RIP LADY THATCHER

A GIANT.

DETAILS OF HER MODEST, RESERVED, DIGNIFIED FUNERAL SERVICE HERE. EXCERPTS:

Alan Southern, a former member of the Parachute Regiment who fought in the Falklands War, said: 

"Lady Thatcher was an absolutely wonderful lady. She loved the armed forces and she did so much for the country, she put the 'great' back in Great Britain."

HERE'S THE FIRST THING SHE CHOSE TO HAVE APPEAR IN THE PROGRAM OF HER SERVICE:

What we call the beginning is often the end

And to make an end isto make a beginning.

The end is where we startfrom.

We die with the dying:

See, they depart, and we go with them.

We are born with the dead:

See, they return, and bring us with them.

The moment of the rose and the moment of the yew-tree

Are of equal duration. 
A people without history 
Is not redeemed from time, 

for history is a pattern

Of timeless moments. 
So, while the lightfails

On a winter’s afternoon, in a secluded chapel

History is now and England.

With the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. 

Little Gidding (1942) 

from Four Quartets

T. S. Eliot(1888-1965)

HER IS WHAT WAS WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE READ FIRST:

First Reading read by
Amanda Thatcher, Granddaughter

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Put on the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,

against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 

and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

Above all, taking the shield of faith, 

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, 

which is the word of God: 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 

and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Ephesians 6. 10-18 [EMPHASIS ADDED]

HERE IS THE LAST STANZA OF THE POEM SHE CHOSE TO CLOSE THE SERVICE:

Then sing, ye birds, sing, sing a joyous song!

What though the radiance which was once so bright

Be now for ever taken from my sight,

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind;

In the primal sympathy

Which having been 
must ever be;

In the soothing thoughts that spring

Out of human suffering;

In the faith that looks through death.

Ode: Intimations of Immortality

from Recollections of Early Childhood (1802)

William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

AND THE MUSIC SHE CHOSE TO END THE SERVICE:





LADY THATCHER WAS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT BRITISH PERSON OF THE LAST CENTURY.

AND LIKE #1, A PERSON WHO HELPED SAVE HUMANITY FROM TYRANNY AND THE POVERTY WHICH TYRANNY CREATES.

AND - CONTRARY TO WHAT #1, W.S. CHURCHILL, USED TO SAY - SHE WAS INDISPENSABLE.

AND MISSED.

RIP LADY THATCHER.