As we approach Xmas, at the penultimate Sunday before Xmas, I am in a bit of a pensive mood this morning. I opened the email from our church, as I do most Sundays. The first thing I check is the funeral notices. I was saddened to see two names of people I know on the list. It made me feel rather sad to read them. One of them, Gary, was the Dad of one of my daughters primary school classmates. He was a cab driver and always kept himself in good shape. His kids are lovely and still friends with my daughter. He's been ill with cancer for several years and sadly, he finally succumbed. For me, to see a man a couple of years younger than me, with a lot of life left in front of him, it seems cruel, tragic and unfair. I feel so sorry for his wife Suzanne, who lost her parents recently as well. Of course her kids will provide some comfort for her, but I cannot imagine how lonely it will be for her, waking up without her life partner.
The other funeral listing was not quite so tragic, but still it was very sad. It was a chap called Brian who was the Dad of one of my best friends when I was at St Vincents. I lost touch with John (his son) after I left FCHS, which he also attended. When I stood for council in 2010, I had the pleasure of knocking on Brians door and having a long chat with him. It was one of the joys of canvassing and would annoy my fellow canvassers intensely, but hey ho, it was a big positive for me. In 2018, when we stood again, I caught up with Brian. Sadly in 2022, when I knocked, I was not greeted by him or his wife, but by a carer. He wasn't in good shape. I don't know the story, but I will pay my respects and hope to say hi to John for the first time in 47 years. When I spoke to Brian in 2010, he told me he'd regularly play golf with John. I lost my Dad in 1987, I never really had much quality time with him. I've made a point of taking my son to Football regularly. We spend invaluable time together and I hope that when I go, that is these things he recalls.
I will be saying a prayer for Brian and Gary's family, hoping they find a bit of solace and that this Christmas is not too difficult a time for them, as we recall good times past.
I have one little request for all of my male readers aged around 50 or above. Although Gary's cancer wasn't prostate, it is the most common cancer killer of men and it is avoidable. Please get a PSA test and get yourself checked. If I hadn't had a PSA test in 2011 and had it detected, it may well have been me on that list, rather than writing about it. I wrote a little song and made a video about my own personal struggle. Have a listen and please share the message.
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