20th March A real body blow

 

As a minister death is something that I deal with quite often. Most of them are outside of the church and come with requests to take funerals. Other are as to be expected people (and their immeadiate families) who have been part of the congregations I minister too. Mst of the time I manage to deal with those events  okay. Today was not one of those times.

Receiving news just after 8.30am that one of my congregation had died at home overnight came as a real boy blow. Having been suddenly diagnosed wth a serious illness back late last year, the response to treatment appeared to be going well. Out of hospital after a period of isolation due to a reduced immune system, and now back home, I had only been to visit 10 days ago, when 'they' were, despite having lost some weight, in good spirits.

We enjoyed a good chat for an hour over a cup of coffee and I left thinking things were looking positive. The phone call earlier today proved that I was wrong and really knocked the stuffing out of me. Breaking the news at the church coffee morning later this morning was no easy task either but I felt it was something I needed to do to as many people in person as I could. And the reaction of those I told either in person or later via e mail was equally as shocked.

Just shows that no matter how prepared to deal with a death you think you are, you are not. Rest in peace Andrew.

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