What really matters

Two young lovers were sent into all our lives this week, to teach us all a special lesson. One of them will not, or at least according to surgeons should not, be with us for too long. This tragic story of two star crossed lovers was sent to draw the goodness from the hearts of Cork people, and it really did. Sometimes as a radio presenter I am handed gilt edge opportunities to make a difference in peoples lives and I believe that in the past week I and those that work with me, were given that chance.

English woman Lynnette Coxall and her Spanish fiance Eric Schroder, will have married by the time you read this column.

As I write it, near midnight the night before the wedding I can only imagine how Lynette must be feeling. I would hazard a guess that Eric is tired and resting in his hospital bed. Fiona, their maid of honour, called me on Friday to say Eric had only weeks to live; his bowel cancer had spread rapidly and at the age of 30 he had a month max to live.

They wanted one last wish, to be married before he dies. I have never met the couple and hopefully all going well we will meet on Wednesday afternoon. This was to be a race against time, five days to plan a wedding from scratch and companies and individuals scrambled to be part of the event.

From event managers, to catering companies, jewellers to bridal boutiques, cake makers to magazines. From floral arrangers to limo and Rolls Royce owners, even cash. Wine merchants to hairdressers, clothing companies to hotels,...... all wanting to be part of making the dream come true.

This was for no personal gain, I believe we all felt that we were part of something special. A friend of mine texted me to say we were making beautiful memories, short ones for brave Eric, but memories to last a lifetime for Lynette and all the friends that Eric will have touched in his short life. In this carnage after the Celtic Tiger I believe this is an important message of hope for us all. For too long we had become poisoned ourselves with our own cancer, the cancer of want and greed. A tumour of self absorption, where we all wanted to have more than the guy next door.

Bigger houses, newer cars, flashier summer homes, designer fashions, and to hell with the price. We saw no end to it, higher wages and fatter bank accounts and step on the other guy to achieve it.

Time to live the right life and fight the right fight. They have shown us a brief glimpse through the window of what life should really be all about. Each and every one of us should strive to be happy and should shed all things and situations that impede us on this journey.

We should teach respect to or children and cherish family and friends. I wish both of them nothing but respect on their Journey.