This olive tree in Madiera is said to be over 2000 years old. It may well have been around at the time of Jesus’ resurrection! It’s hard to know what to say when meeting someone newly bereaved. Some people pretend nothing has happened. It’s business as usual. Some tell you about their own experiences ofContinue reading “22.Death is so embarrassing!”
Category Archives: Grieving
20. Widows’ weeds
A few days after we had buried Robert’s ashes, I sensed there had been a gear change in my emotions, as though burying his ashes was the last thing we could do for Robert. I told a few people that if I’d been wearing widows’ weeds, I would now have taken them off. I supposeContinue reading “20. Widows’ weeds”
19. One plot on this planet
During September 2019 I followed the debate around the repositioning of the remains of General Francisco Franco. After his death in 1975 he was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Fallen Memorial, Madrid, a symbol of greatness. But burial plots are more than just a resting place for bones or ashes.Continue reading “19. One plot on this planet”
18a. Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory
I’ve just returned from a short break in North Norfolk. On the way home, we visited Walsingham. When the children were very young, we’d gone there but my memories were vague. Since then however, the various sites have been developed quite significantly. The village is such a unique place – catering for coaches of tourists,Continue reading “18a. Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory”
18. The first anniversary pilgrimage
Over this last year many kind people have got in touch to acknowledge Robert’s birthday, that first Christmas, the first wedding anniversary and anniversary of his death. I really appreciated their care. I have to say though that for me personally, my grief on those days has been no greater than on any other day.Continue reading “18. The first anniversary pilgrimage”
16.Dying well – suddenly
Taken January 2020 in Madeira, this photo looks out from a shadowy present to a bright future…only for me in September 2018, this was suddenly the complete opposite! But now in 2020 I’m beginning to look from the shadows into the sunshine Robert’s death was totally unexpected and unconnected with the blood cancer of theContinue reading “16.Dying well – suddenly”
15. Cremation and buried bones
In the early nineties we worshipped in the Norman church of St Andrews Histon, near Cambridge, with its peaceful open graveyard. Robert and I liked the idea of being buried there. Living in Watford for many years, we sometimes walked through the cemetery on our way into the town centre. We called it the ‘deadContinue reading “15. Cremation and buried bones”
14. Dying well…anticipated
John Wyatt’s book Dying well published by IVP in 2018 is an excellent book. John is an emeritus professor of Neonatal Paediatrics. He’s written many books and given many lectures on medical ethics, among other subjects. Some years ago, I remember listening to him lecture on euthanasia, from the perspective of a Christian. This wasContinue reading “14. Dying well…anticipated”
12. The weird passage of time
Today is 30th December 2019 and I’m reflecting on what I first wrote in October. You see, in two days’ time (31 hours 50 minutes to be precise – I’m writing at 16.10) it will be two years since Robert died. That seems such a long time. Actually, his death is only 16 months ago,Continue reading “12. The weird passage of time”
11. Burying the ashes
It was a beautiful late-Spring morning. The grass and trees were bright green and fresh. We’d chosen to bury Robert’s ashes in a churchyard in a small village on the west-side of the Peak District, surrounded by hills. In the church every Sunday there was faithful preaching from God’s word. It felt good to buryContinue reading “11. Burying the ashes”
Sudden death... then what? 