29 April 2008
“Four tins of baked beans”
Over the past three to four weeks I have been thinking that I want to dedicate this whole journey to somebody or something that had an
impact on my life. I had spoken to a friend on that very subject, but had not come to any firm conclusion until now...
Two people, while I have been on my search, have stood out in my mind, a guy called Lou in his late 20’s. I met Lou while I was a trip to Lourdes with ACROSS. Lou was a doctor, who had been taken ill with a brain tumour, which had been operated on and meant he could no longer be a doctor, but it did not stop him been a human being.
Lou stood well over 6’2, quiet, very handsome, strong, a very good listener and had learned to play a trumpet. While we were away on the pilgrimage to Lourdes I had a birthday, and while we were having dinner in the hotel that night, I heard behind me, a trumpet it was Lou playing happy birthday. I have never forgotten that special moment he gave me. If I can get a copy of Lou playing Happy Birthday on his trumpet, on to this blog I will. Lou died last year and is greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Then I had another thought. Most, if not all of you, will know that I travel to Lourdes with an organisation called ACROSS. Lourdes is where I wish my ashes to be scattered. This made me think of dedicating this challenge to St Bernadette.
This afternoon I came home after been out all day, and there, at my back door, were 4 tins of baked beans, no note, but I knew what those 4 tins meant. You see, my church of St. Andrews, who you will gather, know all about my trip, and as I have already told you, have donated £150 to my expenses. In the church magazine Tiding, in February, someone had put out an appeal to anyone who would like to support me even more, to donate dry rations to my appeal. I must confess, I had not read February’s Tiding all the way through, and only knew it was there when someone from church on Sunday, asked me what I wanted, I was taken aback, but not surprised that the offer was made, such is the friendship that we have at St Andrews.
This whole E2E challenge would not be happening, if it was not for friends, some I know, like Muriel, Jack, my care team, some I have not met but have emailed and spoken to like Wendy, Jane & Hadley to name a few. Some new friends I will meet along the route.
This evening I spoke to a very close friend who is feeling a bit under the weather and friends are rallying around to help her.
This made me think that this entrance in my blog should be about friendship and the meaning of friendship.
I was once asked how you can tell a friend. The answer I was once told by a friend, ‘A friend is someone you do not have to say sorry to’
To all of my friends, who I know now, the ones I am to make, this whole journey is dedicated to you all and with Gods help and a good breeze, this Alber Adventure and me, will make it from Lands End 2 John O’Groats.
Now where is that trumpet recording?
God bless you all.
“Four tins of baked beans”
Over the past three to four weeks I have been thinking that I want to dedicate this whole journey to somebody or something that had an
impact on my life. I had spoken to a friend on that very subject, but had not come to any firm conclusion until now...
Two people, while I have been on my search, have stood out in my mind, a guy called Lou in his late 20’s. I met Lou while I was a trip to Lourdes with ACROSS. Lou was a doctor, who had been taken ill with a brain tumour, which had been operated on and meant he could no longer be a doctor, but it did not stop him been a human being.
Lou stood well over 6’2, quiet, very handsome, strong, a very good listener and had learned to play a trumpet. While we were away on the pilgrimage to Lourdes I had a birthday, and while we were having dinner in the hotel that night, I heard behind me, a trumpet it was Lou playing happy birthday. I have never forgotten that special moment he gave me. If I can get a copy of Lou playing Happy Birthday on his trumpet, on to this blog I will. Lou died last year and is greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Then I had another thought. Most, if not all of you, will know that I travel to Lourdes with an organisation called ACROSS. Lourdes is where I wish my ashes to be scattered. This made me think of dedicating this challenge to St Bernadette.
This afternoon I came home after been out all day, and there, at my back door, were 4 tins of baked beans, no note, but I knew what those 4 tins meant. You see, my church of St. Andrews, who you will gather, know all about my trip, and as I have already told you, have donated £150 to my expenses. In the church magazine Tiding, in February, someone had put out an appeal to anyone who would like to support me even more, to donate dry rations to my appeal. I must confess, I had not read February’s Tiding all the way through, and only knew it was there when someone from church on Sunday, asked me what I wanted, I was taken aback, but not surprised that the offer was made, such is the friendship that we have at St Andrews.
This whole E2E challenge would not be happening, if it was not for friends, some I know, like Muriel, Jack, my care team, some I have not met but have emailed and spoken to like Wendy, Jane & Hadley to name a few. Some new friends I will meet along the route.
This evening I spoke to a very close friend who is feeling a bit under the weather and friends are rallying around to help her.
This made me think that this entrance in my blog should be about friendship and the meaning of friendship.
I was once asked how you can tell a friend. The answer I was once told by a friend, ‘A friend is someone you do not have to say sorry to’
To all of my friends, who I know now, the ones I am to make, this whole journey is dedicated to you all and with Gods help and a good breeze, this Alber Adventure and me, will make it from Lands End 2 John O’Groats.
Now where is that trumpet recording?
God bless you all.
