St. Francis of Assisi gave humankind the wise words now regarded as The Serenity Prayer ? ‘Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.?
In light of the tragic death of Daryne Gailey, the man I considered a friend since grade school, and his beautiful infant daughter, these words have embedded themselves foremost in my mind.
I do not yet have the strength, and although I know I cannot change it, I have yet to accept it.
I would like to consider myself wise enough to know that about myself, and yet, I do not. Not yet at least.
I have attempted to put words together to adequately express how I feel but I am at a total loss.
My words seem foolish and simple, when the events deserve much more than I can say.
This is difficult for me, since words are my life, but sometimes there are no words. There are no words that can describe the love and admiration that this community had for one man.
When I was in grade school, one of my most vivid memories was of Daryne and I in the fourth grade.
My grandparents came into town and surprised me at school one day.
My elementary school was about as big as a thimble, so if a family member was there, everyone knew and everyone knew everybody anyway.
That day, Daryne ran up to them, gave them each a big hug, and then proceeded to shout to me that my grandparents were there.
From that day forward, he never stopped asking about them, even at our 10-year class reunion. He asked about them, and then he asked about me and met my husband.
Daryne was always kind and he always knew just what to say and just the right time to say it.
In 2009-10, my mom and I were pounding the pavement on the streets of Oxford, training our feet to walk in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day.
He spotted us one day, one of the hottest days of the summer, and he stopped on the side of Pontiac Street, just to talk for a couple of minutes. He offered to get us water and cheered as we walked away that day.
I treasure my childhood memories and the people that helped shape them.
Today, I like to fancy myself someone that is good and someone that is kind, but even on my best days, I am no Daryne Gailey.
At last, here I am, sitting at a computer, reading dozens of wonderful comments about him from people I still consider friends, those I used to know, and from those whose names I do not recognize.
Daryne, you were loved by multitudes, you and your little girl.
I suppose that it goes without saying how much you will be missed. You were the real deal Good Sir.
I hope, that one day, when I become a parent, I can teach my children the grace and the love that you displayed naturally.
You never lost the intrinsic joy that human beings are born having, but people can be hasty to grow up only to become jaded adults.
You were a joyous person, and I believe you saw the good in everyone, even those did not deserved it or never realized that you were bestowing it upon them.
The only words I can think of are: I loved you my friend.
Please shine your star down on me from time to time to check in, and keep my friends and loved ones company.
Until we meet again? adieu, and keep the music playing.
Melissa St. Pierre (Scott)