July 14 - Day 94 - 'Love is like a tree, it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being.' Victor Hugo

I know that if I keep giving you accounts of near accidents on my travels, before long I will have either my Dad or Jeff in a complete state every time I cycle - But!! This morning a black van decided to overtake a bus coming towards me on a fairly narrow bit of road. He put his hand up to either thank me or apologise but I’m not sure what he expected me to do in response, other than pray for survival. I also have to admit I didn’t indicate it was alright in response but instead a few choice words issued forth.

I then got to Millhouses Park just after a car and van had, it seemed, collided. Nobody seemed hurt but it made me very aware of the risks and I had to take extra care cycling over any debris, just as the police arrived.

We are all aware of our mortality and yet, despite many people still not finding it easy talking about death, certain events make us perhaps think more carefully about what is precious to us.

Today in 2005 was when Cicely Saunders died. She is best known for her role in founding the hospice movement. In her words, ‘You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.’ Many of us have been touched by the extremely valuable work of hospices and palliative care and the way care of those who are terminally ill has been transformed during my lifetime. The staff at St Luke’s Hospice, Sheffield where my Mum was for a short period last year, deserve all the praise - and the much needed donations/funding and I know that sentiment will be echoed throughout the country. Again in her own words, Cicely Saunders, explained the demands of this work as, ‘Watch with me’. ‘Our most important foundation for St Christopher’s (Hospice) is the hope that in watching, we should learn not only how to free patients from pain and distress, how to understand them and never let them down… but also how to be silent, how to listen and how to just be there.”

What better tribute can anyone, or any organisation, have than not just freeing people from pain and distress but being silent, to listen and just be there. It’s what people dedicated to the work of hospices do so effectively but it could also so easily describe the work of St Wilfrid’s Centre. If we can do those things for the next thirty years, much will have been achieved and if you and the wider community can accompany us on that journey, the task will be that bit easier.