A time to reflect

I don't normally do this,  but I wish to take the time in this blog to honour and remember a man who has been a major influence in my life and has suddenly been taken from us.

Although I first met him and his family in the capacity of my minister, time soon proved he was going to be more than that. I met him at the age that most adults fear, my late teens.  Instead of treating me as a child he was able to address me as a young adult. This was to develop  into me working for him,  alongside teaching his children music. At the time I was extremely grateful for the opportunity as I was beginning my life long battle with chronic illness.

He was able to support this struggle as he had personal experience with a chronic illness himself. He guided me through  more than one operation,  including the life changing ones which demolished the chance me to follow my musical career.

Unlike the stereo typical example of religious leaders he would appear in the unusual places, including the local community fair, where he passed on guidance on how to win in certain games. In return I enjoyed a glorious day of fun and mischief with his children at the local theme park. So much so I can't go on one ride with out remembering that day.

Even though his job meant he was to move away, we stayed in touch and as life changes I don't think I altered my faith in him and his family. When he returned to discuss his first pilgrimage to Spain it was clear nothing had changed in our friendship.

I was sad he was unable to travel to my wedding,  however he was very much there in spiritual presence having phoned several times before.  He did make it down a couple of years later for a mutual friends funeral. It was there I had to admit how ill I had become. Instead of sympathy or pity we ended up swapping notes and tips on how to get the most out of life.

That was the last time I saw him in person,  but the joys of modern technology and social media meant we were able to keep in touch on a regular basis. Sharing tales of adventures, lows of illness and matters of social conscious.

The last message was a jokey note regarding my new hair cut. That was two weeks ago.  I never dreamt that would be the last I heard from him.

This was the man who has seen me at my worse, stood by me when the odds were against me. He was the minister who confirmed  my mother and grandfather.  But was more than a leader, he was my first equal in life. The love for him and his family has never faulted  through the highs and lows from both sides.

I am still struggling to come to terms with the news I will never see or hear from him again. Worse still is the knowledge that if I am struggling I can only imagine how hard it must be for his family.

So I wanted to dedicate this page of my blog to the man who knew I could not only survive,  but be able to help others get through it. For he was a man who walked the roads of pilgrim's and did so not to preach about it but to share and inspire others.

REV PHILIP WREN, may you rest in peace and in the knowledge your work here on earth will continue.xx.