I have been speaking with a number of people from various parts of the world, who have seen the flood news on TV, and have been asking if I am okay. Also, many people who I have met at events outside the area have been asking too. This concern is well appreciated as so many people have suffered during past weeks.
Worcester, England is very familiar with the sudden expansion of the river that flows through the heart of this fine City.
As pervious articles have shown, it can be quite spectacular. This got me thinking about the markers that have been placed at the rear of the Cathedral, over many years. The picture you see if a collection of some of these plaques that have been inserted in a very old wall. They reside at the side of the river, and whilst not possible to take a picture in the past few weeks, I did take a picture a few weeks before the floods arrived.
You wont be able to read the dates on them, but they do span many centuries. They are placed at the actual height of the flood level – the large, dark top rectangular plaque is about 6 metres above the summer level of the river. I know in some parts of the world this is a mere gesture, other rivers do cause so much devastation – we are blessed that we do not have to contend with such problems.
I was studying these when I took the picture, it is a fascinating record of historic events. A great way to mark an occasion for others to see – and also to be able to make comparison. It also made me think about some of the things that I have recorded to keep a log of events in my own life, my own career, my own development. It also made me think about so many things that I have not recorded, that will be forgotten. It also made me think of the many things that I have forgotten in the mists of my own time. As I strolled on my way I did start to think, I did start to remember events, I also realised that as good as my memory is I have lost the ‘context’ and ‘comparison’ with other events.
These flood markers state the facts clearly, unemotionally. Our memories can be selective – in fact I thought the 2001 flood was lower than the 1998, it wasn’t.
Now this really got me thinking how deep is my memory? And if I take a plunge what deeper discovery will I make:
- What should I be recording to make sure I do have the accurate facts?
- What should I be recording to make sure I have captured things that will be important and enjoyable to remind myself about at some later time?
- What should I record to enable me to see if progress has been made, rather than a selective memory thinking it has?
And this is the one that really did make me think:
- What perhaps should I let go into the flood waters of my mind….and just let go?
Hmm – that was a powerful thought to take on my walk.
And the date on the top marker? 23 December 1672
My best wishes,
Peter
