The First Year After Rob-O's Death

     "The winter solstice, I would say, is perhaps the best day of the year to reflect upon old friends, those who have gone before us, and to satisfy our hearts with the warmth of memories and a nice drink beside the crackle of a yellow fire."

          I don’t know whether I’ve thought about the man more since the day of his death one year ago, or if it just feels that way.  Rob O’Brady         brought a lot of joy into the world whether he meant to or not.  It was just his nature.  He was, after all, an Irishman through and through and that meant that even when something pissed him off, a nice cold beer and seeing a friend would soon enough turn it into laughter.  And Rob-O was never far from a good friend; he had them everywhere. When O’Brady liked you, you knew it; and whenever he saw a friend he was genuinely happy about seeing them.  It showed on his face and in his eyes.  He would have made a great grandfather for the grandchildren that will never really know him.  O’Brady liked people.   He also liked beer, pizza, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots.  He liked music, The Irish Rovers and he liked the eight year old child who lived just under the grey of his hair and beard.  I saw that little boy pop out so often; sometimes in just a single word or fleeting expression or gesture.  He never forgot how to play.  Sometimes he didn’t do it; but circumstances could change from bad to terrific in a heartbeat for the O’Brady I’m remembering. He was as jolly as an Irishman could be.  It would have been wrong for him to be anything other than a few pounds overweight.  And although things he did weren’t always things that were good for his heart, that’s exactly where they came from.  A heart like that stays very busy. 

He can still bring a smile to my face, and I’m sure there are many others who would say the same.  Rob O’Brady was a nice man, a good man and he knew well how to be a good friend. During the past year I can’t say how many times I’ve thought about him.  I guess that’s what happens when you miss someone, especially when that’s something you never even though about happening.