Goodbye to Ruth

As ever before a big day, I hardly slept last night, I had toast at 2 am and cereal at 4.30. By the time my alarm went off in the morning I was in a deep sleep, typical.
Thank you for all your good wishes yesterday, it felt so good to have your support today. The funeral was at 11.30 and I was in the cathedral at 10.45, I wasn't the first though and Ruth was there too.
The congregation gathered slowly and amongst the hush there were greetings amongst friends too. Ruth had left the whole service well organised and it all went to plan, which would have pleased her. There were six Bishops present and at least 3 blippers, Anrola and Blethers as well as me. The feeling amongst many of us was, that this was wrong, we were not supposed to be at Ruth's funeral the plans had been for her to conduct ours!
Bishop Kevin who was a good friend and supporter of Ruth was the Celebrant and gave a wonderful eulogy which led us through tears and laughter. The clergy were out in force saying goodbye to a well loved colleague. There was incense and asperges and the singing was beautiful too. Her boys did her proud and coped very well with their mum's motley selection of friends.
I had opted not to take my new stick to the cathedral as I didn't want to forget it on its first outing so Colin drove me to and from the service.
The weather held out for much of today and although I woke to a sprinkling of snow we had sunshine till after 2pm, since then things have deteriorated with snow, hail and rain and bitter temperatures.
My blip is of my Mother's Day flowers from Kathryn and today's order of service. The roses wouldn't have triggered Ruth's hay fever so she'd be content.