Categories: uncategorized
Date: 29 June 2008 00:42:51
Richard's funeral went as well as funerals can go. The service largely consisted of friends getting up to share their memories and stories, interspersed with some music Rich had requested (two Radiohead songs, one by the Foo Fighters, and I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany, which seemed slightly incongruous but probably had some relevance somewhere along the lines and, I suspect, would have made him laugh). His parents and sisters also spoke, before we all adjourned to the burial plot (the whole thing took place at a burial ground in Epping Forest which only opened a couple of months ago; Rich had asked to be buried there as it's a comparatively nearby place for his family to come and his dogs could be walked there).
I must admit, I tend to find myself in a bit of a Christian-ised ghetto a lot of the time; I'm not used to going to funerals or weddings that don't have any religious element in them, and when the music was playing I did wonder how I was supposed to react (some gentle foot-tapping and subtle mouthing along to the words seemed to work). The funeral made me think about a lot of things, and one of the biggest was the way I have so few non-Christian friends, and how that's not a healthy thing. Sure, it makes for a comfortable and un-challenging life - until I find myself at a funeral of someone that I wish I could have talked to about Jesus, but I couldn't because I hadn't been hanging out with them.
On a slightly happier note, the funeral allowed me to catch up with some old school friends and reminisce about the good old days when life was easier. As well as Pat, who I'd seen at Rich's party a while ago, another of my best mates from the time, Rupert, was also there and gave me a lift from Cambridge down to Epping and back again. That allowed us plenty of time to discuss pretty much everyone we were at school with, where they are now, when we last saw them, what we know of their current situations (thank you once again, facebook) and whether we'd ever want to see them again. One thing Rupert pointed out was that, in the last couple of years at school when the four of us (Richard, Pat, Rupert and me) were always hanging around together, we weren't part of any crowd; we weren't in with the cool kids, and we weren't in with the geeky swots, and we sure weren't in with the sporty guys. We were just us - four blokes wandering about the school discussing last night's TV and our English coursework and how much we fancied Emma (who sometimes hung out with us but was clearly way out of our league). In a way, I think I'm still a bit like that. I'm not desperate to be Mr Popularity, but I'm happy that I have true friends who seem to find me genuinely likeable (even when I don't) and enjoy spending time with me, and likewise I enjoy spending time with them.
Anyways, now that we're all back in touch with each other, Pat, Rupert and I are planning to keep it that way. And hopefully sometime soon, we'll try to all get together to catch up a bit more and raise a drink or two in memory of Richard. Given his reputation for alcohol-fuelled adventures, I suspect that's what he would have wanted. (Incidentally, it seems Rich was also a fan of getting naked at the slightest provocation; no offence to the other guys, but I think for everyone's sake it might be best if we don't continue that tradition.)
Rest in peace Richard. You were a great mate and one of the funniest people I ever met. I know you didn't believe in God, but I hope and pray you're with Him now. And I'm sure He won't mind you wandering about in the buff, as that's kind of how He made you in the first place...