Death, the great equalizer

As the stars of my childhood drop like flies, first Michael then Dumbledore, and now Whitney I can’t help but think death may not be that bad. When people's time on this planet comes to an end, there is a renewed sense of appreciation, for their contribution to society. Take Whitney, I have not listened to her stuff in years, and all of a sudden I hear her music everywhere I go and am actively seeking it out. You can take the–oh it's such a shame route, but actually is that the best way to look at death? Besides if we all lived on this earth for eternity we would be in trouble, I mean we treat each other so badly anyway. Imagine a sex slave I am pretty sure she would not want to do that job forever. Death brings us the peace we strive for, but so rarely find in life.

To those that are left behind they normally have a renewed desire to make the most of the time they have. When my dad passed a few years ago, slowly his faced faded from my memory, but there is always something that will bring me back to his face, to the flat he called home for so many years: Golden Virginia rolling tobacco. We live on not just in the hearts and memories of others, but also in smells and touch. I personally believe life is such a gift. I can't wait to have kids, because as with most gifts life is worth sharing. However, I have had a happy life. As Jerome Crabb put it: Dying is like coming to the end of a long novel–you only regret it if the ride was enjoyable and left you wanting more. As both a writer and a reader, I can really identify with that.

An update from Bradford: Is that a light I see?????

It has taken over five months, but I can finally see a light at the end of this extraordinarily long dark tunnel. Finances are in a better shape than they have been since I moved to Bradford. The mission trip is to Serbia has been paid for with generous donations from various parties, family and one very generous anonymous donation of £200. Even better news by mid march I should have the money to send the book off to the editors-one last time. I will soon be starting the football project in Bradford, which I am extremely excited about! Not even the snow and the chaos it brings can dampen this man’s mood! If anything this experience has undoubtedly given me more respect for church planters, it's not easy upping sticks and moving half way up the country. It creates chaos for at least for the first half a year. The dust has finally settled, and I once again am back to my reasonably content state. I am working on a short story at the moment, it will be a children’s story. Apologies for the delay in posting The Forgotten, I have finally found someone who is capable of turning it into HTML format for Kindle. I am going to set a bold date of the 31st of February to get it online by. Anyone with an IPAD or Kindle should be able to read it.