Thought Of The Week: 22 October 2015 – Viv Bellos

Written by Writings & Sermons by others — 22 October 2015

In the parasha this week Lech L’cha, Abram, as he is still known, is commanded by God to ‘Go to a land that I will show you and I will make of you a great nation’

In this week of my ‘going’ I could draw parallels to the parasha but that might give the wrong impression. I have not been commanded, I am going of my own free will; I am not leaving my house, my relatives or indeed my community to travel to a distant land but staying firmly put and becoming an active member of the land I have loved for so long. I have even been given the best party ever and showered with presents and good wishes.

However there is a parallel in the sense of setting off into the unknown. Retirement is an unknown land for everyone when they reach it. For many it is a wonderful release from the monotony of office life or from hard physical work and a chance to relax and enjoy the pleasures the town and country have to offer. For others it is loss of identity and motivation and a sliding into boredom and depression. It is as with most things in life what you make of it. I have a brilliant role model in my husband Alan who has embraced retirement with energy and enthusiasm, volunteering for so many wonderful causes which bring him pleasure, exercise and social engagement with so many different groups. I plan to follow his example and involve myself in a variety of volunteering roles some here at Alyth.

Alyth has given me so much over my 35 years of employment and I know I will continue to be involved in all that it has to offer in the future. I am delighted that as Emeritus Director of Music I will continue to have a role here at Alyth and also be allowed to keep some of my groups such as the Ramblers and Singing for Pleasure. I’m coming on the Weekend Away and really looking forward to enjoying the experience with my friends without any work commitments.

I am so pleased that Katie is already a firm favourite with the community. She has a beautiful voice and delightful personality and is full of energy and enthusiasm and I am confident music at Alyth will go from strength to strength under her guidance.

And so I say not goodbye but thank you for the music and for all the love and support you have given me and my family over the past 35 years. I could not have wished for a better more fulfilling life so far and I look forward to seeing you all soon.