On Being Ill at Greenbelt
Over Greenbelt 2010, get the lowdown from our team of talented, opinionated and observant Guest Bloggers.
A few days ago I and my friend decided Greenbelt is the alpha and omega of our annual calendar. New Year is severely over-estimated compared to the challenge, reflection, inspiration and party atmosphere of the festival weekend.
And so I put a lot of energy into awaiting Greenbelt 2010. I worked hard, travelled the tube and ticked off the days... unfortunately picking up a tooth infection and a course of nasty antibiotics on the way. But arrive at Greenbelt I did, excited and thrilled to be back.
Two days, several talks, Beer & Hymns, and a most rueful nausea-induced early night later, I finally dragged myself to the medic bay where they put me to camp-bed for 14 hours. It seems for me that Greenbelt is already over for another year.
This is now my seventh year at the festival and it's the first time I've met the medical team. Along with the production guys, the stewards, the team in soul space and everyone who works behind the scenes in plain sight, they are such an integral part of what makes these 4 days special. Because when - for me at least - the proverbial hit the fan, they are the people who have devoted their time at the festival to the many that may need it.
I want to dedicate this blog post to everyone else who, like me, did not have the festival that they had hoped for. It may because of what you left behind, what you're moving towards or you may just not be very well. That's not to say it wasn't another wonderful year filled with talks, music, worship and friends, but take a little time to look sideways because there may be someone near you who needs a little more lifting.
Hannah Kowszun works for a charity, writes for Third Way Magazine and blogs at Commuter Theology.
