Heavenly Beverley : Tribute For Leigh

Thursday, 16 August 2018

Tribute For Leigh

Our beloved Leigh would have been sixty-three yesterday. We did have a fabulous party and Leigh was in attendance. He was wearing his fave cargo shorts, cream open-necked shirt and his surf sandals. In his left hand was a tiny bottle of Chivas Regal and a knot from his boat in his right hand. He also had in his possession some boardies and his captain's hat. The cheeky bugger even had a smile on his face.

His funeral was simple and short and overflowing with love. In honour of his yachting life, the guests wore shorts and boat shoes, beach dresses, flowery Hawaiian shirts and thongs - Leigh would have hated any formality. One of the reasons he loved Cairns was the casual lifestyle. The warm weather, the proximity to his boat and the lack of city angst appealed to his easy-going nature.

A slideshow was broadcast for all to see; with photographs of him, that had flooded in from all over Australia. Friends who hadn't seen each other for thirty or forty years stared with anticipation, looking for familiarity in the faces of people from the very distant past. When recognition occurred, the reactions were priceless. Hugs and kisses and stories were all exchanged.

Leigh's children, Natalie and Michael were supported by their loving partners and held in awe by the rest of us. They carried themselves with dignity and grace, without ever attempting to squash their all-encompassing grief.

Babies and dogs and chooks were also there. In so many ways, Leigh's funeral and wake were just like a cheery multi-generational family party on a Saturday arvo. We ate and drank with gusto, some of us a tad more than we should've. That's what Leigh would have wanted. A celebration of his life.

Leigh is now able to roam free. When we returned to our lovely Pump House at the Cool Waters Caravan Park, I noticed that some of our toiletries had been knocked over on the stool next to the shower. There had been no breeze to speak of and certainly not in the bathroom. I could have sworn I heard Leigh laughing in the background.

He is sailing...