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Tag Archives: near death

I will live to flog another Goatsbridge Trout!!!

It’s been nine days since that fateful day in October when I had, what I can only describe as, my Near Death Experience.

The day started out like any normal day. A day packed with the expectation of any other day as I prepared to head to Dublin to do a live TV3 program for Goatsbridge Trout on The 7 O’Clock Show.

The last conversation I remember having in my home town was with my local grocer’s daughters as I collected some dry cleaning.  We discussed the funeral of a friend James McHale, an American who facing death, did not want a traditional ceremony but something meaningful to his life, times and beliefs. It was the loveliest funeral at Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground in County Wexford. James received a glorious send-off with no priestly palaver – just a harmonica, a bodhrán and the soughing of the wind in the trees.

He was a writer and wrote the following which I will never forget:

 I love my friends neither with my heart nor with my mind.

Just in case…

Heart might stop.

Mind can forget.

I love them with my soul….

As I left the shop I told the girls that if I died I would like to be remembered just as James was remembered; they were to have a big party, quote poetry and laugh.

Little did I think two hours later as I drove up the M7 motorway, my life almost changed forever. I hit a car from behind that had experienced engine failure and had slowed down suddenly. I had cruise control on and for some reason I did not react fast enough.  The car went hurdling into the air, tumbled three times before coming to a standstill.

What did I think about? How did I feel?

I remember telling myself to go with the flow, not to fight it. I felt an inner peace, calmness. Once the car stopped I knew I was still alive but I waited for something to crash into my car as I thought I had landed on the opposite side of the motorway.

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and we will call it fate. I was fated to live.

Beyond that time that innate fear of death we all seem to be born with just vanished. I really believe fear doesn’t stop death but it will stop life. Perhaps all of life is a near death experience.

As I was stretchered away I hurriedly passed the bag of trout goodies I was briging to the TV station for tastings to the lovely young nurse who was by my side as the paramedics removed me from the car. I then made her promise to use trout on her wedding menu early next year in Wexford .

I smiled to myself and thought of an expression I once heard … “Only the good die young”

I guess my job is not done.

Eat Trout

Photo credit: Aquarium I via photopin (license)