When I returned to the hospital she lay there, cold, gone from a world that never gave her much, emotionally or materially.
I failed miserably to control a river of tears that drenched my face as I held her hands and mentally traced my steps backward to happier times.
The doctor said that she went peacefully; she didn’t appear to experience any pain. I knew from that day onwards that I had to carry the torch for both of us; for everyone.
Since then I have found solace amongst the rocks and brittle sand where I dream about her smile, her humanity and her lust for life.
I will continue to visit our special beach and no doubt I will cry, curse out loud and toss rounded stones towards calming waves that will break the cold winds from the storms that lie ahead.
Sean Maguire