COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

This past August 29th NHL hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver while out for a ride on their bicycles.

It was not only the eve of their sister's wedding in which they were to be groomsmen, but was later learnt that both their wives 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 are left absolutely devastated in its aftermath.

So, I wrote “You Can Go Home Again” and trust its heartfelt message of faith, promise and hope can provide some small measure of comfort this Christmas to anyone suffering the sudden and unexpected loss of a person dear to their heart.

It is my hope that everyone will share this article in an effort that will bring an increased level of awareness to drunk driving prevention in keeping with MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) 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 right time and everything was going to be just 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’s 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’s passage through time. 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

Richard is the author of "It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later; A Collection Of Inspirational Parables” and its newly released 2nd edition “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

In this life no one is promised tomorrow and we often leave or are left wishing we had just five more minutes. This makes grief one of society’s most profoundly difficult experiences that cannot be resolved by closure alone if there is even such a thing, but by the slow measure of acceptance that only the passage of time and words of comfort can provide.

GenZ Publishing believes Richard's words can provide that comfort and his new book will not only inspire those who read it to always say; “I’ll see you later, instead of goodbye", but also believe; “The best is yet to come!”

The book is available worldwide on amazon.com. If you would like to learn more please visit: www.richardlawrencebelford.ca

Richard has always felt that those who have experienced loss should support one another’s efforts to comfort others and is grateful to The Centering Corporation's Executive Director Janet Roberts and Grief Digest Magazine for theirs.

"The world goes on without them, for most it goes unchanged. But, for some it will never be the same.” ― Richard Lawrence Belford

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