WE were walking through the High Street, in bright sunshine, on Saturday when my eight-year-old daughter said something which took me by surprise. Ten minutes earlier she had been crying her eyes out and accusing me of being a 'mean dad' when she was limited to one robotic toy called Bionicle, instead of a complete set.

But then she asked something rather simple but very thought-provoking. She asked "Who made us?" and as a Muslim, I had no hesitation in saying God has created everything including us. But as she thought a little more she observed that "If we were not born there would be a blank". I am not sure if she was going over some part of her RE lesson, so I could only agree with her. Would it matter if we were not here? Well we only know because we have been born against odds of millions to one. I feel we should celebrate what is good and not dwell too much on the miseries visited upon us, which can be summed up as "that's life". This helped me put into perspective the news in last week's BFP about the demise of well-known local character called Frank Brunner.

I first met him during the District Council elections of 1983, when I had the privilege of canvassing him for support. He was engaging and forthright with a great deal of understanding of world issues while also passionately interested in local issues. He had strong views but put them with a smile and always had the courtesy to listen to the other point of view. Ever since the early 1980s it was very rare for us to meet and not stop to exchange a few words. For some time he used to meet his partner Sandie off the train at Wycombe, with the dogs in tow and if I alighted from the same train conversations lasting from five to 15 minutes were common. I only met them walking the dogs just before the general election, when he was full of life and there was no hint his time was nearly up. He will no doubt be missed by his nearest and dearest but he will also be missed by people like me who only occasionally met him. I for one will miss our chats and I would like to offer Sandie and other members of his family my sincerest condolences. His untimely passing proves that if you come on this earth and are useful to others you are remembered by them as well as your immediate family.