I was approached by someone in the lunch break after I spoke yesterday at TEDx Stormont on the subject of saying ‘Yes’ to life after death. It’s a topic that matters deeply to me following the loss of my childhood sweetheart and husband John to pancreatic cancer almost three years ago.
The person said: “My mum lost her husband, my dad before Covid. Your talk inspired me. How can I help my mum move forward because I can’t fill that space?” Even having had that conversation made doing the talk worthwhile. It made it real because it impacted on someone’s life.
The TEDx platform I was given was a worthy one because it showed the talk to be relevant to people in all walks of life. Death will come to us all. Talking about it, demystifying death and dying, grief and widowhood is important to me. It’s part of John’s legacy. It’s part of the ‘Be and Be Better, Because They Existed.’
I hope, through my own story, I have shown there are many different possibilities for life beyond death. I also want to thank the other speakers for their energy and support and of course the organisers for putting on such a special event.
Eva Grosman Camilla Long, MCMI for your faith in me and guidance. Thank you! Zachary Hutchinson for being a calm presence in the green room.
Sinead Sharkey-Steenson Nuala Murphy Dorcas Crawford Ruth Flood for supporting and putting up with me the past few months while I have been crafting the talk.
Cherith Semple & Jeff Hanna for opening up so many opportunities for using my lived experience.
NIPANC Board for championing my work and continuing to support me as I spread the word about Pancreatic Cancer.
My amazing clients, who trust me enough to let me ask them life-changing questions. I can’t add you here, but you know who you are.
My Lean In Belfast network and all the others who came to support me Naomhín Love Lynne Miskelly Nadine Campbell Jules Black MBA Paula Quigley Gillian Orr John Dickinson Una Carlin Rosie Strutt Sara McCracken FCIPR Arlene McPhillips FCIPR Karen McShane and those who championed me from afar. Thank you.
#connectionmatters
