Dedications

Simon and his memory inspired the wonderful dedications below.

Am I strong enough to speak aloud
of pain, of anguish, of the freezing cloud
surrounding us, as we lament his loss? So loved, adored.
Good friend to all. Bright spirit crowned with virtues few afford.
Can heaven yet deserve his gain?

The old, there’s little time for us to heal our pain,
the young, a much more hopeful stance can frame.
But for all here now suffering, torn, forlorn,
let us promise him this and on his next journey send:

Grieve steeply. Then, when done,
remember him, remember truest friend,
but most of all remember joy and fun.

Daddio

Against the Rules

By Paul Blay

From making me ugly-laugh over my breakfast bowl
To the greatest best man's speech ever told
Musically talented, in awe as you play
And making new friends like it’s just a Tuesday
You were always 
Admirably, against the rules

Moving your whole life all the way down under
No job, high risk – an adventurous hunger
But I knew you struggled with anxiety like me
Which just made it more impressive to see

And snowboarding double diamonds, no fear in sight,
While I stuck to the blue runs, you know - ‘doing it right’.
You’d smile, speed off - through the gad darn trees
What happened to caution? You were always.
Adventurously, against the rules

Or, when we hid away in a rented space
With our gaming equipment all over the place
The landlord came knocking, to advise on nice walks
My protocol is to hide, be silent, don’t talk
But you’d step up to answer, after all what’s the harm?
If they found that their dining table’s a server farm.
They’d be won over with the words you’d choose,
Charmingly, against the rules

You remembered every birthday, every card,
Every thoughtful gift that hit the mark.
While we’d all be safe - stick to the list
You’d surprise, with more than we'd wished.
Because love, to you, always includes
Being Thoughtfully against the rules.

When the terrifying news came through
And none of us knew what to do
You had only good things to say
Like “My wife’s been amazing today”
Or “I’m ok, I have my coffee”
Or “The good news is, they caught it early”
When the only thing I felt was blues 
You were Positively, against the rules

Although you battled fierce storms inside,
To me, you showed up with pride.
While I was lost - in grief and sorrow
For me, you were still just being Bro

I told you, it’s ok to be sad
I don’t believe this ‘normal bro’ facade
You agreed - but said it seemed like a chore
And with a glint in your eye, suggested gaming some more
I have seen you protect others before
And perhaps, for me, you were doing it once more

I saw your arm twitching, relentless, reminding
It must have been hell, an insidious binding
You told me of the black dog, sometimes pinning you down
That’s the closest I got to seeing you frown

In your shoes, I would be broken,
But you'd show up, despair unspoken
Sending the black dog back to school
Bravely against the rules.

When life drew the hardest line to cross,
You faced it your way, with hope, humour, no fuss
Just that wit, that spark, that fire that fuels
A heart forever
Against the rules.

And when your final song was through,
You left us proud, just like you do.
“Oh yeah,” you said — relief shone through —
Still teaching me what strength can do.
Still you.