Yesterday we went to a funeral. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we went to a memorial service held in Stowmarket Church in memory of Matthew Jack, who was husband of Ann's niece, Rebeccah. They had two children - Jacob, who is at Exeter University, and Megan, who is in her mid teens and still at school. Matthew was a teacher (sports master) at Claydon School. He was in his late forties, and always cycled the eight miles or so to school and back. He was out on Good Friday morning on his bicycle when he and a Land Rover were in collision and he died as a result. Stowmarket Church was crowded yesterday. It was, of course, a very moving service. I was particularly impressed that his widow, our niece Becky, was able to give a eulogy, as was their son Jacob.
I think Becky and Matt started courting in their late teens, and they seem always to have been a couple, so I was the more surprised to hear her quiet confidence when speaking of her husband; and although Jacob's voice shook a little at one stage, he recovered and played his part in the service manfully and well. That sort of thing restores one's confidence in the younger generation.
We've been in the habit of calling in on them, when we've been Stowmarket way (and vice versa), so we must make sure that we continue to stay in touch with them.
