Lewis's Words

" Mags created a space for Macfarlane whereby we could all share his journey through the cancer. Many of us have followed that journey in our private spaces, following and sharing. But now the space is here - no longer in the ether. The last chapter is here today. The words will be spoken and heard between us, the cuddles are real, the sentiments felt directly one to another.
Dan wanted this day to be different. We want to do something different, something that will honour the memory of Dougie, Dan, Macfarlane but somehow reflect how the man himself was - we hope that if he was sitting out there watching and listening, he would enjoy this moment. He was always so very heedful of the needs of others - maybe today, here, we can give back some degree of that caring.
I've called him Dougie-Dan-Macfarlane because depending on where you came into his life, you'd know him by one of those names. I remember once asking him if it was very confusing having different names."Nota-t-all" says he. He said it was really useful - immediately someone called him by name he knew where they belonged to in his life and it gave him a chance of remembering who the hell they were! Confusion into clarity. Disadvantage turned to advantage. Typical Macfarlane.The people speaking today represent those different names, different times and different associations. Me? I'm somewhere between the 'Dan' and the'Macfarlane' sets.
In deference to Dan's wishes this will not be a religious service, no prayers nor hymns. However, in direct contradiction of Dan's wishes there will be no; belly dancers, jugglers, fire-eaters, comedians, lady-wrestlers or replays of the 1990 Grand Slam. What we hope is that as well as the inevitable and understandable tears, people will feel okay about smiling and maybe even having the occasional laugh. Macfarlane would wish it so.
When I think of Dan, when I remember him its impossible not to smile or hear that mischevious, semi-hysterical laugh coming across the table, louder and faster. Macfarlane could mock you in themost wonderful way. Addressing Dan's sister's defence, Yes I know Margaret, he always did apologise, but then he always started laughing again !
So this is where I say my farewell. I'd like to salute Dan Macfarlane one last time with a guid Scots quote;
'He wiz only five fit fower! But when yer hert gauns frae the soles o' yer feet tae the croon o' yer heid - that's a lot o' hert! ' "


" Mags, I'm choked again reading it through. The quote comes from McIlvanney's'Docherty'. I couldn't find the book again to check the quote so it may be wrong in specific words. When I was reading it out I kept forcing myself to look up and look at the people. Apart from Margaret who I addressed directly and to the side I just couldn't see anyone, just shapes through the light which was pouring in through the stained glass windows. I just remember being partially dazzledby the soft primary colours of yellow and blue light ".

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