The day after the two-year anniversary of your death I receive a voice note from your friend S. with a story about you and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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And this is what the voice note says:
But first…. a short message from me – will you consider becoming a paid subscriber?
This writing takes time, energy and courage. My paid subscribers keeps it going – and keeps this connection open for both of us.
Every penny goes directly to two things that matter deeply: my children’s artistic and sporting lives – the music lessons, swimming clubs, theatre trips Imogen and I always wanted for them – and Pilgrims Hospice, where Imogen spent her final weeks and whose care gave our family dignity and tenderness when we needed it most.
Here’s what some of your fellow subscribers have said:
Rebecca:“You are one of the best writers I know… especially when it comes to making the most of life and trying to be the best parent we can.”
Jane:“By facing the awful parts of life the way you have, you are a force for good. I also think you write beautifully.”
Marisa:“You articulate loss and living through it better than any writing I’ve read. Thank you for sharing – it matters.”
Richard:“I only subscribed once you started charging because then I knew it was worth something 😉”
Elizabeth:“Your writing is exceptionally beautiful. I value your commitment to the children’s future and supporting Pilgrims.”
If this writing has meant something to you, a paid subscription is the simplest way to say so. Thank you for considering it. George x
Hi George.
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I wanted to send to you a voice note because I have a wonderful story to tell you that has resulted from a chance encounter that I had yesterday.
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With a man who has now armed me with an anecdote about Imogen and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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So, yesterday, I took myself to Tate Britain because I’ve had this membership for decades and I never ever use it.
Anyway, I decided on Friday I was going to protect a couple of hours to nourish myself in a different way.
I went to Tate Britain, saw the Turner exhibition, which was excellent, actually, and then went up to the members bar.
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This older gentleman, retired, very ordinary looking guy, very sweet, approached me and asked if he could join me to have his lunch, and I said, yeah, of course, I love, I love talking to strangers.
So, it was absolutely fine to me.
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He was very chatty. and it turned out, after some minutes of chatting, I discovered that he is a priest and quite an important priest.
He’s like a visiting bishop at Westminster Abbey and held very high positions, across his career. He’s been retired now for about a decade.
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So we were talking about politics and faith and history and humanity, and the state of the world right now - I mean, there’s obviously lots to talk about..
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But we were also talking about women.
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And we were talking about women because he’s also very good friends with Sarah Mullalley, who’s the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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We talked about, well, we just talked about the world that she’s lived in, and the world that she’s existed in and how you rise to like, what kind of strength and fortitude and belief and passion it takes to be able to rise to this level, right, of service, existing inside of structures that are not built to support you, right?
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And then it sort of went into a larger a larger chat about feminism and sort of women in general.
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And I talked to him about Imogen.
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And I talked to him about yesterday.
It was a wonderful conversation.
Really lovely.
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By the time that it was time for us to sort of say goodbye, which was like 45 minutes later, he said, would it be all right if I said a prayer for Imogen on Sunday? I’m delivering the sermon at St. Paul’s Knights Bridge. . And I thought, this is a gesture that is, you know, regardless of your relationship with faith, this is a gesture that is full of so much kindness, and compassion and care that I said, gosh, that sounds absolutely wonderful. . Then he said, hold on a second. .
He pulls out his phone.
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And he starts, texting.
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He says, I’m also gonna send a note to Sarah, and I’m gonna tell her about Imogen, and I’m gonna ask her to say a prayer Imogen too.
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And I thought: .
Now we’re at the right level.
That is the correct level.
Imogen will have a prayer, said for her by the first female archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Malley.
