Success at last

As planned, I built the bike today. I made sure I inspected every item in the box and checked that they were all present and in working order before I even started to assemble them. I put them all together and finally added the dynamo and wiring. I then pumped up the tyres, oiled the chain and wheeled it out ready for a test ride. Apart from losing the chain once where the derailleur gears need minor adjustments, all went well! Success! I can now tell my son to get "on yer bike"!
I am normally a cynic but even I couldn't help but be moved by the pictures on the TV news of George Best's funeral. Thousands of people lined the streets of Belfast applauding the cortege as it processed to Stormont Castle for a memorial ceremony which many footballing greats - past and present - attended. I couldn't help noticing George's father looking lonely and sad - yet with a pride in his eyes that said "This was my son. Look at all these people who admired him!" That man must be very sad that his son has gone - nobody wants their offspring to die before them - but he has reason to be proud as well. The death of George Best has brought all sides of the Northern Irish community together in a common grief. Does it always take someone to die to make people talk to each other?
The media circus was intent on drawing comparisons. Numbers of people lining the route, celebrities attending the ceremony - they had to spout them all out. And of course the comparisons were made with the funeral of Princess Diana. I found that all a bit sick but I suppose it is all part of life (and death) in the public eye.
Seeing that procession and all the people applauding made me think. If there is any kind of ceremony for me when I die then I would also like those present to applaud rather than be silent. Perhaps they will feel there was nothing in my life worth their applause but to me a single hand clap would be better than a stony silence . . .