26th May Celebration day

Reading TOM's copy of the TV guide from the Daily Mail on Saturday I discovered that today is Celebration Day'.

Held annually on the last bank holiday Monday in May, Celebration Day provides a dedicated opportunity to honour and celebrate the lasting impact of those who have inspired and shaped us, whether through personal connections, history, or culture, and whose influence continues long after they’ve died.

 

A new occasion, apparently this is only its third year, but in the midst of all the humdrum and days to 'commemorate' everything under the sun I thought this was a good one to explore and to reflect and celebrate somone who has had a transformative effect on my life. For those who know me you might know whats coming next.

They say that time is a healer. And I am sure that is true...given enough time. Just over 11 years ago came the news that I had been dreading receiving. The person I feel most blessed for having had the privilege of meeting during 'this life' passed away following a short illness. My dear friend Ian died at home surrounded by his wife and children, and supported by the love and prayers of those who knew him.  

Having battled increasing disability for nearly seven years, the body blow of being suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer was met by Ian with a dignity, sense of peace and awareness of God's presence that passes my understanding and which still astounds me today. And strengthened by his faith he died a wonderful death, slipping quietly away in his sleep just after 10pm on Thursday 3rd April 2014.

Through his words, actions, thoughts and prayers, Ian walked alongside me every step on this journey of faith, from receiving this call to ministry, through ordination and beyond. He was the wise old shepherd to this often wayward but now not quite so young or frisky lamb. 

He guided, supported, corrected, advised, comforted and challenged me over 17 years, during innumerable face to face meetings and also across the miles in conversations both verbal and electronic. Ian was my sounding board, my 'go to' guy, my spiritual guide, my soul mate. He was the one person who was always there, whenever I needed him. And equally important even when I didn't. And without him I have felt lost.

 
11 years after his death a hole still in my life remains. The wound is not as big, not as raw and perhaps not with me everyday but it is still there. Taking steps on this pilgrimage of faith without Ian has at times been incredibly difficult. And yet in one sense I know that he continues to travel on alongside me. For I am who I am, in part because of who he was. He was my soul mate. I loved him and I miss him terribly. 

So for me, today, on Celebration Day, it is Ian that I remember; remember and celebrate the time we had together. Thankfully my faith allows me to hold onto a hope. Not that we will see each other again, for I truly believe that we will. But that until the time when the wise shepherd is reunited with his lost lamb, Ian will currently be experiencing this, beautifully captured by Gerard Kelly. This is 'A marvelous healing'

it was a marvellous healing;
after the months of asking,
of waiting;
after the desperate, slow deterioration,
the warring tides
of faith and doubt:
to be released in an instant,
from every pain.

it was as if the very molecules of his flesh
had been infused, invaded,
with the life of God,
until he was filled, fit to burst,
with the Shalom, the peace,
of the Father's rule.

Limbs that had fallen flaccid with weakness
waved and danced with joy;
lungs that had so utterly failed him
sang out with strength and boldness.

he ran
through the unfamiliar sunlight,
drinking it in,
experiencing all at once
the thousand and one feelings
that for so long had been denied him.

it was a marvellous healing:
to be so totally restored,
made whole,
rebuilt.
it had just surprised him,
a little,
that he had had to die
to receive it.