Trick or Treat

Hi Chris, 

Today was Halloween, it was a beautiful day. In case you didn’t realize, during your wake Tommy left a small skull candy by your hand. He said it was so you could celebrate Halloween. I thought that was both sweet and hysterical - we left it there and I didn’t bother to explain it unless explicitly asked. We stayed by your side the whole wake - did you see? Kate laid her head on your coffin and James, Gemma, Dad and I stood close by. Mom sat further away, she couldn’t bare being too close. For the last hour I held your hand. I still can’t believe that’s the last time I’ll ever see you. 

I barely left the house today, just for a run in the “morning” (morning these days is noonish). The First Week (last week) I didn’t get any exercise. I couldn’t. I’m trying to get back into it. You also loved exercise. We went to the gym together a bunch over the past month. We even did a workout in the backyard. I improvised but you said you loved it - “box jumps” on rocks, pull ups on the broken-down arbor we built decades ago, shuttle runs across the backyard, jump rope. In a circuit. For about 20 minutes.  

This week I tell myself I’m working out for you. That’s much easier than doing it for me. 

James’ friends gave him and you an Irish Cross the day of the wake. You’re buried with it around your neck. It rests on one of my wool ties that I bought in Frankfurt in 2012 (not too far from Tommy’s skull). After the funeral, someone stopped by the jeweller to get the same crosses for me and Dad too. When the jeweller heard he gave the extra two free of charge. Honestly it’s not at all my style. I never wear jewellery. And I’m not really religious. I don’t even feel particularly Irish. But I already love wearing it. I wear it under my shirt and forget that it’s on most of the time, but when I run I feel it tug on my neck and tap the skin over my heart. I tell myself I’m running for you. 

Love,

Mike

You were buried with the necklace, rosaries, and a Tommy Scogs bracelet. The kids added some rocks (or glass?), leaves, and little Tommy added the aforementioned Skull. Kate also gave you a piece of her cherished “blankey” which she preserved nearly 40 years (you know how big a deal it is for her to part with this!). She wrote a note to go with it.

The Cross on You - we all have them now - you, me, Dad, James.

The infamous skull :)