As I have commented, more than once in my forays into the blogosphere, I am now at an age when people I once knew well, respected highly and over a long period, die. When I can, I then get to attend their funerals with the primary aim to pay my respects and as a bonus I get to meet folk I knew in the past, often having not seen them for a long time. Yesterday, for the first time, I had that experience twice. The words of John Donne sounded in my ear!

In the morning, I attended a somewhat traditional thanksgiving service of Graham Jones, at Leigh Road Baptist church, along with suitable tributes. I first came across Graham as a thirteen-year-old, when attending the Boy Covenanter Group that his dad ran. It combined both Bible teaching and recreational activities. In his younger days, Graham was quite the sportsman, excelling at cricket, which he carried on long after. I recall playing Graham table tennis but never able to beat him. Then there was our involvement at Coleman Street Chapel until he left to go to university. We would bump into each other occasionally over the years. He started his own solicitor’s practice in my town. He also became my solicitor. He was quintessentially old school in his approach (something I miss). I recall him as someone who was honest, kind, gentle and generous.

In the afternoon, I attended the well turned-out and less religious in content funeral service of Martin Templeman, at Southend Crematorium. I first met Martin as a twelve-year-old, after my family had moved house and I transferred to the school that Martin attended. We were in the same class for the next three years. We moved in different circles but I found he was a decent sort. One of Martin’s claims to fame was he was a tenacious footballer, playing an important part in our school’s footballing success. Martin left school at the first opportunity, as a fifteen-year-old, and our paths did not cross for a long time. He set up his own building business as a builder with many skills and gained a reputation as a dedicated, decent craftsman. We met again recently when he did work at my church. It was where he did his last job before retiring last year.

I have deliberately kept my tributes to Graham and Martin, two quite different personalities but both much missed, short. Besides being made to reflect on the brevity and uncertainty of life and the necessity of making the most of the few days that remain, I am pleased to pay this, albeit brief, tribute as well as to lift up their families and friends in my thoughts and prayers. In doing so, Donne’s words come to mind when applied to Graham and Martin: “Any man’s death diminishes me”, as well as reflect on his words: “never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee”.