Sunday, March 25, 2007

The first day of summertime

It is Sunday evening and the first day of British Summer Time. It is a beautiful evening following a beautiful day of warm sunshine and birdsong. Here is a photograph of the sunset. I took it from my back garden a few minutes ago. It is beautiful. And I am sad.
A couple of days ago, the following message was posted on the blog of a young person whom I know slightly and admire greatly:
"My dad died the day before yesterday. Just like that. And as he would have wanted: out taking photographs....... The finest, most noble and wonderful dad in the world is no more. We are all walking around like ghosts, eyes chapped and burning. Love you, dad, so, so very much...."
I have been numb since I read those words:
- because I feel for the person who wrote those words, a person whose friendship I cherish;
- because I want to take the pain away but know that I can't.
And there is another reason: one day, the same thing is going to happen to my children. And there is nothing I can do before the event to make it easier for them to bear, any more than I can help the person who wrote those words above.
You will understand if I don't feel like being frivolous right now.

2 comments:

Mary Strachan Scriver said...

Having followed your blog for a few months -- though not being as faithful and enthusiastic as Mrs. Trellis -- I disagree that there's nothing you can do to help. Surely your attention and understanding count for quite a bit and are a comfort to your own children and the children of others.

Prairie Mary

Jake Allsop said...

Well, I hope so, Mary. I guess people are more resilient than I give them credit for.
Thank you for your post - infinitely more precious to me than the delirium of Mrs Trellis!