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The Elon Musk story around school bullying not only went viral on Biznews, but it also brought back some memories for many, especially around school bullying. And in Alec’s piece, he referred to how his late son Travis, was similar to the schoolboy Elon Musk in many ways, as he too was bullied mercilessly at school. Travis’ eulogy lead to reader Carol Anne O’Brien, sending the message below about the passing of her eldest son David. This is a truly heartfelt piece.
from Carol Anne O’Brien
My eldest son, David, passed away a year ago on 14 July from a heart attack shortly before his 44th birthday after two years of business and personal challenges. One of his dreams was to relocate to Ireland. That dream and some of the words in your son’s eulogy… he has at last found peace and a place better suited to his special gifts. Knowing that helps ease a little of our pain, and the system always found a way of disappointing him, resonate with David’s life’s journey, and how I feel about his death. An extract from one of David’s poems describe how systems that surround us affected him… One Day, where hours meet seconds, thoughts are singular and free. An infinite respite from the weeds that strangle us.
A friend who also lost a son some years ago says that the pain does not go away, it only gets easier to deal with as time passes… true. In addition to David’s creativity he had a wonderful and quirky sense of humour – memories of the latter often make me and others smile. Your short prayer at the end of Travis’s eulogy, resonate with the words [below] sent to me by another friend.
When it is hard to understand
I’ll lend you for a while a child of mine, He said, for you to love while he lives and mourn for when he is dead. It may be six or seven years, Or twenty-two or three, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me?
He’ll bring his charm to gladden you and should his stay be brief, you’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth must return, but there are lessons to be taught down there I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked the whole world over In search of teachers true, and from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain, nor hate Me when I come to call him back again?
I fancied that I heard them say, ‘Dear Lord, Thy will be done! For all the joy Thy child shall bring the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may, and for all the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay. But should the Angels call for him much sooner than we planned, we’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand’
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