This morning, I would have been expecting Terry to drop by with our delivery. He’d taken the week off; he hadn’t had a break since Easter. I smugly stated that I was glad it didn’t coincide with my fortnightly delivery.
Terry had disappeared for c.18 months, his route had been changed, or rather, my day was changed from Wednesday to Friday a consequence of adjustments made by Farmaround, in response to the Government mandates and shut down - it was a loss! Then one Friday, not so long ago, a ring at the door, it was Terry, he was back!!! I was so glad and relieved – however the last few deliveries, I missed him, as he was turning up earlier than usual, and my Mr started answering the door, they would have short meaningful conversations – Terry was up for it!
The last Friday - the 13th - I was determined to answer the door, but my partner beat me to it, they spoke, I appeared and took the ‘veg’ bag, and he drew me into the chat – I had wanted to tell him how much I appreciated him – And I did. He’d been delivering my farmaround bags for the best part of two decades. He was in my reliable corner, over those years we would take a moment to comment on recent events...he’s seen my son grow up from Juinior School, and would ask after him, they were both June born – both Gems.
As he made his bid to leave, my Mr in the foreground moved to make a fist bump, (a rarely offered gesture on his part) and Terry responded accordingly; I, in turn, spontaneously blew him a kiss, which he returned – I became self-conscious, not being impulsive by nature, but he was his usual accepting self as he said his customary good-byes and left. That was the first time that both my partner and I were at the door .... how poignant that moment now seems.
Nevertheless I expected to see him again in the weeks, months, years ahead – He was in my reliable corner, one of the few I could count on in the shifting sliding mud of London life .... The familiarity of day to day life has been ruptured. The tears well as I put these words together.
Terry: Always nimble on his feet - such a kind, hardworking, accommodating and unassuming man.
A life lived, lives touched
Condolences to his Sister - To All his family
RIP Terry
Jennifer Marcin & Mamadu
Jennifer
27th August 2021