Tell someone you love them today

Please for me – open your heart today and text an old friend, tell someone you love them, remind someone of the joys you have shared together in the past.

Yesterday was a very sad day for me.. a lovely friend of mine, Henry died  at age 40.

4 weeks ago he felt chest pains on the tube home, managed to call ambulance and open the door of his home to them, had a heart attack in the ambulance on the Tuesday night. He was able to speak to his family the next morning before a 15 hr op to repair his heart. Unfortunately there was so much damage and ongoing bleeding that he has been in a medically coma for the last 4 weeks and the doctors couldnt save him, though they fought hard.

He was a truly lovely funny brilliant guy. He lived next door to me for a while  and set up and ran some of the coolest bars and private members bars in London. He stayed in the drinks industry and  travelled the world visiting companies.

My first, second and third reaction were all tears, but then as I was chanting for him tonight I started to remember so many funny  memories of our glory days as we all zipped round London into the next happening bar.

Henry was like a brother to me.- one typical story – He was running the coolest new London bar and one of his very sexy French waiters kept flirting with me in a very OTT way.
Finally Henry whispered to me ‘ Marysia, you know when Vincent is saying how lonely he is every morning waking up alone and having to make home made croissants and fresh OJ just for himself? Well you do realise every morning he is actually waking up in the arms of a black transvestite cabaret singer called Derek  😉 !!!
(names have been changed to protect the not so innocent, but the rest of the story is completely true!!)

The other unexpected joy I have found during this terrible time  is in contacting so many of my friends from the old days, many of whom, as with Henry, I have not kept in constant touch. The love we all have for each other that still remains 14/15 years on from our first meetings, and the sudden need to contact and see each other.. that is what else Henry has given me in his leaving so suddenly at such a young age.. a remembrance to keep in touch with your friends, to tell them you love and appreciate them in your life. because you never do know when it will be the last time. I have not seen Henry in a year/years.. and yet I am crying at the loss.

So many of his friends on Facebook have over the last few weeks been posting messages of love and support to him as he fought hard, I am sure he never knew exactly how much he was loved. And this outpouring of love has no doubt touched his lovely family.

I sometimes look back at my socialite days and dismiss them as diletante wasted moments.. but actually whilst yes I could have got more work done, they were joyous.. and full of laughter and life.. and i wouldn’t now trade those experiences for the world. Mistakes and all

So my thoughts are with his wonderful brothers as well as with Henry now he is no longer able to be called or text, or to see his cheery face. He was a true bon viveur, raconteur with the loveliest heart.