It’s never easy when someone passes, as many of you out there know. It was the same with my wonderful wife Sheila who left us on 26th August last year. You will have noticed that I have not posted anything since then, and to be honest, I’ve done nothing with your favourite station, except to make the occasional structural adjustment to keep it going. There have been many repeats but I feel sure that they were as enjoyable to hear again as the first time they were broadcast. Apologies to all our intrepid and enterprising DJs who’ve been keen to communicate with you throughout this difficult time – and thanks to all of you who have remained faithful and kept listening!
Without whinging, I hope, I have to tell you that Sheila’s passing had a drastic effect upon me – I didn’t really want to get involved with anything – and sad to say, I didn’t really want the pressure of dealing with the station, or much else for that matter. I’m so grateful for the amazing support I received from Sophia who was there through all the trauma, my lovely family,, and the superb friends and community here in the Kincasslagh area – they all made a difficult situation so much easier! Father Pat officiated at a marvelous wake – I’d never been to one before and it was a wonderful experience and closure to have |Sheila back in the house for one more night. He also conducted a perfect funeral. I’m sure Sheila would be amazed to know that she had so many friends who attended, both in the chapel and online. Her resting place is in a beautiful cemetery overlooking an enthralling view of the beach, the sea and the islands. family members and friends have continued to support and have indeed been a blessing – and all in all I’m thankful to God for all the good He’s brought out of a sad situation. It’s a comfort to know that Sheila didn’t appear to suffer, her passing was quick, and now…her blindness will be gone; kidney problems removed; her faithful friends Helen and Faithie will be at her side; and she’ll be surrounded by family and friends, believers who’ve gone before. That leaves us…we should be happy to have known her and been affected by her. As a result, all the time and effort she invested in us shouldn’t be squandered in misery, depression and sadness. She is at peace, and joyful in spirit – and that’s her cue for us!
Sometimes when we grieve, we need time to think, take stock and wait until we’re ready to take up life again. It’s therapeutic, and necessary, to make us stronger and more settled. It’s taken some time for me but I hope to return to the station on its birthday at the end of January, and hopefully will see a new impetus and focus then. About a year and a half ago, I interviewed Sheila with no inclination that it might be broadcast after her passing. It was about her life of overcoming and the things she had achieved regardless of her difficulties. It was intended for a ‘Go on’ Christian Show designed to encourage others. How appropriate and significant it is now! I hope to broadcast it as one of the first shows of the station’s new year, starting in February; and it will also be available on our ‘On Demand’ area. It lasts two hours and covers most of her life. In it she plays some of her favourite music – and at the end I’m including a little message she gave for UCF Today a number of years ago. She always had a spiritual take on things, and I for one am certainly glad of that. It kept me afloat many a time. I hope many of you will consider listening to the programme. Even if you’re not religious, there are many encouraging points to pick out of it. You will also meet a most wonderful person who had a wry sense of humour, a great hold on, and understanding of, life, a faith that could inspire others, and a deep love of her family and friends. You’ll say I’m biased – I am, but it’s all true! I accompanied her for fifty-three years, at times the most difficult, but the best years of my life! On her grave it says ‘Her eyes were ever on her Lord. At rest in the arms of Jesus. Home Sheila!’ May it be so. It’s up to us now…