Sunday 13 July 2014

A Day for remembering

Today we have heard of the death of a friend - always a sad thing.   C and his late wife R came to live in our village not long after we (my first husband and I) arrived up here from the Midlands.   They took over the village Post Office and Shop.

From that day on the shop became the hub of the village.   We went there for our papers in the morning and if anyone was not well, C would deliver the paper without being asked - somebody would have reported it to him in the shop.   Nothing was too much trouble for them.   R baked delicious goodies for sale - by the slice if that was all that was needed.   Old ladies had their orders delivered and their list collected if necessary.   When my husband was seriously ill and I was housebound C would call and make me go out for the afternoon, taking over the job of sitting with the invalid.   On market day he would call in for my fruit and vegetable order and leave it on the doorstep later in the day.

They had had tragedy in their own lives, losing their son at a very early age.

Eventually they decided to retire, sold the shop and moved on.   We all missed them terribly.   Some years later R also died and now, today, we have heard that C has succumbed to cancer.

I - and many others I am sure - feel a great sadness at the death of this humble, unassuming man, who was always smiling and good-humoured.   Good-bye C, I shall miss you.  It has been a priviledge to know you.

13 comments:

Cro Magnon said...

They sound like 'good' people.

Barbara said...

It's always so sad to hear of the passing of someone who was dear.
I'm sorry for your loss, but what a lovely tribute to your friend.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Weave,
I'm so sorry to hear the sad news of the loss of a good and kind friend. There are never any words to help or comfort but all I can say is that you must have many special memories of them both.
Will be thinking of you.
….. and, many thanks for popping in to see me. I think that it was quite a traumatic experience for our son and, of course, our daughter-in-law but, they seem to sail through it and we now have a beautiful granddaughter and a great after dinner story !! XXXX

Elizabeth said...

So sorry to hear of the death of such a good friend. More and more, I realize that humble, unassuming people are much more noble and interesting than so many people who take up space in the newspapers.
Think Gray's Elegy

Pondside said...

What a sweet tribute that was to a couple that seem to have given far more in life than they asked back.

Joanne Noragon said...

To use an old term, salt of the earth.

Heather said...

I am so sorry to hear your very sad news. It is rare to have known such a special couple. There must be many who mourn C's passing, but he and his wife must have left a legacy of many happy memories for all of you.

angryparsnip said...

What a lovely tribute to a wonderful friend. It seems they were much loved. What more can any of us ask for.

cheers, parsnip

Cloudia said...

And a privilege for us to meet him thorough your words. Something to live up to. Thanks



ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3

Gwil W said...

Two lives worth celebrating by the sound of it.

Linda Metcalf said...

Much loved good people are always missed...sorry for the loss of your friend.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Hello Pat,
I find myself tearing up just reading about those two good people and their lives of humble service.
You have written a very good tribute. I can tell you and many others recognized their goodness while they walked the earth -something that doesn't always happen, you know?
I am very sorry for your loss.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks to everyone. Sadly, the older one gets, the more friends one loses.