Michael….

Another service today to remember another friend. We are grateful we knew Michael.

Michael died 20 months ago at the beginning of the pandemic. Eight people could attend his funeral; his brother, two relatives and a good friend of his, the celebrant, the organist and two pall bearers who stayed for the service.

Today, back at our old church, there must have been forty there. Michael was quite a unique character, probably today we would say he was on the ASD spectrum. I grew up with him in our wonderful youth group, he being a considerably older member always with knowledge to impart and puns to make us groan.

One of his many gifts was photography and today a very few of the 4000 plus photos he left behind were shared. Photos of camps we went on, walks, meals, football and rounders games, beach volleyball, and beautiful scenery.

And so today, after the service and the more serious and sad part, because he will be muchly missed, we shared more memories of Michael. We laughed at a slide show, how much we’d all changed/ grown older, happy to see friends from back then that we no longer see, memories reignited. And all possible because Michael was always there with his camera.

Again, I’m glad I take photos too. They are precious beyond words and in my case, however much my subjects complain, we love to look back and remember.

Thank you Michael. Now rest in peace.