Did you know it was the inaugural Celebration Day here in the UK today? Me neither, until I read this article on Friday. There have been so many special, precious people in my life who are no longer with us - and to be honest, I celebrate them in little ways most days. Every time I stand up to preach, I recall my parents and grandparents. When I choose a greeting card, I think of the way cousin Gillian always made even the simplest card special with her words inside, and the fact that she chose the card so specifically for each recipient. My Christmas tree ornaments include lots of really random items, each representing somebody significant in my life.
There are many stories on the website. Celebrities have nominated people - Richard E Grant chose his wife, Pru Leith talks of her brother. But I have decided rather to nominate someone I only met in person once. Dame Cicely Saunders. She came to Spurgeon's College in 1982, and she was utterly inspiring. Her belief that the quality of life left was
more significant than the quantity really resonated with me. Since then I have sat with countless friends and family members as they have ended their days in Hospices up and down the country, and thousands of
people throughout the UK have been really blessed by the Hospice Movement which Cicely started. I
believe she is under-recognised. You can read her story here
I choose to remember Cicely today, and thank God for her faith and determination. And I will celebrate by making a cake for the new Volunteer Chaplain at our local hospice. [That's Bob, and I am incredibly proud of him for taking on this role]Will you be celebrating somebody special today? Who, why and how?
There are many stories on the website. Celebrities have nominated people - Richard E Grant chose his wife, Pru Leith talks of her brother. But I have decided rather to nominate someone I only met in person once. Dame Cicely Saunders. She came to Spurgeon's College in 1982, and she was utterly inspiring. Her belief that the quality of life left was
more significant than the quantity really resonated with me. Since then I have sat with countless friends and family members as they have ended their days in Hospices up and down the country, and thousands of
people throughout the UK have been really blessed by the Hospice Movement which Cicely started. I
believe she is under-recognised. You can read her story here 
It's the first time I'm hearing (or reading about) Celebration Day. I usually remember departed relatives, especially my parents and stepfather, when I say my daily devotions and I usually remember them individually on the anniversaries of their deaths; most recently, it was my step-father (earlier this month).
ReplyDeleteI think it is a very new, British event. I tend to remember people on their birthdays
DeleteI didn't know about Celebration Day. It's a timely reminder. It was uncle's birthday on Friday and he would have been 78. I've started putting food in the Foodbank collection points in supermarkets on birthdays of those who have died, so next time I'm in I will add a pile of sweeties as well as something more practical as uncle was such a softie for kids.
ReplyDeleteI may take some time talking about the family stories with bear and perhaps writing them down. They may not be big and important to the world, but they are big and important to us. Thank you for sharing this.
I like the idea of adding sweets to the Foodbank donation! And yes, sharing the stories with the younger generation who never knew these people is important.
DeleteI hadn't heard of Celebration Day here. As well as family members, there are always special people to remember, some who have quietly been an inspiration and they come to mind from time to time.
ReplyDelete