27th November is David’s birthday. He would be eighty. Gwil, Larissa, Alun and I spend a very pleasant evening together and we talk to Huw on the phone. As always on David’s special days it is fish and chips for tea, and I bake a coffee and walnut cake. We watch “Kind Hearts and Coronets”, David’s all-time favourite film.
The WG’s top tip: A fish and chip supper is a great way to remember a loved one. Nobody can be miserable for long with a big plate of fish and chips – which, of course, always evoke lots of happy family memories.
How to choose a poem for David? – a nice bit of George Herbert, perhaps (Spywood connections) or Edward Thomas (Wandsworth and Welsh connections). The Revd Eli Jenkins from Under Milk Wood maybe (a bit too sentimental.) A proud Welshman, David was a keen rugby fan – we spent many Sunday mornings on the touchlines of southern England watching Huw and Alun play for London Welsh, and many tense afternoons in front of the telly during the six nations. And David used to love belting out hymns in church or chapel. I think it has to be Calon Lan. We played the tune at David’s funeral as we came into the church. It has a beautiful line about rising to heaven on wings of song. (Click on to the top right image and move the red line back to start)
(By the way, Isabelle and Caitlin have daffodil hats – bought by their loving Granddad for a Wales – Scotland game.)
Christine update
Thank you, everyone for your lovely emails, and many apologies for delays in replying over the last couple of weeks. In general, things are going well for me, but I am starting to feel very worn down by tedious side- effects. However, I am feeling better now and I hope to catch up with everyone soon.