Monday 24 February 2014

A Kind Act


©Priscilla Etienne Funeography

Last week I was at the funeral of an old neighbour who was everyones friend. The day went really well and people came from all over to pay their respects. I know the family were really touched by this, and I think that if he hadn't touched so many lives as well; as his family has, it would have been a smaller affair.

Among the mourners were three brothers who have just lost their dad, they haven't had his funeral yet, it's tomorrow. I approached them all, expressed my sympathies and told them I would be there for their dads funeral. Looking at them I got to thinking how difficult it must have been for them to be at this one. Grief can completely dominate our thoughts and actions, a lot of the time it renders us unable to  do very much it all. It takes an extreme amount of strength to watch such emotional proceedings at such a difficult time. 
There was a time in the past when many people did this. You'd bury your husband on Tuesday and be ready to support the next families' funeral on Thursday. These were times when communities were strong and strength of character even stronger. 
One of the brothers regularly turns up to support his friends at funerals. I have seen him at so many.

The night before the funeral is the longest and most tiring. My thoughts are with the Newhouse Family and I hope they find the same amazing strength they have so often shown to others in their time of grief. 

I dedicate this blog to John Newhouse. Rest In Peace.

See you at the next posting.