02/04/2023
I am surprised and winded by my reaction to the loss of the lovely Paul O'Grady. It has made me think.
Why?
Why has this affected me so much.
Like many of us, the contents of my head confuses me as much as it confuses those around me, so I try to unscramble it like a puzzle. I have been doing this for years, but more and more since I have been going through the enigma that is the menopause.
This day, I have spent reflecting on many many things.
Why am I so emotional and truly devastated by the death of someone I never met?
Why am I so angry and sad that he died when had so much more to give?
Why is life so unfair?
Why do the good people go and leave us when the utterly sh*tty ones get to stay to reek havoc on the good people?
And then I stopped.
Really really suddenly.
It was an extraordinary moment in time. Just something so simple and so UN extraordinary.
My daughter, who many of you have known as a littlie who used to tip spagetti over her head and drive her single mother up the wall, walked in and said,
"Shall I walk Fletcher this evening, Mum, you are sad"
And that was it.
Life.
Death.
Grief.
Love.
They are ALL the same thing. They are intricately entwined and they are pretty much ALL inevitable - but not to everyone.
For example, narcissists don't feel love or grief. They are devoid of those precious but conjoined emotions.
Today, there was a massive outpouring of grief over a man who showed enormous amounts of compassion, empathy and humour - not only for his fellow man or woman - but, well in my mind anyway, for animals. That grief and sadness was laced in love.
So, to end today on a positive note, in the name of Paul O'Grady and ALL animal activists around the world, who are with us or who have moved on, they leave us with the most precious message of all.
Life is for living.
Life is for laughing and caring.
Life is for leaving behind a legacy of LOVE.
F**k status and money.
F**k popularity and politics
F**k power.
F**k collateral damage to get where you want to be.
Live you life with kindness and compassion. Plant trees in which the shade you know you will never sit - a quote from one of my favourite people in the world Ricky Gervais - well not from him, but from one of his extraordinary creations - over to you Ricky - the baton was taken on a while ago.
Live your life like tomorrow will never come, or your tomorrow will be forever changed.
Leave a legacy like Paul did.
I have not seen or heard ONE bad thing about that beautiful human ALL day. NOT ONE.
I am in awe.
Of your life.
Of your death.
Here is my tribute to your work.
Our rescue boy who we adore.
Sleep well sweetheart, and sleep well to all you lovely lot.
Make every moment count x