Categories: uncategorized
Date: 16 November 2005 12:50:21
The last few days have been very mixed.
Monday saw me visiting my best mate who was home from Brussels. He's in the middle of organising a move away from there - either Paris or back to London. He lost his mother at the start of the year and the whole family are still trying to recover from the shock.
She had been ill but, as always, the end comes when you least expect it. You never seem to be ready, no matter how much notice you get.
Her funeral was a Humanist one. This was the first time I'd been to one and, I must say, that it is a very, very surreal event. Yes it was a clebration of her life but, to me, there was something missing. I know that they believe that death is the end but the funeral seemed so lifeless and empty.
Anyway its always good to meet him when he's home. It gives me the opportunity to discuss politics, sport, music and opera with someone who is more knowledgeable than me. To think that a Christian/Conservative and a Socialist/Communist can get on so well is good to see.
Then yesterday saw the funeral of Hope Scott. Bethesda in Rogerstone was packed with people who's lives were touched by this man. There were even some ex-neighbours there who hadn't see for 10-20 years. All united in a celebration of his life.
This was a fitting farewell for a man who always had a word of encouragement for you. He'd rebuke you when it was needed and he always had the right prayer for the occasion. Not only that but he was a man of humour and knowledge. He could find illustrations or jokes that would have you laughing, whether during a sermon or in ordinary life.
John Heyward, the minister at Moriah in Risca, saw him on the last Saturday. Hope rebuked John for visiting him on a Saturday.
"You should be at home in prayer and contemplation, preparing your sermons for tomorrow. Not here visiting me."
He always put others before himself. He'll be greatlly missed by all who knew him.