Mary's Rowan

It was Mary's farewell this morning. I have known Mary for twenty years and, of course, it was a sad occasion but the funeral ceremony was peaceful and reflected her truly and sensitively. She was the first Scottish woman to judge the Obedience Class at Crufts, and was a leading dog trainer in the North East of Scotland. Many a chat we had over the garden fence about how to train dogs - Collies and Labradors in particular. My neighbour remarked that the blackbirds had left the rowan berries on the tree at the front of the crematorium - I had to make it my day's blip as it seemed they left the berries in deference to people like Mary.