Yesterday was the sixth anniversary of the death of my younger son - [1] Mark. Such anniversaries are inevitably painful, so we planned to go out and do something special.

The Parks Department had said it would try to revarnish his [2] memorial bench by this date - but of course they are busy people - so Mark’s bench in the town’s Ashcombe Park was still looking a bit sad.

Nevertheless we did have a different day, and we came to terms with Greek restaurants, enjoying a meal in a restaurant not owned by the fellow who persuaded Mark to invest the proceeds of his house sale… That is a step in the right direction. Coming to terms with the evidence in the community of that particular fellow’s businesses.

We had a card from our Church, and flowers from several people. The day was not as awful as we had anticipated - and for that we thank God.

Memory can be cruel - but some things must be remembered. Easter approaches.