Love is a Rebellion

Back in the summer I wrote about Stories of Hope and Home's latest performance, on stage at the Birmingham REP, "Love is a Rebellion". Six months later, I am still incredibly proud of everyone involved in devising, writing and performing this incredibly powerful piece.

While it isn't quite the same as seeing it live, we are celebrating International Migrants' Day by making it available to watch online:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbvEMb3XzMs

One of the things which has been particularly precious about this year's play is that it has had a life beyond the performance day itself, special thought that day was. In the months since, we have been able to share the piece with different people in a number of different ways: we performed it to 150 teachers on an INSET day, used it as a vehicle to structure the sharing of stories on our residential with primary head teachers, and did a 'play in a day', helping a group of Year 9 drama students perform it to younger students in their school. We are looking forward to further opportunities to share it with others to help them understand the realities of seeking sanctuary in the UK.

The song from the show, "Love is How we Rebel" quickly became something of a theme tune for our community and, again with help from Birmingham REP we were delighted to be able to record and release it. You can now stream it in all the usual places you listen to music, and after a somewhat faffy process it now has synced lyrics so you can even sing along too! 

Our performance from the previous year, In the Shadow of the Trees, is also available to watch online.

Answers (10)

 44) What is my life's purpose?

Some of the questions in the jar feel relatively manageable ... and then you pull out one like this! Interestingly, a similar question / conversation came up at our weekly bible discussion recently. 

There are so many things in my life which I really believe are things which I am meant to be doing. Things which give life to me and which, I believe contribute something positive to the world around me. I have written previously about vocation, and I do believe both teaching and my work supporting people seeking sanctuary are part of my vocation.

But life's purpose, that's something different. Something infinitely bigger but, ultimately simpler. Deep down, I really believe my life's purpose is simply to exist. To live my life to the full. To be me, as authentically as I can. 

As simple, and as complicated, as that. 

45) If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would it be and why?

It is probably a cop out, but the honest answer would really be none. While I know that for many people pets are a hugely significant part of their life, it doesn't really hold any appeal for me. I'll stick to soft toy animals instead of real ones I think.

46) What fictional character do you most relate to?

I'm not sure if I really relate, but the fictional character I feel I have most often been compared to is Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh which is a nickname or association I have picked-up periodically in different settings and among different groups of people so perhaps I should accept the appellation and run with it. Tigger comes with a reputation for boundless energy and enthusiasm, and being completely unique which in both cases I mostly feel I can generally live up to, (despite this year having somewhat taken its toll on my energy levels and optimism at times). Like Tigger, I am also lucky enough to have found, and to be loved and accepted by a wonderful community of friends who are all very different but who accept me just the way I am.

47) What are you most grateful for?

I have so much to be grateful for ... to narrow it down to one thing doesn't seem possible or, more importantly, even right. Periodically, I keep a gratitude diary and make a point, each day, of noting down something(s) I am grateful for. It is a valuable discipline: a reminder on the good days and the harder ones that I always have things to be grateful for, a reminder that so many of those things are tiny and often pass us by barely being noticed. But if I do have to choose, and sum up the one thing I am most grateful for, it would be love: the love I am privileged to be given by so many wonderful people, the love I am privileged to be able to offer.

48) What was your best birthday?

The one that stands out, really, is my 30th. In April, midway between Matthew's thirtieth and mine, we hired out a youth hostel for a weekend and  invited family and friends from all different parts of our lives to come together and celebrate with us. There was a walk in the countryside, bright sunshine, and lots of good food, there were quizzes and silly games, late night conversations, and lots and lots of cake, there were reunions with old friends and a bringing together of people who had never met each other, there was a beautiful community and the knowledge I am very loved. My actual birthday was much more low-key but on (or close to) it, I gathered friends for a picnic in the park. The sun shone again, I do love a picnic and, as we prepared to move on to our next adventure, it brought together many of those who had been important to us during our two years in France.