Alan Gregory -

“For he is an Englishman”

This is my text for today it is taken from the book of HMS Pinafore  and remains steadfast in the heart of those who know about such things!!

Elaine and I had a couple of nice talks about Alan

And one was “He is an Englishman”

But I am also aware that he is OZ-TRAL-IAN

How deeply Alan loved this country, was passionate about conservation

And the modern day issues that face us

Elaine is tiring of the present day discussion of execution

But I am sure Alan would have 

a few wise words to say

For me, as a Christian

I have a slight problem

I don’t think Alan would identify himself as a believer

YET he would sing in our choir 

The Corowood Choir

‘Jesu du bist meine Freude’

But more excitingly, he and Elaine used to play for our Christmas Eve Service. Simple Carols. 

For a Children’s Service.

His sensitivity as a musician

was very apparent to me.

I am a Cellist......he was much better than me

Quelle est cette odeur agreable? 

There was more to it than that

Elaine and Alan played the Christmas mystery

and their relationship

was just amazing

(I suspect she would demur)

I shudder at the intimacy

Family. Children and grandchildren

They had their issues

But Elaine and Alan  

had love.

If w are sad about anything today (and of course we are)

it is that  Alan has gone

You know they loved each other

Alan struggled to name this as God’s  love

as Jesus’s love

I don’t have such a struggle.

He was a lover,

Quiet...yes

Restrained....Yes

But also he gave himself to love :

Elaine, his children, his  grandchild

This country: for he is Australian

and I  for one 

am glad to have shared my life with him

Good man!, Great scientist! Great father! Great and even greater grandfather