Adieu to John

Today was mostly about saying goodbye to our friend John, whose funeral took place at 12.30pm in St Luke’s. John, along with Roger who also died recently, was an unpaid (non-stipendiary) priest, and they had both given a great deal of help to our team Rector in covering the dozen or so churches in our benefice. John, Roger and my parents all moved to Tiptree around twenty years ago and were friends, so I had a particular connection and an affection for both of them. Incredible that the two Revs should die within weeks of each other. I’m sure they’re having a big theological discussion in heaven now. John’s funeral was a perfect reflection of him, and he had made known his wish that it should leave us all with the great Christian hope of eternal life as well as our fond memories of the man himself. John had been resident in a care home for the past three years with dementia. The last time I saw him there he did not recognise me, but was still as chatty and friendly as ever. The carers and other residents called him Father John. He was a great intellectual and a keen sailor, and the dementia put paid to both. As with Roger’s widow Daphne, we have all gathered round John’s lovely wife Jane. She won’t be short of friendship and company. The church was full, and the wake afterwards was buzzing with many friends and family.

Later on I went round to Christine and David’s for a shower and cup of tea. They’ve just moved Christine’s brother into a care home, and are now clearing his flat ready to put it on the market. They are both exhausted. My friend Alison and I will be helping them to sort through a huge collection of model cars, putting them back into the correct boxes. Hopefully there might be some value to them in an auction to go towards the frankly eye-watering care home fees.

The boiler engineer is booked to come back tomorrow afternoon - please send positive vibes that he might actually fix it this time! As the days have passed without heating, the bungalow has got colder and colder. Today, the temperature in my lounge was 15 degrees C. which is no fun to sit around in. However, my daffodils like the cold and are lasting ages, as can be seen in my blip.