I saw Ben Harrison (Bear Bones vocalist) play with Endor the other night and I had a wee bit of cramp so struggled to concentrate at times but I really loved his vocals and his songs just seemed so sweet. This is no exception.

It’s about an old man’s life after his wife has died (I’m bad with words today, sue me) and once I realised this, it got me thinking of my great aunt and uncle. They had the sweetest relationship, been through everything together and they had a life they loved in Millport (village on an island called Cumbrae), my great uncle Dennis was a gardener, his garden was stunning and he did all the church gardens as well. Maria is a feisty German woman who mostly asks very blunt questions (how many boyfriends have you had Sarah?!), she’s a totally wonderful woman as well. Full of stories and conversation as well as always looking immaculate.

Last year Dennis passed away. Peacefully and not of anything too serious. At his funeral, everybody said that Dennis had had the life he always wanted to have. He fell in love with a wonderful woman, had children with her, saw the world, had their own home, and a quiet, happy life with no regrets.

When I spoke to Maria she said she woke up and he wasn’t there for the first time ever. She got quite a fright apparently and she cried quite a bit in the church but she was happy he was with God. I don’t believe in God but at that point in time, I was glad she did. Her and Dennis were in love for over 60 years and they had a wonderful life and relationship together.

As the months went on, Maria struggled to keep up with his garden and has had help from people on the island. She speaks about him a lot I think and I can’t imagine what she must be going through. She’d never had to live without him and now she’ll never see him again but she is an incredible woman and her strength seems to be completely endless.

My point is, Dennis’s death was so sad but the life he had was amazing. This song touched a nerve because I think it was pretty spot on to a spouse’s feelings when they lose somebody. I always loved and respected that Maria and Dennis were together for so long. No divorces, no break-ups, no cheating, nothing. They got through the bad times together and celebrated the good times and at the end of his life, Dennis could say he was surrounded by love. Not just from Maria, everyone. The church was so packed that a lot of people stood outside. Somebody on the ferry home heard me say my name was Sarah-Louise Kelly and said to me ‘Dennis was a fantastic man’. I don’t know who this person was but it was a sentiment echoed that whole day.

I really hope I have that kind of marriage and can say when I am dying that my life was happy and good.

I kind of rambled here but yeah, this song’s beautiful and made me cry quite a bit.