Day 76: DVC’s blog

We all agreed to meet early the next morning and travel together.
Within a short few days we had booked flights, arranged for transport upon arrival & most importantly, we had been comforting our dear friend Michael. We were unfortunately travelling too Ballymena to attend the funeral of Michael’s beloved mummy Jennifer, who had been taken away from us in such a short space of time.

Myself, Darren & Niall landed at Belfast airport on that wet & windy Tuesday morning, feeling both anxious of the day ahead and sad for our friend and his family. We barely spoke much for the entire trip and when we did we spoke of our concern for Michael, and how we just wanted to give him a hug.

The one comment that was made however was that we looked like some sort of gay version of the Matrix, dressed in all black, wearing almost matching “leather” jackets. We knew Michael would notice this and that it would put a little smile on his face – which it certainly did!!

The ceremony went by in the blink of an eye. I stared at a photograph of Jennifer for the entire service. I felt sad, and angry but most of all I felt proud. Proud that my friend had the strenght to stand up in front of everyone and say such lovely things about his mummy.

Throughout the day, we ( being typically Irish ) ate, drank and met various friends and family of Jennifers. It was through these stories that I felt I really got to know Jennifer. Of course Michael had always spoken so highly of his mummy but I only had the pleasure of meeting the lady herself once.

The stories I heard showed me just how much Jennifer was loved by so many people. It showed me how she was a very well respected member of the community. Her friends shared stories with us of nights out together over the years, how they would have a few drinks, a laugh and of course a good gossip!

Jennifer was a loving, kind & generous woman, traits which she has passed on to her own children and this is why she will always be around us.

A sad day in so many ways, yet I felt a slight warmth inside getting to know the real Jennifer.

You will never be forgotten Jennifer.

Ps. Thank you for raising such a fabulous son, who has become apart of my own Manchester family.

Rest In Peace.