I’ve just finished reading Rachel Clarke’s Dear Life – a doctor’s story of love and loss. I read an extract at the end of last year and knew I had to read it once it was published. It is a wonderful book. Rachel Clarke is the daughter of a GP. She found the idea ofContinue reading “28. Dear Life! Dying well in a hospice”
Category Archives: The risen Jesus
27. Rodin’s hands
We spent the Saturday in Paris just before Robert died in the Musée Rodin. It was a bright, early autumn day, warm with a gentle breeze, clear blue sky, signs of browning leaves. Many of Rodin’s sculptures are on permanent display in the garden of the house. Rodin had lived and worked there for manyContinue reading “27. Rodin’s hands”
26. The greatest banquet ever
Whenever I receive Holy Communion (and these days I usually do so with tears in my eyes), I’m reminded of the great banquet at the end of time. I also know that as we participate in this eucharistic feast, we are joining with all the saints. I feel close to Christ at this point. IContinue reading “26. The greatest banquet ever”
25. Let’s not think about death!
Every year, during the month of October, the city of Sheffield hosts Off the Shelf, one of the largest literary festivals in the UK. Well over 100 authors introduce their recently published book and respond in a Q&A session. I’ve been to several events this month. The most enjoyable was the Guardian sketch-writer John Crace,Continue reading “25. Let’s not think about death!”
23. Will William use a wheelchair in heaven?
The Castle was the first storybook I wrote. It was a series of short stories about the lives of Ben and Becky, aged 6 and 4. Dad is building the castle for Ben. It’s finished in the last chapter. As the children are being brought up in a Christian home, each story draws on oneContinue reading “23. Will William use a wheelchair in heaven?”
22.Death is so embarrassing!
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!”
21. Clothes fit for eternity
Two years ago I enjoyed watching the televised version of King Charles III, starring Tim Pigott-Smith. It explored the fault-lines between democratic and hereditary power. Newly acceded King Charles provoked a crisis by refusing to give royal assent to a piece of legislation. This caused a constitutional stalemate only resolved by Charles abdicating before hisContinue reading “21. Clothes fit for eternity”
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”
17. Caravaggio’s resurrection body
I’ve always loved this photo which has now become extra precious to me. I already had a copy of it but a friend resent it as soon as she heard Robert had died. It reminded me of the occasion when Robert gave a lecture at St Paul’s Finchley comparing Caravaggio’s and Rembrandt’s paintings of theContinue reading “17. Caravaggio’s resurrection body”
Sudden death... then what? 