Yesturday I found out that a friend of mine had passed away. Brian left this world on monday. He left behind his dear wife Peggy and their family. Can I please ask anyone who reads this to pray for strength and love for Peggy and the family.
Brian was an amazing man. I met him on my first alpha course along with Peggy about 2 years ago. We all went onto a second group together, and ended up in the same pastorate. Brian and Peggy's relationship was a real inspiration to me. They would turn up each weds with each other full of the joys of life. I will always remember how at the begining of each term, while introducing themselves, they would relate themselves immediately to the other, describing themselves as if they were only a half. Listening to both of their stories was always a complete joy.
In recent months I moved to Richmond, and as a result lost constant contact with Brain and Peggy. Whenever I was back at my parents and we would go to church I would bump into the 2 of them. However as work life and social events seem to take over I began to see them less and less. About 9 months ago I found out through mutual friends that Brian was having a bad patch, I promised myself that I would go and see him in hospital. I never did this and it is a major regret of mine. After a while I heard that this bad patch had passed and that Brian seemed to be doing well. Again I promised that as soon as things began to quiet down I would write or go and see him and Peggy. Things never did quite down, or if they did, there were other things on. 
On weds morning I found out he had died. I was completely over whelmed as well as shocked! He always made time for others, and the 2 of them seemed never to be too busy. I on the other hand had been. 
This is not a 'woe is me' blog. At our pastorate this week we were studying tests and trials. Some times things can happen that give you a kick, they can hurt, but they are for a reason. This is one of those blogs. We all work hard, we all have social lives, but how hard is it to pick up the phone or spend an hour writting a letter. Will you remember that extra hour you spent retouching that image, or writting that report, or will you remember the hour you didn't spend?
Brian you will be truley missed. I am sorry I didn't let you know how important you were to me. 
God Bless you Peggy.