Let me tell you a story about George B Jameson. I never met the man nor spoke with him , I have no idea what he looks like or his profile yet he affected my life in a great way. I do know he was Chairman of the Village Council where I lived during Covid 19.
George had however died in 2009 yet he gave thanks to the Village by donating the bench in this blog’s photo. The bench is in a field that overlooks the fields under the Downs and it is a place to watch the deer and the rabbits scurry, a place to hear the birds sing often in chorus. My favourite bird the red robin often visits the bench and sits alongside.
The bench has been a place not of solitude but of great guide and steer many times as I have considered what to do next in my business, my life and beyond. It has been a place of retrospection to correct my mistakes and a place of Hope in things to come. Two railway sleepers bound together with a bronze plaque attached in recognition of George. The railway sleepers are significant considering the journey we are all on. The thick wood a reminder of the wooden cross and the person that bore our sins in our redemption. His creation that surrounds the bench magnificent and a splendour that is gratis.
Every time I have gone to the bench it has been free as if George knew I was coming and reserved my table. Dogs that cross the field on their daily walks sometime come across to say hello. I speak with them whenever I’m not on the phone or writing an e mail for it has also been a place to conduct high affairs of business in a world when we can work everywhere and anywhere at any time. I’ve sat on the bench in all lights sunrise and moon , dawn and sunset as creation changed its mood and the clothes that it wears.
Last week a black Labrador of 13 years wandered over tho the bench followed by an elderly lady smiling. She told me that the dog had come to say hello to me thinking it was George for it was George’s widow out on a walk pleased that someone was making use of the bench. There is something about leaving a place to sit in a quiet place that is deep and I’m grateful for George in doing so. My own parents have their bench near their graveside and I sat on it on a visit recently. What we donate can bless others and it is that simple touch that creates more significance.
Leave your bench I’m going to and let it be a benchmark for others from where to aspire, reflect and Hope of the days to come. I’m sure that one day I’ll meet George when I can thank him for his donation of the bench.
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