The adjacent photograph is of my precious mum and dad, taken several years ago (I've lost track of the date - as it's a scanned-in glossy print).
My mum passed away just over 4 years ago and sadly, my dad also passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge - just a few days short of his 79th birthday.
I've not posted a 'blog' for some considerable time, for various reasons, but the death of my dad has prompted me to mark the occasion as another significant 'milestone' in my own life's journey.
I share their Christian faith, so although it's obviously sad to see them 'leave us' physically, we also trust and believe that this is only a 'temporary' parting - and we are free to not only celebrate the lives they have lived, but also rejoice in the fact that they are now in a better 'home' and one where I will meet them again, when it's my turn to die!
You will recall the expression that there are only two 'certainties' in life; death and taxes! Well, death obviously comes to us all, but it has no 'sting' or induces no real 'fear' for those whos trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection signalled a victory over our 'last enemy' - namely 'death'.... Death itself has been 'swallowed up in victory'!!
This stated 'victory' is why I have titled this 'blog' as "Pastures New!".... The point being that both my parents are now in a new setting - a new home, if you will.
It was a privilege to have been with my dad in his last few hours, together with my two sisters, Hilary and Alison, and also my brother Christopher. During that time, I read three bible passages aloud to my dad (I have every reason to think he could hear me). They were from Isaiah 40 and 53 and Psalm 23.... Please do read them.
We now begin the process of dealing with my dad's will and estate, but with a loving and easy-going family, it poses no fears or worries!
I would like to pay tribute to all those staff that looked after my dad at Addenbrooke's Hospital, together with all those that visited, sent cards, phoned, messaged - or were simply 'there' in whatever capacity to offer us their precious support.... Thank you all :) xx