A fitting place for remembrance

Sometimes when a person dies, a formal church funeral is not always appropriate for a non-churchgoer, and a memorial gathering with old or new friends, family - young and old - and general well-wishers can be the perfect send off. Today was such a day, when we joined family to remember Dad's cousin Michael who had passed away after some years of poor health. It is better, I think, for those left behind to remember loved ones in their prime, when they were young and not suffering from the infirmities and perhaps memory lapses of old age. The few photos I have of Mom and Dad are from their middle years when they were living their best lives (young retirement).
Michael lived in Fish Hoek for most of his 80 years, and loved nothing more than to be down at its beautiful beach, sitting with his friends on the benches that line the Jager Walk - fondly known as the catwalk by locals, presumably because of the bikinis that were paraded there over the years (guilty as charged) and swimming in the clear, warm waters of Fish Hoek bay. He cut a fine figure in his Speedo and I think may have been part of the lifesaving team - his grandson is a Nipper now which gladdened his heart.
It was easy to recall those days, even though much has changed, because the constants that Nature provides - a salty breeze whipping up white horses, an unrivalled view across False Bay to the far distant mountains, pristine white sand and rough granite boulders, all under a blue sky and a familiar cloud across Clovelly mountain - take us back in an instant to similar days way back when we were all young and growing up in a little piece of paradise.
Rest peacefully, Michael, with your beloved Vivian, and bask in the sunshine of eternal love.