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News, December 2007Costa Brava Funeral reportOn November 21st we reported on the tragic death of a British holidaymaker and his son off cliffs, while watching stormy waves on the Costa Brava. The email came as a reply to news of the peaceful death of a (96 year old) Mathieson aunt: Dear Simon Sad to learn the news, but glad that she went apparently peacefully .... Tricia's email came on the eve of a harrowing day for me: Lyn, with whom I shared the driving (& a bedroom!) when we took disabled & wheelchair bound Sally to the Loire Valley in September this year for a glorious week's holiday, is the mother of Debbie Howlett. You may have seen, because it was in the national press in November, a report of how this freak wave had swept 2 children off a rock on the Costa Brava - the father (Symon) had rushed in to rescue them & one boy (the older, Thomas, age 12) was saved, but the father (age 32, so in fact younger than my Edward) & the little boy (Jay, age 5) were overcome by the strong seas & died before the rescue people could reach them .... I had been with Lyn on the Wednesday night, & again on the Saturday when she was chatting avidly about the forthcoming holiday her daughter & family was taking the next day. Lyn was in Sally's kitchen when the awful unbelievable telephone call telling of the tragic accident came through .... This last Friday was the day of the funeral. I had to scrape loads of ice off my car & as I drove to Sally’s through freezing fog I couldn’t help thinking, in my silly simplistic way, that even God couldn’t bear to look down & witness this dreadful occasion. I got Sally to the church in plenty of time (just after 10am & the service wasn’t due to start until 11am) but it was already ¼ full. St Mary’s church is normally buzzing – I have never known it so hushed & quiet. It soon filled up, & people had difficulty finding somewhere to sit – the choir stalls were filled …. but it was so so quiet .... The vicar of Christ Church (Little Drayton) took the service & he did an excellent job. ‘He ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother’ was played as those closest to Symon & Jay struggled with the heavy coffin down the aisle – but they were determined to do their bit. There was just the one large coffin & Lyn told me that inside it Symon had his arms around little Jay. I have never been among so many grown men weeping. Father Jim’s address touched a chord, for me. He used the analogy of a sudden power-cut: you find yourself floundering in the darkness, you are left without heat or any form of warmth, no means to cook, no light, everything familiar & that you take for granted is unexpectedly removed & you don’t know what caused this inexplicable deprivation & you don’t know when light will be restored … The reading was I Corinthians chapter 13 …. We didn’t attempt the journey to the cemetery – it’s quite a walk from St Mary’s & it was still awfully cold & I think I would have struggled with the wheelchair. But we did join Lyn & Debbie @ The Royal British Legion Club rooms …. So it has been a very very sad few days & of course the long & lonely & stony uphill journey for Lyn & Debs is only just beginning ..... Market Drayton is a town in mourning .... Anyway, I will of course be there on 14th for a much happier funeral, if you follow me .... Best Wishes Beth |