Friday morning was my beautiful sister's Graduation. Mum, Dad, Adam, Lisa and I made our way through a very quiet London to celebrate with the class of 2005 in Wembley Conference centre. It was strange to be back in London so soon after the bombings, there was a subdued mood and a sober atmosphere in the streets. No fear, no panic, a little anger and a lot of silent, respectful morning...
I am very proud of my little sister, Lisa graduated Middlesex University with a first in Dance Performance. As she walked accross the stage to accept her degree the Trundle family heckled and cheered with all the decoram of an irish family. Mum and Dad were beaming with pride, Adam was unbelievably bored and laughing at the stupid hats.
On the way back to Transmission I decided to tackle the tubes. To be honest I was curious to see what it would be like after such a momentus event. I'm never quite sure what the reaction of the British ppublic will be. I think we've weathered more than other nations so allthough we morn there isn't so great a sense of shock or dissbelief; more a sadness that the attack we'd been expecting had finally happened.
I had to take the Jubilee and Victoria line to get as far as Euston. THe tubes were earilly empty but those few who had ventured on were quiet and watchful. Eyes darting left and right as anouncements to be vigilant reminded us that everyone could be a potential bomber. I am pretty proud of London though. Despite the pain, despite the death, in the midst of grieving they seemed to pull together rather than pull apart.
With tubes under Kings Cross closed I walked from Euston to the station. I passed the road where the bus blew and saw people gathering in front of the police line in silence. You couldn't see anything because blankets had been strung accross the street. Stil there remained a silent watch of press and morners, it was a silent oasis in the bustle of the surrounding streets.
As I got to Kings Cross the crowds thickened and the morners increased. It was a sureal scene. There weren't any large expressions of emotions or tears, anger or demonstration. There was mearly a silent crowd moving slower than normal, a little more polite than the usual commutors glancing down at the flowers lining the street. It was more moving than people weeping, a nation morning but taking it with dignity.
We spent a lot of time praying for London this weekend at Transmission. I'm really glad I was coming here, I don't think I could have made sense of last Thursday without some prayer and time with some Godly people. xc