8552 Focus 21 Richard Lawton 8362 4936 Gawler 52 Brian Tscharke 8522 2288 Glenelg 22 Malcolm Thomas 8377 0772 Henley Beach 18 Vacant Holden Hill 44 Rod Dyson 8365 1170 Kadina 71 Vacant Kingston 208 Mount Gambier 208 Brian Ashworth (w) 8723 1353 (h) 8725 2537 Murray Bridge 200 Malcolm Bottrill 8532 5536 Naracoorte 208 Bruce Cliff 8737 2457
0417 811 702Norwood 60 Lynton Wade 8362 2227
0418 831 703Nuriootpa 204 Andy Kowald 8562 1011 Port Adelaide 6 Jeff Oake 8341 5930 Port Pirie 206 Steve Ardill 8632 3977 Prosecution Services 176 Vacant Port Augusta PS 210 Mark Thomas 8642 2487
0401 671 850Port Lincoln 214 Vacant Riverland 212 Robin Zadow 8588 1540 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 Whyalla 218 Tony Redden 8649 3593
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