Yesterday we drove to St Neots to attend the funeral of our good friend John. John had been a teacher and church leader in St Neots before retiring to Lowestoft in 1997. Together with his wife Jean he joined our church; he became part of our church leadership team.
In more recent years Jean died, John suffered with dementia and moved back to St Neots. John died a month ago.
Pete, leading the service, reminded us of ‘the valley of the shadow of death’, of life’s dark times. Saying goodbye to John yesterday was a sad occasion.
But it wasn’t all sadness. Two things made me smile, representing the joy of yesterday…
…We sung great hymns, John’s favourites… ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘When I Survey’, ‘Amazing Grace’. We finished the service listening to another of John’s favourites – ‘When I See An Elephant Fly’.
At home John and Jean had fostered many children, at school he’d taught children with ‘Special Needs’, he’d helped adults who found reading difficult, at church he’d supported those in need… Giving up or mocking was never an option. He helped and encouraged the most unlikely flightless folks to fly.
…At the end of the service there were refreshments. In particular we enjoyed cake. John always enjoyed food… especially cake. John was very good at cake. Coffee and walnut cake was his favourite.
John was a good, decent, kind man who balanced his deeply held faith with action. John enjoyed life. I never heard him complain. He enjoyed preaching, running our home group, leading services in care homes… He enjoyed sport – especially cricket and tennis… He enjoyed being active – he walked everywhere visiting folks, doing stuff.
John believed that those that others might call ‘Dumbo’ could fly; he worked hard to make it happen. John believed that he could have his cake, and eat it with enjoyment – and was always willing to share his cake with others. I will remember John as a man of flying elephants and cake.
malcolmsmusings.org 
“ Giving up or mocking was never an option. He helped and encouraged the most unlikely flightless folks to fly.“
It sounds like John made a powerful impact, especially on many who needed a helping hand. It’s hard work, helping elephants fly, but quite rewarding to see it happen.
Yours is a beautiful and wonderful tribute, Malcolm. Thank you for sharing, and may God continue to comfort you, and many others , as they grieve the loss of such a precious person.
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John was an unassuming man whose influence was greater that he realised. Dementia took the John we knew a couple of years ago so in one sense the grieving of family and friends started then.
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My sympathy for the loss of your friend, John, and prayers for comfort to his family and loved ones. Your recollections are one of a man that made a difference. May the faith he showed comfort those that will miss him.
–Scott
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Thanks Scott. John certainly made a difference. In particular his example had a profound influence on me.
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What a wonderful tribute to a dedicated man! I’m so sorry for your loss, Malcolm. Flying elephants and cake – perfect!
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I will remember John in many ways, Wynne. Flying elephants and coffee and walnut cake seems a pretty good way to remember him.
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Sounds like a humble, compassionate life well-lived. I’m sorry for your loss.
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Thanks for picking out John’s humility and compassion, David. I learnt so much from him.
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What a beautiful tribute to a good man, a good friend. I hold you in my heart as you miss him.
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Thank you, Karen. We all miss him, but the good things that he left, the way he changed me and others, will always remain.
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