Six word Saturday

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Said goodbye to a dear friend

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Vivienne Frances Blake

1.12.1937- 5.7.2016

We met through Six Word Saturday, and so I thought it would best to say goodbye this way.  I had no idea that, when I returned from the Algarve, the vital force that was Viv Blake had already departed this life.  I posted my six words last week and waited for the response that inevitably came, but this time it didn’t.  I can’t begin to describe the feeling that washed over me when I went to Viv in France to ‘tap her on the shoulder’, and found her daughter Sally’s message.  It was an invitation to the funeral, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, this Wednesday.

I went, with not a little uncertainty.  There I finally met warm and welcoming Jock, whose creativity Viv always celebrated on her blog. Abba played us in with ‘Thank you for the music’ and a very personal service began.  Sally read ‘The poetry of every day’, chosen from the hundreds of poems written by Viv.  I’ll share a snippet :

‘Agenda similar, routine unvaried

until I’m out there,

eyes everywhere

glorying in small shy hedgerow flowers

or exuberance of roses round cottage door… ‘

Just a fragment of the poetry that was Viv’s daily currency.  She could conjure a poem for any given situation, and that included her own epitaph. Not morbid at all, she’d had her health issues and was impatient with the frailties they imposed (especially if ‘that quilt’ wouldn’t turn out quite the way it ought, by Viv’s high standards).  It was read for her by close friend, Linda, who I know best as Tillybud.  Handel’s ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ and then an emotional performance of ‘Send in the Clouds’ by Judi Dench brought the lump to my throat.  This is her resting place.

I met Viv only once, at Northumberlandia one bleak March day, but it’s a day I’ll never forget.  Those bright eyes twinkled at me with a fierce intelligence, but a love of laughter and of life.

Viv was a constant support and encouragement around my blog. Though she lived the latter part of her life in France, she knew and loved so many of the places I’ve written about in the north east of England.  Places like Hareshaw Linn and Middleton-in-Teesdale recalled fond memories for Viv.

I was in awe of her facility with words, and her desire to go on feeding her brain.  Music, I knew, was one of the loves of her life.  It wasn’t easy to write this but, as I did, what should be on TV last night?  ‘Strictly at the BBC Proms’.  Like myself, Viv was an enormous ‘Strictly’ fan. How Viv would have loved it!  It seemed fitting to watch on her behalf.

God bless, Viv!  RIP.  Six words won’t be the same without you.

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114 comments

  1. I’m so sad to hear this, and I think it is a wonderful way of saying goodbye with this very fine post. Life is but a moment, and we all seems to forget it over and over again. Sending my love…

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  4. I did not know Viv but she sounds like she was a wonderful person and friend. I am glad that you had time together in this life and that you were able to be at her service to say goodbye. A wonderful tribute.

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  5. I’m so sorry for your loss, Jo. You gave a great homage to a dear friend and will cherish those good memories forever. I hope you can celebrate her life in the beauty of nature this weekend. I would “like” your blog, but I have a hard time doing this with sad postings. My thoughts are with you, though and I appreciate the personal and touching piece you wrote about Viv.

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  9. I didn’t know or follow Viv, but I know you were great friends from seeing your comments back and forth over the years. I’m so sorry for your loss, Jo. I’m glad you were able to attend her funeral and be there for her family and to say your fond goodbye. This is a lovely tribute too. Hugs xxx.

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    1. It was a real shock, Cathy. I didn’t know if I should go or if it would be an intrusion, but Sally and Jock(Viv’s husband) were very welcoming. There was more joy than sorrow, and I suppose that in some ways death was kind. Viv didn’t take at all kindly to growing infirm, and no more would I. Thanks for the hugs, darlin. 🙂 I admired her tremendously.

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      1. I’m sure they were very happy to have you there, Jo. I can understand why Viv wouldn’t have taken well to growing infirm; I know I won’t either. Again, I’m so sorry, but I’m really glad you made it to the funeral to show your love and admiration. xxx

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  12. Oh Jo how very sad and how beautiful your tribute to Viv is. This explain why I had not seen her around recently – she occasionally came onto one of my sites. Thank you for paying this tribute, I am very moved indeed. Big hug, Carina

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    1. I was really shocked when I heard the news, Carina. I thought that if I shared a few details of the funeral on here it would help people to say their goodbyes. Thanks for your kindness. 🙂

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  14. A very moving tribute to Viv, Jo. Viv will always be in our hearts, and her presence has touched so many in the blogging community. Very nice to hear that you made the funeral and she must be watching over all us now 🙂

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    1. I’m hoping she liked this tribute too, Mabel. 🙂 So often we would go to each other’s 6 words and ask if Cate’s post was ‘up’ yet. Often it was late or didn’t appear at all, but we carried on regardless. Viv said it had developed a life of its own, and she was right. (Cate was early today- too late!)

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  16. I haven’t blogged in a long time, but when I did Viv was always a great supporter. Your tribute was lovely Jo and although I never met Viv in person, I had a little cry and shall miss her dearly.

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    1. Thanks, Meg 🙂 I would have quoted it in full but it was a long poem. She wrote some wonderful ones and you can find them on the Viv in France link. Hugs back, sweetheart. An industrious Saturday? 🙂

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