Letter from Simon Nicholls
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,Tho' they return with scars?
These are the noble hero's lot
Obtain'd in glorious wars.
Now I thought the “Auld.Lang Syne” we all sing at New Year was the work of Robbie Burns, it turns out however (I’m sure you knew this already) that I was wrong. I discovered this -of course- on the internet, when I went to find out what all that “Auld Lang Syne” guff was really about. Because, although I know the words, and have sung them dozens of times, when I think about it they’re just a load of twaddle really. And I got to thinking about this because, as we’ve now moved, I wanted to write stuff about old friends. Anyhow, the words Rabbie actually wrote start with stuff about wars and scars and a dodgy bit along the lines of “thy arms about me twine”. So I’m none the wiser about what “lang syne” is and whether it was ever new, and whether the writer in the version I know is suggesting that for the sake of it – because it’s now old- it would be better if we forgot about our old acquaintances. Well please rest assured that neither I nor any of the rest of the family has any intention of forgetting you, and I’m sure you’ll frequently be brought to mind.
I’d now like to thank you for the superb farewell send off you gave us all. It gets a bit tricky here because I’m writing this on 9th June and our send-off is on 20th, so I’m going to have to imagine what’s arranged for us. So here goes…. Thank you so much for all of your best wishes on our send off on 20th June. We thought the occasion was wonderful. The children really enjoyed the juggling baboon (the biting incident with the bible reciting parrot was a little unfortunate, and we all hope that Clare’s wound hasn’t gone septic). I was particularly surprised when Julia Roberts turned up for the presentation, though the most unexpected part of the day was the Red Arrows fly-past. We are most appreciative of the gift of B&Q tokens. As these are also redeemable at Woolworths you’ll be pleased to know we’ve blown the lot in one go on “pick’n’mix”. OK so I think my imagination ran riot there so here’s the real thank-you.
It is humbling (and when you’re such a big head as me that’s a big thing) to know that what we’ve all done in Earl Soham, Cretingham and Ashfield has been so valued and appreciated. What I’ll miss most about living there are silly things like waving at ¾ of the cars that pass while I’m out because I know everyone (by the way, my eyes aren’t as good as they were – and I’m too proud to wear my glasses-so I wave a the other ¼too just in case).
All silliness aside, our most fervent prayer, is that through us, you have seen some of God’s love, because we’ve certainly found God’s love in you. And in our thoughts of you, we’d like to share St Pauls words for his friends he left behind at Philippi:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
So this is a new beginning for us but every time we remember you, we will give thanks for the love and friendship you have shown us. Cheers. God Bless and thanks for all the “pick’n’mix”
Simon, Shirley George, Alice, Tom and Anne Nicholls… and Sam of course