Introduction

Read by Sue Groves

John met my mum late in life and I don’t think either of them were looking for, or expecting, to fall in love.  However, that’s what happened and the rest as they say, is history.
He gave my mum 8 of the happiest years of her life and for that, along with many other things, I will always be grateful to him.  He was always there with words of support and encouragement.
Over the years we became close – he used to say that I was the daughter he had never had, and for my part, he was like a dad to me.
I will love and miss him always, but I take comfort in believing he is now reunited with my mum.
John was a man who lived out his beliefs with integrity and honesty I’d like to share a poem with you entitled “This Life Mattered”

This Life Mattered

(written by Michael Josephson 2003)
This life mattered.  Ready or not, someday it all comes to an end.
There are no more sunrises, no more minutes, hours or days.
All the things collected, treasured or forgotten, pass to someone else.
Wealth, fame and temporal power shrivel to irrelevance.
It matters not what was owned or owed.
Grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies finally disappear.
Hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do-list expire
Wins and losses that once seemed so important fade away.
It no longer matters where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived
No matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Gender and skin colour are irrelevant
So what matters? How is the value of our days measured?
What matters is not what we bought, but what we built;
Not what we got, but what we gave.
What matters is not our success, but our significance.
What matters is not what we learnt, but what we taught.
What matters is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encourage others to emulate our example.
What matters is not our competence, but our character
What matters is not how many people we knew,
But how many people will feel a lasting loss when we are gone.
What matters is not our memories – But the memories that live in those who loved us
What matters is how long we will be remembered, by whom and for what
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident
It’s not a matter of circumstance, but a matter of choice

So Yes, John’s life, that we all remember with love today, truly mattered.

Rest in Peace John