14/05/2022
Every now and again someone comes along and reminds us how very lucky we are and the beautiful Dame Deborah James has done that in technicolour this week.
She has collectively gathered us all in her glorious and unwavering energy, solely to remind us to live.
Like a worldwide weather-front, her waves of grace, dignity and peace have washed over us all.
There is no bitterness, no cries of ‘why me’ or talk of what is fair.
There is just the genuine passion to stay alive.
And the want to pass that passion onto us, now that she knows she cannot.
I have seen it affect us all this week.
I have cried my tears, I know you have too.
I have felt my heart constrict in sheer terror as I imagine having to leave my loves.
We all have.
But now I shall be living.
LIVING.
Not perfectly, not without mistake, not in a beautiful, magical way - just living in all its messiness and complication.
And living a little but more loudly too, because I feel Deborah would like that very much.
I hope you live a little more loudly too.
Every now and again, the world is graced by the footsteps of an earth angel.
Sent to remind us all that we may not be here for long but every second is for loving.
It’s vital we listen.
Then nothing has been in vain.
Donna Ashworth