We went to school together throughout the primary and secondary years. We were good friends. He took me to my first concert that I went to (without my big sister looking after me). We spent the day in London before going to Hammersmith Odeon to watch Marillion's Fugazi Tour. We hung out together as teenagers going to the pub, to parties or just hanging out at friends' houses. (Goodness knows where their parents were when we took over their living rooms. It never occurred to me then, but now I'm puzzled?!) Pete was always really protective of me. We were close.
We lost touch post A'Levels as I became a mother and moved away from our hometown of Slough. Years later, via the wonders of Friends Reunited, we got back into contact and exchanged lengthy emails filling each other in on the missing ten years, marriage, kids, jobs. Then as Facebook became the communication media of choice, we commented on each others' photos and statuses. His profile pic was a familiar icon in my Newsfeed.
His Facebook wall says that "Pete is attending 2013". He joined that group showing his optimistic belief that the world won't end in 2012 whatever the Aztecs believed! That made me cry. He had posted on the Scout's Facebook wall to remind the boys to bring waterproofs because the weather this weekend was set to be atrocious. He had just found out which celebrities shared his birthday.
Now suddenly he's gone.
Hearing news like this is so sobering. It puts everything into perspective in your life. It makes you appreciate everything you have, everyone you love. It makes you hug your loved ones a little tighter. It makes you promise yourself that you will overhaul your diet, your lifestyle and your fitness levels. It reminds you just how precious life is.
So Rest in Peace my friend. I'll listen to some Marillion in your honour and smile at our shared memories. And I'll yet again remind myself of the fragility of life so I live each day to its fullest potential and try to be the best person I can be.
