The Celebration of a Life

Hi Everyone

Last week we travelled nearly two hundred miles to a f------. He was a cousin on the Senior Partner's side of the family, and like me he was approaching middle age. I refuse to call the occasion a f------ as it was much more than that; it was the celebration of a life. We had music, photographs, smiles, laughter, applause and most importantly, the involvement of his family rather than listening to a eulogy presented by someone who hardly knew or, sadly on many occasions, by someone who had never met him. As well as being a family man and a good guy, he was also a sportsman, playing both football and cricket to a high level, although he was never a paid sportsman. Instead, he combined his sporting achievements with a career as a lecturer in electrical engineering. His wife, sister, son and granddaughter all made lovely, warm contributions before a friend listed his sporting achievements. Among his many accomplishments he played football for England at amateur level and went on a three month tour of Australia with the MCC cricket conference team. After his playing years, he became a coach to many young players for over twenty years. As he told me, he thought that he had finally made it when he went to the Lord's cricket ground in London, the home of cricket, where he could gain access without showing his identity pass as the security officers knew him. RIP cousin.

The Senior Partner went to a friend's funeral. She was one of two sisters who lived together in their later years. After the church service, the family and friends went back to the house that they had lived in to reminisce about her life. I expect that the Senior Partner took full advantage of the sandwiches and cakes on offer so that she would not have to cook a meal later. It was then that she spotted something that she had given to them as a present some years earlier. Now I think that I have mentioned at some point in this Rubbish in the past that the Senior Partner was tight with money, but what she did next amazed even me. She asked the remaining sister if she could have it back. In the circumstances, what could the poor lady say so the Junior Partner was duly instructed to load the present into the car. Not sure what happened to it next, but I am pretty sure it did not come our way.

Back in 1960, I left the timber and joinery company where I had worked since leaving school to work for a local builder as a Surveyor/estimator to gain experience. The company, which employed about seventy staff, was owned by two brothers, one a joiner and the other a bricklayer of dubious ability. I worked there for the next four years and as well as gaining much needed experience, I discovered that I could fill this Rubbish for a whole year with the funny and amazing things that went on. The joiner brother had a hobby, he was a funeral director. Late one afternoon the small company van screeched to a stop outside my office with the joiner informing me that he had got a dead body in the back that was rapidly expanding and was in danger of bursting. He then disappeared into his house to change into his 'black', which was obviously appropriate with a dead body in the van. He then sped off to the mortuary, but as it was late afternoon, I did not know what then happened until the next day. As he drove to the mortuary, he was stopped by a police car as he was speeding. He explained the circumstances to the officer who predictably took the view that "we have a right one here". The officer then instructed him to get out of the car to find that in his rush to change into his black, he had forgotten to put his shoes on. I bet the policemen could not wait to get back to HQ to relate the story. The good news is that the body did not burst, at least there was no evidence of it when I drove the van the following day.

Just a Thought :

I kept wondering why the cricket ball kept getting bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.

The man who owned the Odean cinemas died recently. His funeral was at 2:10, 4:40 and 8:10.

My friend went to the funeral of Optrex's inventor recently. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Brian