A Cockney Rebel laid to rest

We went to my cousin's funeral today. He was killed whilst out cycling in late February, at the age of 42 and leaving behind a wife and two young boys.

It was such a moving and heartbreaking day. The eulogy was fantastic, long, colourful and wonderfully well delivered. It painted a picture of someone who really lived full-on and loved his family and friends. Hundreds of people turned out, it was standing room only, quite literally. He lived in a close-knit Kentish community that looks and feels like a spillover from South London and a huge number of the mourners were tough-looking, tattooed, black suited guys who looked like they could handle themselves - which made the fact that so many of them wept freely and copiously really poignant.

The title of this blip relates to the name of the name of the band who played "Make Me Smile", the song that was played whilst we all watched the images of his life on the big screen. It is also probably a good description of the man himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAoaVU3-ve0

This is a picture taken in the grounds of the crematorium, A rather beautiful spot on high ground looking out over the Thames estuary.

Hold your loved ones close for life is so unpredictable. Cherish every minute.