Death

In his early twenties, the son of a close work colleague of mine died in a motorcycle accident on Friday. No one else involved, he apparently lost control going round a bend and hit another vehicle head-on. I'm going to the funeral tomorrow at midday. Full military funeral I'm told, as he was a serving RAF Police Officer. It is very sad. I am very sad.

Today is the tenth anniversary of my mum's sudden and early death aged 56. I can't believe it's 10 years since I saw her, and kissed her, lying lifeless on the stairs where she fell, as the paramedics were packing up their equipment, having done their best to no avail. Ten years since I had to visit my gran and tell her that her elder daughter was dead. I still miss her terribly, as we all must miss our parents when they pass away. She died 5 months and two days after her only grandchild, Rebekah, died of cancer aged nearly five. Mum never got over that. I was one of the four people at Rebekah's bedside at home as she passed away, peacefully. The words of the anthem "When to the temple Mary went" by Johannes Eccard always brings an enormous lump to my throat when I have to sing the words "may gently fall asleep and with Thee wake" because that's how Rebekah went. I am crying as I type this.

Three people who all died too young.

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord and let light perpetual shine upon them.