One of the privileges of being a Salvation Army Officer is the honour of sharing in families ‘tender’ moments – whether that be a birth, wedding or funeral.

Today, Nigel & I travelled to Frinton to lead a service of Thanksgiving for the life of Tony Rowe – father of a good friend of ours.  There was a good crowd that turned up to support and offer their own memories of Tony.  Yes, stories were abounding and all quite funny.  Throughout the service and the refreshments Tony’s urn sat on the windowsill and actually I thought that very fitting; especially when the grandchildren released two balloons in memory of their grandfather.  I could visualize Tony watching the proceeding from his comfy position on the windowsill – watching his grandchildren and watching the balloons float away.

"Time is too slow for those who

wait, too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve,

too short for those who rejoice,

but for those who love,

time is eternity."