Death comes to us all.

It can be sudden or a drawn out process that saps the strength and forbearance of not just the person but all those around them.

But it comes to us all.

It is never easy.
It is never welcome.

We want to hold on in the hope that the person we love will return to us.
A miracle will happen and we will have another few years.

But sometimes it just comes.

No preparation will make it easier.
And no words will ever be of comfort.

But when you think of Jack, you can’t help but smile.

Charming at times…stubborn as all get out at others.

A man who loved to laugh, to dance, to smile and best of all to do it with friends.

I have known Jack and Maureen since I was eight.

I was a precocious young child by all accounts who just wanted to play scrabble.

And Maureen and Jack took me in.

In fact they took us all in.

Encouraging, loving and full of joy.
A house that was never empty of love.

A place to escape.
A place to drink.
A place to sing.

And while the last few years have been tough…that home is still full of joy.

Full of the stories of dancing, drinking and laughing.

Of high jinks and low hangovers.

Of warm embraces and cheeky comments.

“Do you smoke when you have sex?” Jack once asked…
“No” was my quick response…
But the old devil had me…”but you do have sex?!”

He always had a quick remark and a smile for his favourites.

He was one of a kind and he did it his way…

Jack