YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN
On August 29, 2024, thirty-one-year-old NHL hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his best friend, twenty-nine-year-old brother Matthew were hit by a drunk driver and killed while out for a ride on their bicycles.
It was not only the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding in which they were to be groomsmen, but it was later learned that both Johnny and Matthew’s wives, Meredith and Madeline, were expecting.
Unfortunately, this kind of tragedy happens far too often and except for its famous victims and heartbreaking backstory every family affected by drunk driving is left absolutely devastated by its aftermath.
So, I wrote “You Can Go Home Again” not only on behalf of the Gaudreau family, but also in the hope that Johnny and Matthew’s legacy might have a lasting impact on drunk driving prevention in keeping with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and their ongoing mission to ensure “Impaired Driving Ends Here.”
You Can Go Home Again
One day I went for a bike ride and when I returned home. I was completely alone. Then with a knock on the door. I was chilled to my core. When I saw grandpa there. And felt my eyes well up with tears. As he had been dead for many years.
He told me; I had come home at the just right time, and everything was going to be fine. He said, my wife was not here yet but soon would be. And although she couldn't have missed me more. There were plenty of others for us to meet before.
There’re your grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends you haven't seen in a while. Who would like to ask how you’ve been and see your sweet smile.
The air filled with laughter, as we all reminisced and I couldn't believe the memories, moments. And people; I had missed. Then my wife entered the room and knew her doubts had been untrue. When I said, I've been waiting for you. And we were no longer one, but two.
As I look back on this day, I realized what happened, and when. I not only spent it with mine. And many, a friend. I got to go home again. My life did not end.
© Richard Lawrence Belford
About the Author: Richard Lawrence Belford has been writing parables that carry grieving people through the hardest seasons of their lives for more than twenty-five years. A parable is a symbolic short story that illustrates or teaches some truth, religious principle or moral lesson.
He is the author of "It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later; A Collection Of Inspirational Parables” and its 2nd edition; “The Best Is Yet To Come." They are both available on Amazon.
In this life no one is promised tomorrow and people often leave or are left wishing they had just five more minutes and not even Spring’s promise can give those who grieve what they would truly love.
This makes grief one of society’s most misunderstood and profoundly difficult experiences that cannot be resolved by closure if there's even such a thing, but by the slow measure of acceptance that only the passage of time and words of comfort can provide.
Prince William read his words and wrote back from St. James Palace. The Centering Corporation, the largest grief resource center in North America carries his work in their Centering Grief Resources library. The United Kingdom's The Good Grief Trust has recognized his writings. The 9/11 Memorial Artist Registry holds his name and Love What Matters have lent his voice to their readers.
Richard wrote, “The world goes on without them, for most it goes unchanged, but for some it will never be the same." The people for whom everything has changed are those sitting alone at 2am after losing a parent, spouse, child, sibling, an uncle, an aunt or good friend. His words can make their loss feel more bearable, and after twenty-five years of writing they deserve to find them.
If you would like to learn more regarding his writing’s inspiring stories about life, love and loss simply visit: www.RichardLawrenceBelford.ca.
