All things wise and wonderful…

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

All things Wise and Wonderful

The Lord God made them all.

This is a hymn that I tend to only come across “sparingly” nowadays, and probably more often than not, it’s either at an occasion where folk have absolutely no idea about the beauty of church music, or have never heard of Syd Carter, and so the organist tries to set a positive start, but follows is nothing but giggling and mutterings of “Oh wow! I sang this in school 28 and a half years ago!!”

I’ve now found another stamp in the “yes, that actually happened” -book.

The tune was the less popular “Royal Oak” tune on this occasion, and I have to be totally honest, I couldn’t sing it confidently without music. But whilst trying to figure out the melody, I was more confident on the Chorus, but was trying harder to get the verse.

I noticed during the chorus however that a significant voice (the service leader) was trying to fit William Monk’s Chorus to the other version!! Oh dear!

I am quite sure that the “Creative” musicians around could Mish-Mash the two tunes together, but the lack of knowledge on this occasion was very noticeable!

I bet those who know me, are expecting a giant big advert for Harvest services based on the title of this posting. And you are absolutely wrong!!! Although, I am looking forward to sharing Harvest Music written by Out of The Ark Music with the younger generations of our benefice!!!

Sadly, I sang All things B & B at the funeral of the lady who I could only describe as my Step-Nan.

We were never actually related, but you loved us like we were, and although perhaps I was too young most of the time to understand saying it back, but without you, I realise that you were as much as a Nan to me as my own Nan was. You even treated my Grandparents as family!!

It’s getting on for nearly 9 years since we lost Laurie, mums partner, who, was one of the best fatherly figures I could have ever had in my life. Again, I never called you dad, I was too late to actually tell you that I loved you like a dad, but you were the best!! You didn’t steal from your family like mine did, you loved us with all your heart, and you got that from your mum, whose love for everyone was so deep, so full, and so meant!!

None of us would ever go hungry, none of us would ever be able to pass through her house without any less than a cup of tea, many offers of more, and food as if we were the 5,000.

One of the most beautiful moments that I ever remember and as silly as it was at the time, it was your love.

I took Martin (her husband) out for breakfast every-so-often, and on one particular occasion I was coming from Wellingborough, so spotted the opportunity to pop into Ikea, as our stash of Ikea Sweedish Meatballs was running low.

Now, Margaret was a vegetarian. So not only did I feel it sensible to check if she had some space in her freezer for a couple of hours, but also Would she mind? Of course she wouldn’t! Perhaps she didn’t have space in the freezer, but she made space, but this is Margaret we are talking about, she emptied the whole freezer, and cleaned it from top-to-toe just to make sure my sweedish meatballs were ok!!

I think i also was sent home with 2 chocolate cakes, and a block of cheese!!

As I sit and remind myself of many memories, it comes back to me, that I spent most of my visits as a youngster in the back room, on the Yamaha organ. It only had an octave of pedals, but it got me started!!

Now that the funeral has taken place, it’s time for my brain to start thinking, and digesting my feelings. I think numb is probably the most accurate word!

There’s too much to say that I’m fogged up.

The years we had you in our lives were the best, and without you, will be without endless supplies of chocolate cakes, sherry triffles, Cheese, Tea, and the unconditional love that you sent us away with!

We made a good job of making you cry a lot, you got me back today!!! But they are tears of love and thanks for all the wonderful times we spent!! Even when you kept calling me Jason!!

Rest in Peace! X

Love you Nan x