Its a sad day, going to see everyone at Marlhill Court for goodbyes instead of hellos. Itll be strange to be without those faces - faces of friends - familiar voices, the coffee clatter of Friday. The shock of it has stayed with me all day; the goodbyes keep replaying. The sheer pleasure to see people and the unbelieving that its over. No more arguing with Harry over who makes the tea, no more coaxing Rennie to write up someone's poem in her beautiful hand, no more Phyllis with her tales of tulips and and accidents.
I feel tremendous anger that older people, people at the end of their lives, are not allowed the dignity of a last few years amongst friends and in a place they know and love.
Not a good day, but I wouldnt wish to have been anywhere else.
Philip
