We All Need Mates

Earnest Capstaff died last month in Accrington, Lancashire. 

At the age of 101 Earnest had outlived all his mates and his family - except for a niece and her husband.  His funeral was set to  be a very small affair, not worthy of the send off that Earnest deserved, having survived service in the Royal Navy during WW2 fighting the Imperial Japanese Fleet.

Earnest's niece obviously felt that he should embark on his heavenly journey with a celebration of his life,as befits a much loved uncle.  Consequently she put the word out on the social media network where it was picked up by Ex Servicemen and Armed Forces Groups.  The request for attendees for his funeral went viral.

Hundreds of people, accompanied by the local British Legion and guards of honour from the Armed Forces groups turned up to see Earnest off and celebrate his life.  

These were Earnest's mates.

I am very lucky to have several good mates, and lots of acquaintances, who I hope would be able to see me off at my funeral - I have no immediate plans, but you never know, do you?

We all need mates.  People without mates have nobody to help them keep a perspective of life's ups and downs.  

During  the times when life is throwing buckets of poo over you - we've all been there folks! - a mate is someone who will roll up, having heard that you're under siege, and listen, sympathise, make the tea - or pour a large glass of something with vasodilatory properties (Booze!), and eventually tell you to get a grip because life has gone on anyway.

  

Those horrible, 3 o'clock in the morning gremlins, who torment, terrify and deny you sleep, can be easily seen off by the sage words of a chum who has been there, done that, got the tee shirt and not only survived, but thrived from what they've learned from the experience.

There is of course a huge difference between men and their mates, and women and their mates.

It's a well known fact that men do not share emotional worries and fears.  A bloke will meet his mates at the pub, the football, the gym, standing around outside the supermarket waiting for the wife etc, and talk about anything and everything except their worries.  Thus, the worry does not exist. This is known as HUB syndrome (Head Up Bum).

Women will arrange to meet their mates to share, dissect, evaluate and manage their worries.  A worry to a woman is something that needs to  be addressed and managed.  Head Up Bum syndrome only applies to odd lumps, discharges or rashes that have suddenly appeared.

We must remember of course that mates are not only there to share grief and woe.  A win on the Premium Bonds, an achievement long wished for or the all clear from the doctor needs to be celebrated. 

Luckily there are as many types of mate as there are problems and joys to share.  When you're lucky enough to have mates, you know what their reactions will be - most of the time.  

There are the  mates who will automatically buy a round; mates who will hug and kiss you; mates who will say,"I told you so", and mates who step foot back on planet Earth just to celebrate with you.

Yup!  

We definitely all need mates.

 Carry on...