1 Yesterday morning I left the Hall conscious that I was on my way to the funeral of an OUBS colleague, one for whom I had affectionate recollections. At Oxted I met Julian Batsleer, and we made our way to the church in Limpsfield. We joined other members of the School who had travelled from Milton Keynes. We sang the hymns; we listened to the eulogy which had been written and delivered by his sister. We learned so much about the colleague, who lived alone and who, though gregarious, revealed little (or nothing) about his private life.
2 But there were distinctive features to the proceedings. Outside the church, standing against a grave, was a larger-than-lifesize blown-up penguin. A penguin. Then, as the pall-bearers came slowly from the altar we could all see that Mickey's hands were holding the front of the coffin and the back. The grave-digger had to allow for the extra length.
3 So the gathering in the nearby room was a bit of a do. There were other animals from the Disneyland menagerie. There was a popping of champagne corks. There was a sense of celebration, a celebration of a colleague who had been a much-loved uncle, and who, before he died, had made all the arrangements for his and his sister's planned visit to Disneyland.
3.1 One after another my erstwhile colleagues came forward to say Hello. The conversations were picked up where they had been left. One said that it was if I had never left. Others said much the same thing.
4 So I returned to the Hall in good spirits. I had attended the funeral, but I had been part of the following celebration. It - the gathering - was a tribute to the man who was celebrated. I shall write my thanks to the man's sister.
5 From the Hall to a client in Crawley; by the time that visit had been accomplished, my head was aching. It continued to ache. I told Liam as he picked me up. He was immediately sympathetic. The outcome was that he gave the news to the others that we would not be playing. He drove me home. Good for him.
6 The SSAFA AGM today was followed by a visit to a new client in Crawley, a visit which was followed by a visit to a man who is living in a tent close to the airport, a man who had been subject to an operation on his ankle earlier in the week and who is using two crutches.
7 I am now at home, and I'm waiting for Ashley.
Looking forward to see you soon.
Gettingabout
1 comment:
My goodness - long days filled with many thoughts.
My days are long, but of a different kind. However, there are but three more days to do.
Saturday and Sunday will be tiring as Isaac is here, Karstein is off playing golf over the week=end, so there will be much activity.
Amongst all else I have been dealing with my siblings about matters of money.
Will write more tomorrow if a window of opportunity as the bed beckons.
Au pair
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