Neither will those lost loved ones, some recent, some less so, be sat at our dinner table, yet there are a couple of things one can do to honour “their memory” and which cost no money and very little effort.

So before things started getting overly hectic I decided, taking advantage of the good weather, to pay a visit to mine and my wife’s families’ resting places at the Gibraltar North Front Cemetery. In passing let me add that this is a spiritually therapeutic exercise that I have practiced over the years, as well as sitting alone in a church and praying for past oversights, forgiveness and guidance.

Sometimes in life, when under pressure and overly stressed, one can’t see the wood for the trees. And believe me, this lone meditation by my parents resting place or in the church surprisingly often works for me.

Having said all this, what on this occasion caught my attention, was the fact that at no time during my walk, from the entrance to the Cemetery to the far end by the copse of trees before the military section, I had not made any mental note of the ‘old traditional’ disgraceful, overgrown, unkempt state of the grounds and pathways.

I suddenly realised the Doctor (Minister Cortes) had once again left his mark on another portfolio of his many ministries, I didn’t really think it could have been Santa, although it really has changed as if by magic.

From entering in a somber mood I suddenly felt elated, a sense of calm and appreciation took over and my thoughts were simply, Thank God our loved ones at long last have a more befitting resting place. Greenarc deserve some praise for the huge effort, they must have cleared tonnes and tonnes of grass, dead plants, rubble, earth, surplus building materials and rubbish, well done.

I thought these credits were due as I do not recall any complimentary words from anyone in the media, though there were many criticisms levelled at those concerned in the past.

But like everything else in life, “there is lots of room for improvement”.

The drainage ducts and grids throughout the pathways are clogged solid, and the path wide grids are protruding dangerously throughout. (Not necessarily Greenarc’s responsibility).

And a longer term embellishment, which may need some investment in the early stages, is possibly the planting of Daffodil, Bluebell, Hyacinth bulbs, and other perennials in random patches could brighten up the somber landscape with patches of different colours here and there. Bulbs multiply so the cost would be on a reducing scale.

And of course at the Christmas table, a toast to loved ones and absent friends! I suspect many of us have forgotten to say a thanksgiving prayer?

May you all have a Peaceful 2018

Joe Brugada.

02-01-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR