Signalling goodbye

It would be wrong to suggest that I am spending my time attending funerals but I am of an age when funeral attendance is periodic rather than rare and when the departed are, at times, younger than I.

The latest funeral was this afternoon. At least this time the departed was not of my generation but that of my parents. Whilst he was 87 years old, the death still came as a surprise given that it followed so soon - less than three weeks - after an unexpected and gloomy diagnosis.

It was a coolish autumn afternoon but the sun streaming from a clear sky was surprisingly warm. The view from the cemetery across Botany Bay included the unattractive sight of port facilities but with the more attractive water image in the further background.

Also in distant view were darkening clouds suggesting a storm in the offing. The edge of those clouds moved across the sun as we dispersed from the graveside on the conclusion of the burial. Within minutes of departure the sky had darkened completely and moments later heavy rain was falling. About twenty minutes later the temperature had cooled substantially and the sky had cleared again. For those who believe in these things a supreme being had signalled goodbye to a family friend.