I chose the title of this blog for three reasons; one of which will be obvious, namely it's my 25th or 'Silver Wedding Anniversary' on 29th July.
Perhaps less obvious, is that the title of the song (originally by Jeff Beck) takes me back to the 60s when I was born... But finally, the 'silver lining' is more obvious in the strands of my hair than anything else!
There are plenty of things to 'report' on a personal level, including some very unpleasant, and on-going, health issues. But as I think about those, they all pale into insignificance compared with the issues in the wider-world right now.
As I write, there is temporary respite in the Gaza conflict (an agreed 72hr ceasefire, brokered by Egypt), which has yet again been raging for too long, causing enormous suffering to innocent men, women and children. Death and injury has again become a common feature throughout the Middle East. When will both parties see sense?
In this context, I've just started reading an interesting book called 'Son of Hamas' and it records "[T]he shocking true story of a Hamas insider who rejected his violent destiny - and is now risking everything to expose closely guarded secrets and show the world a way to peace."
"Mosab Hassan Yousef is the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding leader of Hamas, internationally recognized as a terrorist organisation and responsible for countless suicide bombings and other deadly attacks against Israel An integral part of the movement [sic], Mosab was imprisoned several times by the Israeli internal intelligence service. After a chance encounter with a British tourist, he started a six-year quest that jeopardized Hamas, endangered his family, and threatened his life. He has since embraced the teachings of Jesus and sought political asylum in America."
In the light of what's going on, how can I reasonably do anything but consider those that are far less fortunate than myself. Although my long-term sympathies are (and always have been) with Israel, since the birth of the nation in 1948, they must find a way of treating their 'neighbours' with respect.
Meanwhile, back in Britain, we were lighting candles last night (August 4th) to remember 'the declaration of war' against Germany in 1914. This was essentially the start of World War One..... We have learned nothing since!
There is one thing that Mosab Hassan Yousef and I have in common and that is the belief that "the mandate to "love your enemies" is the only way to peace in the Middle East." (or anywhere else for that matter)!
So, to end this rather unusual blog on a brighter note, I would particularly like to 'praise' my wife (Kim) - and thank her for the last 25 years - and publicly say that asking her to marry me was (and still is) the best decision I've ever made in my life! Thank you. xxx