Uncle Eric

Life is what hits you around the back of the head while you are busy making plans.

Just five days ago his ears should have been burning as Mark (myself and many others) worried about life ahead for an increasingly frail 91 year old.

It happened quickly. Mark had to work hard to keep up. Trying to support my friend/cousin I was always slightly behind the wave as Eric succumbed to pneumonia. This great old man, much loved by many, left us peacefully surrounded by his family.

Note for Uncle Eric: Thank you for your patience with two squabbling little boys. I sincerely hope that we repay your efforts with our enduring friendship.

My blog is about life. Death is part of life. We know that, but it is still hugely hard to say goodbye to those who were the adults in our lives as children. We remain their children is the lesson.

The best way to honour them I think is to remember them with love, square our shoulders and live life the best we know how. They leave a hole that cannot be filled though.

All energy is borrowed. We have to give it back, or pass it on.