Des rencontres mémorables

I recently had a chance encounter with a husband and wife couple whom I had not seen in over ten years, possibly even longer. As we caught up and reminisced about old times, it became clear just how swiftly life seems to pass us by. We found ourselves reflecting on the fact that we are now the same age we once considered to be “over the hill” back when we were in our twenties, full of youthful energy and dreams. It’s so easy to take so many things for granted in the rush of everyday life, often overlooking the truly cherished moments that quietly slip away. Only later, with the benefit of hindsight, do we fully appreciate those times, realizing that they are unique experiences that cannot be relived or recaptured again.

They sincerely apologised for bringing up our situation, understanding it might be difficult, but they were genuinely empathetic and caring towards us throughout the conversation. We heard you on the Joe Duffy show, and after listening carefully, we were patiently waiting for the right moment to reach out and offer our heartfelt support. They guessed that we were probably sick and tired of people constantly asking about the situation, and they truly only wanted to say sorry for all the awful crap that you and Susan have been going through recently.

They asked if the situation was still ongoing, and I found myself unsure how to respond with any real clarity or confidence. I explained that we have had little to no communication from the Gardaí, so as things stand, all I can say is that we don’t really give it much thought anymore. It’s more or less in the background now, and that’s generally how we choose to view it these days. They then inquired whether we felt somehow threatened or in fear of physical harm. I replied that, well, it’s been close to six years now, and it seems unlikely they would ever have the courage to confront us directly. Ah, sure Dave, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten all the moves from your martial arts training days, they teased. We laughed and joked about it, but I did mention a friend of mine who runs a class that I was considering joining—something suitable for older folks like ourselves. Then something unexpected happened.

He handed me his business card and kindly asked me to reach out whenever I needed support. If it ever reaches a point where you feel completely lost, as if there is no way forward or very little hope left for resolving this situation, please rest assured that I am here to help. I promise I won’t interfere in your decisions or personal matters, but I want you to know that my offer of assistance is genuinely available whenever you might need it. He nodded in my direction and that sign was enough to assure me that he did not offer this without confidence he could help us solve this story. He said we are both smart people but we are not so 24 hours a day. Everyone makes mistakes, its inevitable.

They had both discovered this blog after a friend brought it to their attention. I explained that writing here was therapeutic—a way to unburden myself—and that it helped both of us. They joked, wondering if the letter writer would ever actually read it, but I honestly said they’re probably too absorbed in their own issues. In their eyes, we’re not important or significant enough to warrant their attention. He pointed out that they think you’re worthy enough to spend a fortune sending anonymous messages. I saw the amount you mentioned in one of your posts. Crazy, he said. What kind of clowns are they?

I called Susan on my way home, and she was deeply touched by the support they offered. Since then, his wife reached out to Susan privately and scheduled a pampering session at her spa. Susan reflected on the past few weeks, noting how many people from diverse backgrounds have come into our lives, bringing incredible positivity. Just imagine if we had burned our first letter—we would never have met these people, discovered our true selves, or realized that no matter what challenges life presents, we can overcome them with support from the most unexpected places.

Lots of Love

Dave