A funeral for a friend

This crumpled groyne on Portobello beach is a suitable motif for our friend’s life whose funeral I attended today. The Canadian redwood from which this sea defence is hewn will be very difficult to replace - in fact those woodworking skills may no longer exist. I don’t know.

What I do know is that our friend’s life, curtailed by cancer, has rocked us all. Today’s service, despite its enormous sadness, also generated a great sense of resilience in all present as a life was mourned and beautifully celebrated. This storm damaged groyne that carries on doing its work just like our cherished memories of our dear friend are never forgotten .