Been to a few funerals, memorials recently. Some may say a few too many.

Sadly I've missed a few too. That chance to pay "last respects". I like that as a phrase, it means what it says.

Former mayor, Dot Walsh, was a passionate character. Passionate about helping people. Councils these days have targets, Key Performance Indicators, inspections, criteria, assessments etc ad nauseum.

But not for the Dots of this world. If an eyesore needed tidying up, some children needed a bit of help, a bus stop was in the "wrong" place, that would get the irrepressible Dot going!

Old Tom, well into his 90s, always at "dos" up at the Golf Club, always up for a chuckle & a yarn & a tipple. He'd had a long working & family life, done his military service, probably served in the Second World War. It was always worth listening to what he had to say.

Annie Harwood, who was taken from us too early, in her early 50s. A dedicated, inspirational tutor at the College. Annie was a true champion of learners who needed additional support or encouragement to given them a better start in life. She was passionate too, that no one should be written off, dismissed & with determination, & a smile, she move mountains to make a difference.

This week found us in the Cathedral again for a Memorial event for Steve Weaver, formerly a senior Exec Officer in Blackburn, before becoming Chief Exec at Blackpool. Steve worked hard, faced up to difficult situations, was prepared to be unpopular, got things done. Like us all, he wasn't perfect, had his foibles & faults.

Of course, many others have passed away recently & they will all have their stories, their successes, their failures, a story to tell.

Some tears have been shed, some fond memories reminisced about, some stubbornnesses reflected upon, some scrapes chuckled about.

If we do only pass this way once? Hadn't we better make the most & the best of it?