Eric Jack Plant Smith 17 Feb 1912 - 10th June 2006

Post from us have been rather lacking of late. Both of Gill's parents have been very ill and her father past away on the 10th of June. The following is the obituary notice from the Essex Evening Standard of 16th June:

PLANT SMITH
Eric Jack
On June 10th 2006, after a short illness in Ipswich Hospital, aged 94 years.
Loving Husband of Zita Molly, dearly loved Dad to Gillian and Elaine,
Grandad to Sarah, Amy and Catherine and Great-Grandad to Callum Raymond
and Benjamin Neal.
Funeral and celebration of his life at St Andrew's Church, Chelmondiston on
Friday June 23rd at 12.00 noon. Refreshments in the Church Room followed by
interment at Oakfield Wood, Wrabness at 3.00 pm.
Donations for the Woodland Trust, or flowers, may be sent to Farthing, Singleton & Hastings, 650, Woodbridge
Road, Ipswich, IP4 4PW


When going through his possessions we came upon a number of diaries written during the war. On the back page of each was written this saying: Today is the tomorrow we feared so much yesterday ... and all is well.

I though it appropriate to use that saying in the reflection that I delivered at his funeral, the text of which follows.

Dave

Reading: John 14:1-6 Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled

Today is the tomorrow we feared so much yesterday.. and all is well.” These words were found written in a number of places in Eric'’s war diary. They were written at a time when life was uncertain, when there was a real possibility that he would never get back to England and see Zita and those he loved again. Indeed, if he had not been on one of the last troopships out of Singapore he may well have ended his days in a Japanese POW camp, as did many of his friends. Like many servicemen in the last war, to dwell on the possible horrors of tomorrow would only distract from the enjoyment of the present. Like so many of his contempories it was the day in being that took priority - they lived for the now.

Was this a bad philosophy? One would think so if all the pundits of the 21^st century were to be believed. We are told we have to set goals, aims and objectives both in our work life and our personal life. We are encouraged to plan for the future. It seems that more and more we are being asked to concentrate on what might be rather than what is. Of course, planning for the future is not wrong. Eric was an 'all round' man who knew that future plans were sometimes required. Indeed, some time ago he asked us to plan ahead for this funeral! However, he did not let future plans distract him from living the life that was at hand

Eric'’s philosophy finds a resonance in the words of Jesus in John 14 (and coincidentally another favourite reading of Eric's) Having told his disciples that his ministry must end in death, Jesus finds them sad. It seemed that all their hopes for the future had been shattered. The friend in whom they trusted was to be taken away from them. Jesus responds with ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my FatherÂ’s house there are many dwelling places - I go to prepare a place for you. In other words, Don't fear tomorrow I have got it all in hand -I have planned it - you get on with your life.

Eric loved life. He took an interest in many of the things around him whether that was, on his retirement, discovering new an fascinating things in the insect world through the lens of his microscope; working in the garden and watching the seasons unfold in the fruit and the flowers he grew; observing the changing face of the river from the windows of the Crow's Nest, or simply enjoying the visits of his grandchildren. These and many other things made each day unique and something to be enjoyed.

No one can preach our funeral, we preach our own. Eric has perhaps preached his in the words and the reading he has left for us. He is in good company, for in the early 17^th C St. Francis de Sales wrote these words: Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same Everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.

Like the disciples, we come here today faced with the death of someone who is dear. To us the words of Jesus still speak: Do not let your heart be troubled. We are here to place Eric into the hands of a loving saviour who went before to prepare him a place, but also we place ourselves in his hands, in the confidence that he loves and cares for each one of us.

Today we commit the past to God when we thank him for the life of Eric, for our memories and what he means to each one of us. We leave the future in God'’s hands and we go out to live the day that God in his infinite mercy has given to each one of us.

Do not let your heart be troubled - for today is the tomorrow we feared so much yesterday and all is well.