We’ve had Mrs Jones and Mrs Robinson now we have Mrs Janes. I fear that Mr Brown knows there is nothing he can say to Mrs Janes that will ease her pain. His dilemna is what not to say. Those of us who have spent our lives around grieving families know how fagile bereaved parents can feel. The wrong word the wrong look the wrong name all compounds the wounds of loss and anxiety.

The world is full of smart people. I have noticed how smart people are especially in hindsight. The recent whoha! with Gordon Brown and Mrs Janes will continued to be milked by all sorts of political annimals. I think Mrs Janes must be very used to people making that mistake. I also think she has been badly advised in the way she has handled the situation.

I don’t know about you but I think the media need to give our PM Gordon Brown a break. It doesn’t matter what the man says or does it seems to me there is some smart journalist waiting to mark him out of ten. Look I’m not niave. He’s a politician, but he’s also a human being. Sending the letter to the bereaved boy’s parents was a gesture of concern and empathy. It is perfectly understandable that Mrs Janes is angry and disappointed at the circumstances surrounding her son’s death, but the Sun newspaper is simply using this woman’s grief to score their own political points against a political party they once supported.

This is such an emotionally dangerous and heartbreaking situation. It really does call for those around Mrs Janes to help her grieve for her son without being in the glare of TV Cameras. I think the day may come when she will regret having been used this way.

I’m really enjoying these beautiful Autumn come Winter scenes here in Bo’ness. Just look and see how vibriant the colours were today. I was walking back from the church in the late morning. I think Grange Terrace has such a prestigious look about it. The tall trees that line the road must have some wonderful stories to tell. When the leaves begin to fall off the trees the view across the Forth is revealed. Its really quite mystical. Anyway here are some views along the Terrace.

As I continued to walk I came across this old tree standing tall stretching up into the blue sky. There was nothing temporary about this tree. It has its roots firmly planted in the soil. It might look a bit ugly but its solid. Its dependable, and its enduring. It carries and displays the scars of time on its bark, but it wears its bark proudly. Got me thinking, I know a few wonderful people who are a bit like this tree. They inspire me not because they look great but because they are great. Great because they have handled all that life can throw at them and their still standing.

On other thought came into my mind this tree looks like as strong and as permenant at the church tower.

Oh God
Help me to stand tall
Thank you for the strong people
Who have helped me in my life
The people who have made me look tall
The people who have held me up by their prayers
The people I lean upon
Lord I do believe in the Moses effect
Arms lifted in prayer
The giants whose shoulders I have stood upon
Thank you for the view they have given me
Even if I never journey any further
The view is all I need