Thought For The Day – Friday 4th July 2025
To Love And Be Loved
In all the “busy-ness” of life, with a range of disproportionate distractions, we remember what is really important in life: To love and be loved.
We think of, and empathise with, all who suffer beyond words in any way locally, nationally, internationally.
We keep them in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Leonna, a seven-year-old girl, passed from this life when a tree fell on her in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea last Saturday. Leonna’s six-year-old cousin remains in hospital.
As part of an extensive and deeply moving tribute, Leonna’s family expressed their love:
“Leonna was more than just a child – she was a light in our lives and in the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting her. Leonna was funny, kind, and full of life – a shining star who brought happiness wherever she went and to whoever she met. From the moment she walked into a room, Leonna would light it up. Leonna was the kind of girl who gave love without asking for anything in return…Leonna will live forever in our hearts – in every laugh, every sunbeam, every act of kindness we see in the world. We were so lucky to have had her, even if only for a short time.”
In their suffering beyond words, Leonna’s family so selflessly and thoughtfully expressed their gratitude to the community:
“Your kindness, your prayers, and your presence have meant more than we could ever express. In our deepest sorrow, you reminded us that we are not alone. We are incredibly grateful for every candle lit, every flower placed, every tear shared in her memory. The outpouring of love for our daughter has brought us comfort in ways we never imagined possible.”
To be The Light.
To selflessly spread The Light.
That is Love.
And Love is eternal.
Around the world, people have paid tribute to two wonderfully inspirational, humble and loved professional footballers, and brothers, Diogo Jota and André Silva, who passed from this life in a car accident yesterday. Their funerals will take place in their home city of Porto in Portugal tomorrow. Supported by his brother, children, parents, family and friends, Diogo married his “forever love” Rute Cardoso in a church, the beauty of which reflected and reflects their relationship, in Porto on 22nd June 2025.
Whoever people support, wherever they support, people have come together in immense respect and an outpouring of love.
The Head Coach of Liverpool men’s football team Arne Slot, for whose team, Diogo, wearing number 20, scored their first league goal in what would be their 20th Premier League-winning season that commenced on a glorious and sunny August afternoon in Ipswich last year, began his extensive and profoundly moving tribute with the following words:
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss. My message to them is – you will never walk alone. This is a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.”
Closing his beautiful and wise tribute to Diogo, Liverpool player Ibrahima Konaté spoke to the fragility of this life, writing:
“Let’s enjoy every moment that life offers us, with our families, friends, and even strangers. Let’s try to live in peace and send each other love. We don’t know what tomorrow brings.”
From the particular to the universal. From the universal to the particular.
We keep in our hearts, thoughts and prayers those known to us, and those unknown, who have suffered, and still suffer, whether that be through the passing from this life, bereavement, trauma, illness, at home or in hospital, environmental challenge and conflict.
We value the vulnerable.
Oftentimes in this life we can only see “through a glass, or mirror, darkly”.
But Love is, and will always be, The Light.
For every person is sacred, special, precious and unique.
Every person is absolutely irreplaceable.
Every person is valued and valuable beyond words.
Every person matters. To their family. To their friends. To their community. To themselves.
Every person has a story.
And their environment too.
Those we love are always with us.
Those we love will always, endlessly and eternally, inspire us.
Those we love are always in our hearts.
We come together, in community, to ensure those we love always guide, are always remembered and always inspire.
To Love and to be Loved. That is all.
