Celia Miller - Mary Donovan

From Mary Donovan, who is a friend dating from the first days of Metier - 16th December, 2007

I just picked up your messages. Been off line for the past few days in Brussels and then a quick trip to Moscow.

Words can never convey feelings. I like your Alsop quote. There is a poem by Christina Rosetti entitled 'When I am dead':

When I am dead, my dearest
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadwos,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain;
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget

My memories of Celia are as the most reliable, true friend who would always give good advice but never judged. I remember laughing madly when we arrived at a flat race in N. Ireland to discover that it was not indeed 'flat' but the jockeys kept disappearing into hollows and out again.... I remember flying back with you both when you could not get 'two green lights' and we went into crash position. I remember asking Celia what will happen. She replied, "Oh, Skoupye,the worst thing would be you will break your collar bone....."

Sadly, we cannot be with you this afternoon. We will raise a glass at 2.30 to Celia and take a photo. Because the catholic in me never went away completely, I will also go to the church on the Grote Markt in Delft to light a candle for her.

Lots of love, S.