Goodbyes

We've had a spate of funerals in the past three months - my brother Colin on 19th September, Cathy's mother-in-law Marian on 18th November (Colin's birthday!) and our friend from Kennington days, Bert Brown on 25th November.   Colin having professed himself to be a non-believer, his service was somewhat muted: conducted by Revd Talisker MacLeod from the church my sister Margaret attended for many years, she steered a delicate path between atheism and Christianity.   Some commented on her unusual Christian name but the history of the MacLeods shows it to be entirely appropriate.   Marian's was even less religious - no prayers except the Lord's Prayer, no priest but an "Independent Minister", who spoke very well about the way Marian had enriched the lives of so many people and will live on in our hearts.  Bert's was the most "orthodox", conducted by Deacon Beverley Miles.   Bert was a World War II veteran and two poems reflected this: at the start of the service -

"When you come to the end of a perfect day and you sit alone with your thoughts,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay for the joys that the day has bought,
Do you think what the end of a perfect day  can mean to  tired heart ?
When the sun goes does with a flaming ray and the dear hearts have to part?
Well, this is the end of a perfect day, near the end of the journey, too,
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong with a wish that is kind and true.
For memory has painted this perfect day with colours that never fade,
And we find at the end of a perfect day the soul of a friend we’ve made."

And at the end .......

“Miss me, but let me go.......”

"When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me,
I want no tears in a gloom filled room - why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long, and not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we shared - miss me but let me go
For this is the journey we all must take and each must go alone
It’s all part of the Maker’s plan a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends that we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good works - miss me, but let me go."

May they all rest in peace.