In the latest episode of On the Marie Curie Couch, David Gower OBE sits down with Jason Davidson.
David is one of the most capped and highest-scoring players for the England cricket team. Since retiring as a player in 1993, he has become a successful TV and radio commentator and presenter, newspaper columnist and correspondent, and has written several books on the sport. He has received an OBE for services to sports and has been inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame.
In this conversation, David talks about the death of his parents, Richard and Sylvia, enjoying giving someone a good farewell at a funeral, and how a private legacy is more important than a public one.
Content note: This conversation includes discussions of death and grief that might be triggering or upsetting.
“I enjoyed being part of a great farewell”
I gave a eulogy for a great friend of mine, Tim... It was such a good feeling to give that farewell to such a good friend. Because most of his work had been in the port trade, I had a hip flask in my jacket pocket, nodded to the vicar said, "I hope you don’t mind but I wish to raise a toast," took a sip of vintage port, and there we were. I enjoyed – if I can say it like that – being able to be part of what was great farewell and take the sting out of this horrible thing, which is very final, which is death.
“He did something positive when everything was negative”
My father had MND. When he was immobile, what he did – and we did to try to help who had been a very active, very sporty man – was to play a lot of classical music to him. He also took the time to read and learn about the composers he was listening to. That was his way of somehow doing something slightly positive in amongst a long period of time when everything else was very negative.
Listen now
Tap the link near the top of this page to listen to Jason's chat with David. You can also listen to or download it via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
New episodes arrive each month. Remember to like and subscribe to know when the latest episode drops.
If you need support with bereavement or grief, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/information
