Home News Columnists Philippa Tomson

Tributes need a time limit

Oct 11 2009 by Colin Patterson, Sunday Sun

THERE’S a certain stretch of road along which I frequently drive in County Durham.

And there’s a certain point along that road where I always spot the same landmark. At least that is what it has become.

It’s an eye-catching sight along the roadside. An eye-catching memorial to someone’s son, husband, brother, lover, perhaps all of these things.

I didn’t dwell on it at first.

Like the thousands of motorists who drive along this road, I considered the victim and the impact that such a dreadful accident had on his family.

But like every other driver, like every other stranger who passes this memorial, I reached my destination. And upon reaching my destination, I soon forgot the sight I had passed.

Except when I passed this tribute again and again and again. Then I started pondering it. I started pondering all the tributes which are left on roadsides for weeks on end.

The memorial isn’t remembering a tragedy which happened last week, or even last month. It happened earlier this year. So how does a never-ending tribute, well past its sell-by date, help ease the pain of those left behind?

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