Remembering a friend from "My Island"

There isn’t a day that goes by where you don’t hear of a heart wrenching tragedy... People dying, terrorist bombers, children being abused, governments in trouble, someone has cancer, or mass-shootings... The world seems to be a much more complicated place these days. The simple things that once touched influenced and moved people are now overshadowed by tragic, unheard of misfortunes.

You hear about these ridiculous, unnecessary tragedies - where someone was murdered or abused & you somewhat let it affect you...You think about how horrible it must be for that family, how sick the accused must have been & how tragic it is for the victim...But then like anything you move on...

This time though - the victim was a friend...

I received a message a few days ago from Ireland and this time I can’t move on...That "victim" that "man " described in the paper is was my friend...A friend I use to look up to as a writer/journalist when I moved to Ireland & landed a job at an Irish newspaper...A friend that I use to go for drinks with every Friday and get in heated debates over his unbudging-conservative views...A friend that despite being an ocean apart the last handful of years would still let me know he cared, commenting on so many photos of my hooligans...A friend who as a writer, took the time to encourage me in my journey as one...

• 
• 
  

  Tom O'Gorman
  

  Missing you
  

  Ireland misses you, I meant: NOT proposing a general Voice reunion. Just wanted to let you know your writing and what you are doing is changing lives. I always knew there was something special about you.

..........................................................

A friend who 3 days ago was beaten & stabbed to death in a horrific way.  

And while anytime I hear of a tragedy I am reminded how fragile life is - Hearing about my friend has really hit home...Now, more than ever, I realize that every single day, really is a gift...

So that being said....So what if I stay up too late reading, writing or watching tv? So what if I take way too many pictures of the hooligans? So what if I pretend I'm still cool & get my groove on to songs in my big, old minivan? So what if I have piles of laundry to do & choose a playdate instead? So what if I'm supposed to be taming the bulge but eat chocolate daily? So what if I get drunk on New Year’s Eve, dance around like it's my job & puke in my friend's bathroom? So what if I wear the same leggings 4 days in a row & couldn't care less? So what if I enjoy each day for what it is...This is it folks... One life...One chance at it... Make it what it needs to be... 

I’ve always tried to live my life with the reality that this is it- Do it up- Live it up...But sometimes life becomes mundane - especially life as a stay at home mom...But then you hear of a young mom struggling because of breast cancer, or a family that died in a car accident or the unthinkable like a friend being murdered & life, even the mundane days seems so exquisitely beautiful...

You realize there is so, so much to do and see and feel. So many people to meet, places to see and foods to taste. So many more kisses to get and hugs to embrace. So much more and all we have is this lifetime to do it in. So live it up friends...

Whenever I think of "my Island - Ireland" you will be a part of it...Good bye friend... Remembering you always as a kind soul...