This morning was out 52nd Zurch - Zoom Church - and we took time to reflect on the past year, mostly privately, in conversation with some verses of scripture from the RCL readings for Lent 4 this year.

We could never have imagined a year ago that we would still be meeting virtually, and that, for us at least, the prospect of 'in person church' is still some way off.

Music, images, songs, prayers, meditation and a few words... if was, as someone said, 'a different kind of service' without a sermon type thing.

There are sermons and prayers, but they will be forgotten

There is music and singing, but it will cease,

What remains is greater than all these - what remains is love.

I didn't say that in the service, it came to me now as I'm typing, but 52 weeks on, love certainly remains.

These were the parting words of my breast surgeon as he discharged me this morning at the end of ten years post-surgery follow-up.

The team who have looked after me so well, for so long, are pretty amazing.  It's not every surgeon who would recognise one of their patients out of context, or even wave at them across the waiting room, but this one has done so.  It's not every team that would give you as much time as you need at every appointment, but this team do.  It's not every team that tell you that discharge is not a closed door, but instead that you need the contact numbers to come straight to them if you have any concerns going forward. 

The parting words told me what I'd always known, that I was in the 'poor prognosis' group, that this day might not have come, and that it was indeed so great to have arrived here.

I could not have asked for, or even paid for, better care, and it was all free at the point of delivery.  The NHS is a wonderful thing, and today, once again, I am reminded just how wonderful.

On Tuesday I was doubly grateful to the NHS, as in the afternoon I had a mammogram and in the early evening my first Covid vaccination.

The vaccination centre was a really positive experience, with friendly, helpful staff to show the way, adminster the vaccine and see that you got out again!

A few hours after being jabbed, the side effects began to kick in, a sure sign that my immune system is doing exactly what it's meant to do and producing antibodies.

In gratitude, I twinned my vaccine, through one of many online appeals, to help ensure that people in other lands have access to the vaccine too. At an upper donation level of £30 for two doses, it's clear the vaccine isn't exactly expensive.

Still a bit below par two days on, but so well worth it, not just for me, but for all with whom I will come into contact in the months ahead.