Death

So last Wednesday I went to a funeral of Anne, who is the mother of my brother in law. She was someone close, she had been to our Wedding, Christenings, Birthday parties and every Christmas. It was very sad, I realised I had not been to a funeral for about 20 years, and as we all followed the coffin into the crematorium, emotions took over and I cried for the whole service.

I used to have a fairly laid back attitude to death, although since having children and getting older, I think it is natural to start facing your own mortality. The thought of leaving my loved ones to make that next journey feels me with fear and dread, and I hope that when the time comes I accept it and face it with the dignity and peace that Anne did.

Anne, may you be free of pain and also be in the knowledge that we will never forget you.

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

(Henry Scott Holland)