Moved to tears by this. I'm so sorry, but what lovely memories. This is our legacy, I think; if one person feels like this when I am gone, that will have been a life well-lived.
Memories coming together and colliding. Landscape assessment - Oxford Brookes; mulberries and Orford - a mulberry pavlova at Worton Kitchen Garden, where chef owner Simon told me of his house near Oxford and the mulberry tree which was of a particular variety and tasted like no other. And clafoutis - my mother making one in our rented holiday cottage in the scorchingly hot Dordogne - she may have used a packet mix, but no matter - it is still a thing of wonder. Sorry, long post, I am not a writer but these memories needed to be recorded. As I read, I knew what was coming, and finally, a tear. I wish I had known her.
They say write what you know; how very beautifully you must have known this gentle-sounding soul. So sorry to learn of your loss. To have crafted this during the running of a writing retreat was perhaps the most apt of times to summon your all-too-obvious talents for a tribute that leaves all who will read it longing to taste a mulberry and savouring the gift of such generous and easy friendship. x
A beautiful elegy - what a wonderful tribute to a good soul.
Where I grew up in Goring by Sea, there were mulberry trees in the grounds of Goring Library (opposite The Mulberry Pub and the Mulberry shopping parade). During mulberry season, we children would pick the ripest fruit from the garled old branches. You're right, their taste is indefinable and numinous. The trees aren't there any more, sadly, even though I now teach at the local school, whose postal address is Mulberry Lane.
Going to be northernly honest here. I'm signed up to too many Substacks. There's just too many to read and they often frustrate me because of my lack of bandwidth. Somehow though, I usually find time to read yours. And I'm now sitting here weeping a bit and planning when to make clafoutis....
What a beautiful tribute to Pat, Mark. Loved reading your words, so evocative and full of heart. Then I listened to you reading. To have friends such as these in one's life is a blessing. I wonder if Pat knows what a void she has left? I've never tasted a mulberry! I must do something about that. Thank you for sharing the recipe, too.
I am so sorry, Mark. This was such a deeply moving, and beautifully written, tribute to your our friend. I have never tasted a mulberry and, after reading this, I must rectify that.
Oh, my heart broke. What a beautiful bundle of memories, a wonderful remembrance of a dear friend. We now have a (very mature) black mulberry which I hope will bring similar delight to not only me, but any guests. A beautiful tree with deliciously fleeting fruit. Cheers to Pat!
Having had two deaths of family members in May, and still feeling slightly delicate, I would not have read this article, but that would’ve been a mistake! What a lovely blog about a true friend. We planted a mulberry in our last house a number of years before we moved 200 miles away after retirement and we had two harvests of black mulberries - they tasted like no other fruit I’ve ever tasted, delicious. I was happy to move away but I have regretted leaving that mulberry tree!
Oh Mark, I don’t know why but I knew this was how your story was going to end today. Maybe I am a bit on trend due to my brother’s wife dying a couple of days ago. Your friend Pat sounded like such a beautiful person, I am so saddened to hear of you losing your friend, and I’m sure she will forgive you for using the wrong cream. 🤗🙏
So sorry to hear about Pat’s passing. I felt as though I knew her from the beautiful way you had portrayed her through your writing.
Thank you Rosy
Moved to tears by this. I'm so sorry, but what lovely memories. This is our legacy, I think; if one person feels like this when I am gone, that will have been a life well-lived.
I think you are absolutely right Amanda
What a beautiful tribute to someone who created memories and a place in your heart, Mark.
Thanks Julie
Memories coming together and colliding. Landscape assessment - Oxford Brookes; mulberries and Orford - a mulberry pavlova at Worton Kitchen Garden, where chef owner Simon told me of his house near Oxford and the mulberry tree which was of a particular variety and tasted like no other. And clafoutis - my mother making one in our rented holiday cottage in the scorchingly hot Dordogne - she may have used a packet mix, but no matter - it is still a thing of wonder. Sorry, long post, I am not a writer but these memories needed to be recorded. As I read, I knew what was coming, and finally, a tear. I wish I had known her.
