A Hard Afternoon

Several O-Lighters attended the very moving service celebrating the life of the young lad who died as the result of a motor accident a couple of weeks ago. There were heart-rending moments as grandparents and parents got out of the car and waited patiently to enter the Chapel. What testimony to this young lad's life that there were several hundred people there, mostly young people but older folk too - possibly his teachers. Far too many people for everyone to fit into the Chapel.

Young people cried, make-up ran, emotions ran high, and tributes relayed by the loudspeakers to everyone outside, spoke of meeting the lad again, 'somewhere, wherever he is'.

That evening we met again on The Vyne field where there was much sadness - perhaps only a half-dozen or so kids turned up. It's dark now at 7.30 so no surprises there. One or two kicked a ball but others just wanted to chat.

Last night, in Old Woking, some of our group met with lads there, who also knew the young chap who had died. Their opening comments related to the previous days' events and much sadness was expressed. One of those who spoke last night had been one of the older lads who had said 'don't come back' at the end of the last football session we held there a few weeks back. Last night he seemed pleased to talk!

Our prayers must be with the family of the young lad who died, and his mates. His circle of friends extended around Woking and his death has touched each of them individually. Maybe, just maybe, his fate will resonate with all or many of them and will help them to value their present life, as well as their life eternal. The lad who died may just help all of his mates in a very special if unintended way.