Scotch College

Nathan Francis – bittersweet memories

The last Sunday of the Easter break, March 30, was a year on from that fateful day when Nathan Francis died.

To mark the occasion there was a gathering of the Francis family and friends at Nathan’s Memorial Tree. It was a warm and supportive group who shared their loss and sought to sustain Brian, Jessica and Justin, Nathan’s beloved and grieving family.

Brian and Jessica, then others too, shared memories and hung yellow hearts on the tree, each marked with something loved by Nathan. Sixty hearts were placed on the tree. Then the family gathered in a circle around the tree, holding hands, with friends in a second circle, also holding hands and encircling them. While in this symbolic embrace, the Rev Ron Petersen, the family’s minister and friend from Berwick days, led in prayer.

Afternoon tea was a time for sharing rich and happy memories, before dispersing, cradling their private grief and sorrow with faltering Easter hopes and prayers.