I disagree about you not being a writer Jane! Thank you for your lovely words
Ha ha, I don't have aspirations. But I did manage a good turn of phrase in my MSc Dissertation!
I’m really sorry that you’ve lost Pat. You’ve written a beautiful eulogy for her. Everyone needs a Pat in their lives, at least for a while.
They really do Lizzie. Thank you
They say write what you know; how very beautifully you must have known this gentle-sounding soul. So sorry to learn of your loss. To have crafted this during the running of a writing retreat was perhaps the most apt of times to summon your all-too-obvious talents for a tribute that leaves all who will read it longing to taste a mulberry and savouring the gift of such generous and easy friendship. x
Thank you Matt - you are a very kind man x
A beautiful elegy - what a wonderful tribute to a good soul.
Where I grew up in Goring by Sea, there were mulberry trees in the grounds of Goring Library (opposite The Mulberry Pub and the Mulberry shopping parade). During mulberry season, we children would pick the ripest fruit from the garled old branches. You're right, their taste is indefinable and numinous. The trees aren't there any more, sadly, even though I now teach at the local school, whose postal address is Mulberry Lane.
Thank you Fiona, and what a shame those trees are no longer there! They can live for hundreds of years too
Going to be northernly honest here. I'm signed up to too many Substacks. There's just too many to read and they often frustrate me because of my lack of bandwidth. Somehow though, I usually find time to read yours. And I'm now sitting here weeping a bit and planning when to make clafoutis....
I am honoured for your northern honesty and your company Jo, thank you. You should unsubscribe to as many as leaves you with a pleasureable amount!
Thank you for the poignancy and beauty of your writing.
Not got to grips with Substack, too tight for paid, yet I read your emails and adore every word. And always hold dear my own first mulberry moment.
Thank you Sally, it's a pleasure to have your company
What a beautiful tribute to Pat, Mark. Loved reading your words, so evocative and full of heart. Then I listened to you reading. To have friends such as these in one's life is a blessing. I wonder if Pat knows what a void she has left? I've never tasted a mulberry! I must do something about that. Thank you for sharing the recipe, too.
Frances
Thank you Frances. It really was a blessing having Pat in our lives. And please do find a very dark mulberry or seven this summer
I'm sorry for your loss Mark, please send my condolances to Rob. As we say in Azeri, may her soul be happy (roohi shad olsun). x
That beautiful Simi, thank you
I am so sorry, Mark. This was such a deeply moving, and beautifully written, tribute to your our friend. I have never tasted a mulberry and, after reading this, I must rectify that.
Thank you Deborah, and you really must - nothing like them
Exquisitely written prose. Pat will live on in you, your daughter and the trees you planted, inspired by her.
Thank you Ruth
Oh, my heart broke. What a beautiful bundle of memories, a wonderful remembrance of a dear friend. We now have a (very mature) black mulberry which I hope will bring similar delight to not only me, but any guests. A beautiful tree with deliciously fleeting fruit. Cheers to Pat!
Cheers to Pat indeed. Thank you Ewa
Having had two deaths of family members in May, and still feeling slightly delicate, I would not have read this article, but that would’ve been a mistake! What a lovely blog about a true friend. We planted a mulberry in our last house a number of years before we moved 200 miles away after retirement and we had two harvests of black mulberries - they tasted like no other fruit I’ve ever tasted, delicious. I was happy to move away but I have regretted leaving that mulberry tree!
I'm so glad you got two mulberry harvests at least! So special, aren't they. And thank you
Oh Mark, I don’t know why but I knew this was how your story was going to end today. Maybe I am a bit on trend due to my brother’s wife dying a couple of days ago. Your friend Pat sounded like such a beautiful person, I am so saddened to hear of you losing your friend, and I’m sure she will forgive you for using the wrong cream. 🤗🙏
Oh Sally, I’m so sorry. Sending you and your family all condolences