Yesterday we travelled into East London.
A very special day.
Our friend Simon died 20 years ago - age 35.
Yesterday was a day of remembering him and
weeping yet again as I remembered his, and our, LOSS.
Not only did we spend much of the day with him &
his close family Ann Ben and Mae
but also with family members from Ireland
His Mother & Brother
BUT ALSO his work mates - Social Workers as he was!
They were there too - with our group of 'Level Five' friends -
all who could make it.
We had a service in Church.
Then we all visited the graveside with Mae, Ben and family playing their fiddle music as we all tapped our toes.
Afterwards we travelled back to his family home for drinks and food - and again remembering Simon - much loved.
Not only the day yesterday
but this morning awake
I spent the first two hours in bed reliving the day
and his most generous life.
It is 39 years since myself & the L5 group met him.
His death hit us all hard.
We are as close, as a group, as an intimate family could be.
We loved him.
We LOVE him.
We will never forget him.
Simon and his close L5 friend Bob
used to drop in on us when we live in the East-End of London E16. -
and later when we moved to Romford YMCA.
They cleaned our plates and fridge of food
and the leftovers of our two girls.
They were family - always welcome - so giving.
In so many ways we miss him.
It will take me so much internal churning time to process the day.
You have not heard the last of Simon !
BHP
