A return to real life

A Fitting Tribute
Yesterday's funeral service, while of course desperately sad, was also a real celebration of Elizabeth's remarkable life. Elizabeth organised the detail of order of service herself and I'm sure she would have been very satisfied by the way things went - even the sun was shining!
Personal friends of many years Cardinal Keith O'Brien and Eric Milligan shared their memories of Elizabeth with the hundreds who packed into Warriston, painting a picture of a woman with a joyous zest for life, a deep love of family and friends and a driven and committed politician. Whatever your views on Elizabeth - and as such a huge personality she attracted strong opinions - no-one can doubt the impact she's had on political life in Edinburgh during her remarkable life, or the massive gap her passing will leave in North Edinburgh.
I don't tend to cry at funerals, but there were a number of times over the course of the day when I nearly 'lost it'. Once, when I spoke to members of Elizabeth's Pilton Equalities Project who are completely bereft and shocked; again, when I saw the pain in the eyes of Elizabeth's close friends Brian Fallon and Paul Nolan, both of whom were finding it very difficult to find the words to express what they were feeling. And again, when I reached the top of the steps to the crematorium and glanced back over my shoulder to see an incredible queue of hundreds of mourners snaking it's way from the front gates all the way towards to the chapel. Hundreds of people for whom Elizabeth clearly meant something. On the darkest of days this massive show of support must have offered at least some little solace to the family. And finally, when meeting Betty Scammell, Elizabeth's mother, after the service. Betty conducted herself with so much dignity whilst going through a day which I am sure she could never have thought she would ever see.
Service over, there was the opportunity to meet and exchange small talk with many people you've not met for a long time - and, in all likelihood, who you may not greet again until another occasion like this one. Dozens of well-kent faces from the Labour Party, more old than new, old colleagues from Lothian Region and friends and colleagues from the North Edinburgh community who have moved on. Promises to keep in touch, which somehow never materialise because mundane, ordinary everday life becomes the norm again.
We spent the rest of the afternoon - and a fair part of the early evening too - in the Jinglin' Geordie, reliving the old days with some old pals and inevitably talking about what happens next. Life doesn't stand still, and a by-election beckons. That will all be sorted out over the coming weeks, but whoever is selected to fight the seat for Labour - and whoever is ultimately elected as the new member for Forth ward - has an almost impossible act to follow. If the new representative can be half as effective as Elizabeth was over the years at arguing her corner, dealing with constituents problems and working tirelessly for the people of Granton, North Edinburgh and beyond - then they will be doing well indeed.
After the holidays I will compile a celebration of Elizabeth's life for next month's NEN - contributions are flowing in already and we won't be short of material.

New Challenges
As I say, life goes on. Today, we will find out who has won the contest to lead the Labour Group in Holyrood. By all accounts it's too close to call between Iain Gray and Cathy Jamieson, though I think it will be the former. Whoever is successful has a major rebuilding job on his/her hands, and there's no doubting the scale of the challenge faced by the new leader.
Another young man facing a new challenge today is Derek Riordan. The prodigal son has returned to Easter Road and his re-signing has given supporters a much-needed lift. I was one who didn't want to see him go in the first place - he is one of the most naturally gifted young players in have seen for years, and managed to shine in a team that was blessed with an abundance of young talent. He's kicked his heels on the periphery at Celtic Park for two years, but I'm sure that Derek has lost none of his prodigious skills or talent over that time. And with an added maturity (well, hopefully!) and with the extra motivation of proving some people wrong, like most Hibs fans I'm expecting great thinks of young Deek.

Back to Work
If this week was dominated by Elizabeth's death, next week will see a return to what passes as 'normal'.
First up, a couple of day's holiday with the extended family to celebrate Caroline's birthday then there's a pretty full work diary. Too many meetings, as ever, but lightened by the delightful job of getting photographs of this year's P1 intake at all of our local schools. It's incredibly difficult to get twenty-plus four and five year olds to all look at the camera and smile at the same time, but it's good fun trying!
Less fun - but crucially important nonetheless - will be the FSF funding panel meetings. Elizabeth's passing meant that the dates are being rescheduled and these will be finalised next week.
So as I said life does go on, but it will be a less colourful one without Elizabeth's presence here in North Edinburgh.