Every year on the 2nd of July, my family meets in Epsom to spend the day together to remember my mum who died on this day in 2011.
Yesterday, we met at the church for a mass. As usual, it took me a while to get into the spirit of remembering. I’m always fidgeting in church and unable to concentrate. I’m always distracted and thinking of mischief.
It wasn’t until we got down to the hospice that I remembered.
The Princess Alice Hospice in Esher is an incredible institution.
They gave my mum dignity and kindness in her last days, making sure that she was cared for.
We went into the hospice chapel and I picked up the book of messages.
People write messages in this book for their loved ones who are dying or that have died.
The writing in this book is so raw. So real.
There’s no filter. No worry about other people reading them.
People write how much they miss someone. How they hope there’s no pain anymore.
How they can’t forget someone.
Reading these jolted me back into the present.
It reminded me of a great post by Mike Cernovich on Danger and Play (here), where he writes about the proper response to mass shootings (this was after Orlando).
The first thing to note is that you never know when you might be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You never know when you might be a victim of a mass shooting.
Cernovich says that you should be ready.
Tell your loved ones that you love them. Be ready for death.
I was reminded of this when I read those messages.
I told my family afterwards that I loved them and that they meant so much to me.
I felt lighter and better.
Do it now. Tell your loved ones that you love them.
Be ready for death.
All that matters is love.