Saturday, around quarter of one, we backed into a space near the town house in Strafford, and started walking towards the church. Dee wanted to walk in the shade on the green, so we looped through a couple of trees and held hands walking southwards on the green till we had to cross the street to the church. Of course, we were headed to another memorial service for an old friend.
This is our second one this year; the first was Tom Clark. This one was for Richard Wilson. Both of these services were of the “easy” variety, as Tom had passed 3 months before the service in Strafford, and Richard was 97 when he died. Both were also notably quirky people, so it was easy for people to tell stories that made everyone laugh. I learned a little about both, especially Richard, as his granddaughter read a lovely letter he sent Frances during WW2.
Walking towards a memorial service is always hard. You worry that either no one or too many people will come (we’re a little old to stand for a whole service!); you worry that you won’t remember people’s names; you worry you’re overdressed or underdressed. But as soon as you see people, even one’s you haven’t in ages, it becomes comfortable. I’m sure I look as much older as they all do. Dee doesn’t.
The walk back is usually ok, especially for a celebration service. It does give you a little time to process that people are wonderful and that we only see certain facets of people even when we know them well. Then, back in the car, back home, and into regular life again.
Tom's Walks 