Changing Guard

I attended Diocesan Convention this last Friday and Saturday.  I did clergy registration with another colleague as we have done for the last fifteen years.  It is Very Clear the guard is changing, indeed it has changed.  Gradually... then suddenly.  I grew up with A. A. Milne and Winnie the Pooh.  It is not a surprise to me that Buckingham Palace was floating through my head when I awoke this morning.  This, it seems, was my last year doing clergy registration.  I will miss it.  No one has forced me out.  It is simply time...to change the guard.

Buckingham Palace

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We saw a guard in a sentry-box.
"One of the sergeants looks after their socks,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We looked for the King, but he never came.
"Well, God take care of him, all the same,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
They've great big parties inside the grounds.
"I wouldn't be King for a hundred pounds,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
A face looked out, but it wasn't the King's.
"He's much too busy a-signing things,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
"Do you think the King knows all about me?"
"Sure to, dear, but it's time for tea,"
Says Alice. 

Alan Alexander Milne