London Calling.. Our day started at 4.00am for the long trek to London, eager to meet with like-minded individuals and we have not been disappointed. Southbank was the destination and we were greeted eagerly by the display of “crazy coffins”

Festival of Giving

We met with non other than Shelly Gilbert of Grief Encounter and chatted about “Chocolate Chipped” – (see earlier blog).  After that we sat to be address by the Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, Jude Kelly.  Jude

Crazy Coffins aeroplane, skateboard and ski coffin

gave a frank and open recount of the loss of her middle child to cot death, and (though genuinely fighting back a tear) I managed to hear one of the most powerful quotes of the day so far “Love & Loss are twins.” Jude went on to explain that you can’t feel loss without love – and how correct she is.

Then the energetic Lemn Sissay took the stage and recited a number of poems “Invisible Kisses” and “Mourning Breaks”.  Before beginning his reading Lemin urged us to not be afraid to cry, it is the first thing we ever do (as babies) and pondered on setting up weekly “cry-meetings”… it is ok to cry! so CRY!

We had actually met Lemn before he got on stage and were mentioned in dispatches and upon leaving the stage I was so moved by his work I asked him where I could purchase a copy of his book, upon hearing this he insisted I have the copy in his hand! I am still shocked and happy about his generosity – thanks Lemin!

So far so good… Will report more on the day as it goes, please follow our tweets @emembrance for live coverage

by Steve  info@e-membrance.com