Dear Cardinale, dear friend, youngest of eight, and one of six siblings to enter religious life. Surely blessed, and now enjoying the eternal reward that all people of faith strive for. God rest your soul. REQUIESCANT IN PACE +
Larger than life and with so many memories; many forged in your latter years living amongst friends in India who sustained your very existence.
Back in 2007, at a celebration for my 65th birthday, in Jaipur, you
‘performed’ a poem in English by Khalil Gibran (suitably attired for the occasion, too), but it was a Rudyard Kipling introduction that shook the ground with its thunderous delivery. The princesses of Kanota amongst the gathered friends were at first alarmed, but then impressed. You loved to shock!
I choose another Kipling as a farewell tribute, dear friend.
LIKE WIND I GO
From the Rubaiyyat of Omar Khaiyyam
With them the Seed of Wisdom did I sow,
And with my own hand labour’d it to grow:
And this was all the Harvest that I reap’d—
“I came like Water, and like Wind I go.”
What a splendid photo of John and looking his enquiring self.
I first met John when he came to work as the staff counsellor at the London Times in the early ’80s; so we have enjoyed much friendship for nearly 35 years. I remember the boat race days on his boat at Hammersmith, trying to hold on to the TV lest it fall in the wake of the boats following the race and visits to the theatre at the New End. Then the many hours spent with me, using his NLP skills in helping me with some challenges I had at the time.
But how can I forget the larger than life John as my best man at our wedding in a Scottish Castle, even though the hamstring injury he thought he had was a massive tumour in his leg! I was privileged to join him later on his El Camino pilgrimage, as a thanks to God for his cure from the tumour.
A holiday with him in Oz and then to share his 70th birthday on the beach in Kerala! John was someone special and will always remain so in our hearts! He was sent to be with us for the appointed time and now we can rejoice in his onward journey, knowing that he will be safe in his Saviour’s arms.
All our love – Godfrey & Gill x