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I’ve finally got round to getting my will done. I was a bit reluctant at first. Thought I was far too young. Still a spring chicken. But as our daughter then mercilessly reminded me on my recent birthday:Ìý‘The clock’s ticking, dad!’ÌýReceiving the probate document to sign was a sobering experience. I never find it easy to think about my final end. It also didn’t feel likeÌý‘the estate of ‘Matthew Ross Woodcock’Ìýamounted to very much. Certainly not in the way of personal treasures. I don’t think my family will be fighting over my precious Oasis records or vintage York City shirts. Yet it got me thinking about a moving encounter I had with an elderly woman nearing the end of her life.Ìý

I’d known Anne since boyhood. She was the widow of our popular parish vicar, Reverend Derek. It wasn’t always easy between us. I can still hear her piercing voice shouting at me to stop terrorising the Sunday school teacher.ÌýÌýAnd being thrown out of the vicarage youth club for starting a food fight with her prized onions. But I grew to find Anne enlivening company. I admired her quietly practical Christian faith. Her willingness to forgive so generously - and frequently in my case. I visited Anne a few days before she died. She joked that just my very presence still exhausted her. At least I think she was joking. We talked about her cancer treatment and precious family. We discussed spiritual matters, too. How she hoped to be eternally reunited with her beloved Derek.Ìý‘I do miss him,’Ìýshe said.

I was grateful for the chance to thank Anne for the impact she’d had on my life and faith. How much I’d learnt from her servant-heartedness and patient love. She taught me the value of planting such deep and sacred treasures like these in the lives of others. However much they might go unnoticed or unappreciated at the time. I know they aren’t gifts that can ever form part of my physical will. But these are the kind of inner legacies I pray I’ll leave plenty of behind - when my clock finally stops ticking. Which hopefully won’t be for a long time yet, Zoe. Despite all the years my daughters are putting on me.