Only days ago, we all lost someone close to us, a good friend and acquaintance. This loss has hit us hard, as losses usually do. But for me, I think people may be wondering why it has hit me so badly. Why I have been so affected.
I guess, when I first started going to community bingo in the village, John was the first person I met. The first to pop out of the crowd and introduce himself. Although he was about 50 years my senior, age is only a number.
In fact, in our friendship, our names were only words too. It wasn't about who we were, or what we did. We were gathered together, each weekend, as warm company. There to have a laugh, and socialise. It was a place to forget about the lives we lived outside of that bingo hall.
The only thing that really mattered was a good sense of humour. And that's what I liked about John.
It is pointless to ramble on about turning back time and what we would have done different. We just have to face the devastating truth that he's gone.
I've learned a valuable lesson from this horrific experience though, and that is to live each day as your last. We have no idea what is just around the corner, but death is inevitable. We shouldn't live in fear of it.
I just want to say goodbye, to my friend, John McGarrigle. A man who has shown me, first hand, that decent people do exist in this world. And that friends can be found in the most unlikely of places. Rest in Peace...
Farewell, My Dear Friend
The first day we met,
You told me your name.
I took the seat beside you,
And did the same.
You were really warm and welcoming,
I had met a new friend.
And I've considered you as one, always,
Right up, past the end.
Days will keep moving forward,
And years will fly past.
But I see now that I should be treating
Each one as my last.
I hope that when I reach your age,
I'll have grown to be someone like you.
Someone who is happy, friendly and respectable,
As you know, out there, there are few.
I regret learning only little about you,
Now that it's too late, and you're gone.
But what I do know, I'll keep forever,
And I promise to remember you, my dear John.
It will come to deeply hit us,
That you're no longer here,
When we take a look around us,
And see a single, empty chair.
We will all continue to gather.
But it will never be the same.
For me, we have lost all spirit,
To out weekly, Saturday game.
I'm really glad that I met you.
You were significant in my life.
Now, you are free to ascend into Heaven,
Where you can live happily again, with your wife.
I just want to say thank you for the welcome,
And thank you for every weekend.
Rest in Peace, for ever more now.
And farewell, my dear friend.
27 August 2015
Dedicated to John McGarrigle .. 2015
<3 x
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