Families….can’t live with them…can’t live without them! That’s the somewhat unfair jibe that is often used. Family is important – but what is family? And how large should families be? I have heard the extremes on both sides – from the man who thought you were sinning if you didn’t have at least double figures in terms of children; to another who looked at one of my children and then said that she reminded him of why he was glad he didn’t have any!
On this day of my father’s funeral – I don’t think I have ever been so thankful for my wonderful, dysfunctional (in my view all families are dysfunctional to some degree – and we are no different!) family. The support that my mother has received from children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins etc has been wonderful. I thought about this when I saw this beautiful reflection from Colin Brazier on GB TV – its only four minutes – but incredibly moving and insightful.
Families bear one another pain and share one another joy – just a couple of days after my dad died, our son Andrew posted this…Andrew and Caireen had a lovely baby girl, Elianna (‘God has provided’).
For those who asked…..my fathers funeral will be at 11am (UK time) today. The details are here:
The Funeral Notice is as below:
Loved the Colin Brazier viewpoint! Thanks!
Dear David, we’ve not met though I am an avid and appreciative reader of your blogs- for which I thank you very much.
I will be remembering you and praying for you this morning (BST) as your father’s funeral is held and in the tears and joy that is part of our experience as people, but more deeply and truly, we experience as God’s people may glory go to Him through the Robertson family. From another dysfunctional and graced family xx
Thank you for putting the details online. I’ve been attending the Zoom funeral. The sound for your tribute is quite echo-ey – please would it be possible to put your tribute in the blog? If it’s too personal then that’s fine. I wanted to hear more about your father. God bless you in your mourning.l
Yes – will do so later today!
This is great. I would love to see more things like this. Response of child no 2/5 in our house: “Siblings are great! It just takes about 10 years to get used to them!”
By several measures , Utah is the most successful state in the USA and it is also the most religious in terms of LDS Church membership and attendance , not to mention numerically large family formation and low levels of serious crime.
Of course , to share in this success , Mormon votaries must tithe and entertain a very recent theological fantasy re the existence of an all – American Prophet with the distinctly un – biblical name of Joe Smith.