Today for the first time in my life I, and quite a few others, had to stand during a funeral as all the available seating had been taken. Now, that's quite a testimony to the popularity and to the character of the person who had died. I had only met Linda once but had worked with her husband, Al, and wanted to show some support, whatever that means. He, too, is one of the 'good guys'. He spoke warmly of his wife, of how she treated others, and of how others helped her with her own issues. It's always tough listening to a man eulogising his wife when they are still only middle aged with a family. It was even tougher listening to her son talking before Al. He openly admitted he was a young man with flaws and who had made errors. But he was equally candid about how his mum had always provided support and encouragement and had not dismissed him when he strayed. She offered him advice on how to correct his faltering path and how best to continue with his life. I'm sure Linda was proud of her son in life and I hope he believes that pride will always be around him in later life.
I can't help thinking that just about every adult male in the world would like to think their own mum treated them the same way and in their imagination, they are still a child cuddling up to her. I can still remember that softness and that fresh, 'clean' aroma of my mum when I was in my 40s getting my last cuddles.
