Too early

We seem to have been supporting others of late as news of recent deaths or expected deaths were announced, both young deaths.

The first in need of a shoulder was a friend at the golf club. His long time golfing partner had died just 58. Our friend was wandering around the golf club telling all he knew & that’s a lot – he’s been a member since childhood so now, being retired, he knows just about everyone there. No matter what you said to him, no matter how you tried to distract him, he just wasn’t taking it in. He was stunned into a daze. This was a death that came out of the blue, very unexpected.

Then yesterday our cruising friends were told that the daughter of one of their neighbours had just been given the news that she had lost a battle with cancer & had just 6 months to live if she was lucky. She is just 52. Our friends pleaded with us just to talk some nonsense, something to make them laugh a bit, just to distract them. We did our best.

I couldn’t help thinking of those we’ve lost too young. First in my thoughts was my brother, just 49 when he died. Then there were friends from the Pub – Alan 49, Dave 56, Nelson around 60 - a neighbour Geoff 56, a lady who used to help me when we lived in Arnside, who, still in her 40s, having been diagnosed with lupus, drowned herself in Lake Coniston. All still missed & loved even though some of the deaths were over 20 years ago.

On the better side of things, I’ve just been making up some beefburgers for dinner. They’ve been flavoured with tomato ketchup, English mustard & Worcestershire sauce. When I cook them, half way through, I will top them with some chorizo slices & some brie. Some raw tomatoes & onion will join them in the baps. We’re not great burger eaters but once in a while they’re just the thing. And these should be juicy with those extra flavourings in them.