Fly by Night

My plan yesterday was to go into work and to sort out some days leave that I have carried over from last year, of course that went right out of my mind with everything that went on. The extra couple of days or so seemed pitiful when compared to those who have no days left to share with their children or with parents and I thought I would write them off. In the end I decided to brave the traffic into town as I was up early. I'm glad I did.......because......

I had only just sorted it all out when Liam arrived in the staffroom. As he entered he burst into floods of tears. As I held him he sobbed and managed to say that his friend, who had been missing since going to the concert on Monday, was now pronounced dead. He was twenty seven. A young man with a whole life ahead of him....gone. It is so utterly senseless. Liam had travelled to work on the bus and as he got off to come into base he had heard the terrible news. He hadn't wanted to break down in the street and he held it together until he walked into the staffroom. We all filled up.

I was working at Burnley Football Club today. The flags were all at half mast. The last donor of the afternoon told me she was a teacher at a school near the Arena, fortunately none of the children had gone to the concert, but an ex member of staff had lost his life there. Another colleague's daughter had had shrapnel removed from body yesterday and today she was having her leg amputated....she is seventeen. The donor broke down and I welled up. A hug, some tissues and extra time with her was needed. Even if we'd have been busy I would have spent just as long with her. We turned the conversation around and focussed on the wonderful, inspiring stories about people instead of the dregs of society.

Thank you for all the beautiful comments I received on yesterday's entry, I shall get round to replying as soon as I can. I have read the comments and it is all the positive thoughts and encouragement that we share that rise us all up above the scum who blight our world. 

I decided to stop off at Media City on the way home, even though I'm shattered. There is a light instillation on for a few days and it was a beautiful warm evening. The light was just disappearing at about 9:30pm and there were a few people sitting on the steps watching the changing colours on the whale, the fly, the squirrel and the polar bear. It was all very tranquil and calming after a busy few days.