We hear so much about what is wrong in our world its a wonder the light can ever get through but shine on it does! And a lot of the brightness we experience is ignited by people who follow the promptings of their heart and in so doing touch the hearts of others often in their hour of greatest need.

The following inspirational and touching story happened after an Il Divo concert in Ireland last weekend. The names I’m using are fictional to respect the privacy of the family. It’s a story that I had the honour of being a part of as it revolves around one my brothers father in law, Dave, his wife Mary and their two grown up daugthers.

Last Friday Dave, my brothers Father in law and Mary, his wife, were going out for an enjoyable evening together. And I’m sure their enjoyment was pretty much guaranteed as they were attending an Il Divo concert in the intimate and beautiful surroundings of Kilruddery House Co Wicklow, Ireland.

The concert went well and as they were departing Dave asked one of the security guards could he open a gate to shorten the distance he had to walk (Dave had a hip replacement recently and I believe was feeling a little tired). Dave’s daughter had just arrived to collect her parents from the concert.

The next minute Dave sat down and fell into unconsciousness.  We can only imagine what was happening for Daves wife and daughter as the ambulance arrived to take him to hospital. For about an hour the Doctors and nurses tried to revive Dave but to no avail and Dave passed away that evening.

We can also only imagine the shock of it all for the family. It is like what the well known Irish philosopher and writer John O’Donohue (1956-2008) described when he said – “it only takes a few seconds to receive that news. Yet, when you put the phone down, you are already standing in a different world”

Even though many of us feel we would like to control everything in our lives there are things which for better or worse, we simply have no control over and one of them is of course, the passing of a loved one. Yet what we do have control over is our response.

Yesterday after having the honour of bagpiping for Dave’s funeral we were sitting for a meal. It was during the meal that I heard about how Il Divo responded when they heard the news of Dave’s passing after attending their concert.

They took the time to send a beautiful bunch of flowers to Dave’s wife Mary and personally sign them for her and her two daughters. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful were my only thoughts when I heard this. And even though I love the music of Il Divo myself, this said more to me than any of their songs about their true character. Absolute gentlemen.

And I share it here to remind us all about the beauty, compassion, love and light that exists in our world. And it is this that we need to nourish, celebrate and glorify in our own lives and in the world at large. May love guide our way.

May Dave’s love live on through his family and may they find strength, comfort and courage at this time.

Here’s an Il Divo video for you to enjoy:

Join us on a peace retreat in Assisi from 23-30 October just email sean@seanmkelly.com for details. It will be a life enhancing experience!