A GOOD LIFE

Is there such a thing as a good death?

I doubt it as regardless of how pragmatic we are somewhere, deep down we all believe that we will live forever.

Today we buried The Older Girl (The Old Girl's mother). Well, when I say we buried her it was actually a cremation at Aberdeen's only crematorium.

The Old Girl, in her usual efficient and capable manner (thinly disguising the tremendous upset she was experiencing) conducted the ceremony and delivered a moving eulogy. I was very proud of her. Her strength and honesty was a revelation to the attendees who were used to the platitudes normally delivered by priests, vicars and celebrants. I added with a small eulogy and read out letters from distant relatives. Afterwards some attendees approached me and said " well that was different" (hopefully in a good way).
We, and The Older Girl were not wrapped up in religion and didn't want all the "Jesus saves" and "being embraced by god" claptrap that mars some send-offs

The Older Girl left us earlier than expected (March 27th 2014 at 79 years). We spent 3 marvellous weeks with her at Christmas/New Year only a couple of months back and we struggled to keep up with her when walking around the city. She is/ was fit and an accomplished hill walker.
In her lifetime she has travelled extensively, lived in Scotland and New Zealand, had a great interest in people and new places and embraced living to the full through music, wine, food and dance.

 ................. A good life.