Something Like This

Survivor’s guilt is what sometimes happens when we survive and others don’t.

Late last night I heard of a tragic accident that killed the father of a young family that we know a little bit because the oldest boy, in the family of five children, is friends with one of our foster boys. And his dad, just 33, used to play football with our eldest son.

And I realised I was driving up at the same time as the accident happened, on the same road, in his direction, to the gig I was playing on Saturday. Oblivious to what was taking place a few miles ahead of me.

These sad occurrences are happening daily, somewhere. Often they don’t affect us, but if we live long enough we can’t help but be affected by the sadness that is forever out there in somebody’s life. Because sometimes it’s people we know. And it might have been us.

That is why it is so important to try and share the burden, share the pain, of those who are suffering. Even though that is nigh on impossible. Because we are all in it together. Sooner or later it will be we who need some comfort and understanding, though we always hope it won’t be something like this.

And the guilt? The guilt is unnecessary and unhelpful. Tragedy should simply serve to remind us that we need to appreciate life while we have it.

RIP Roddy Mc.