Musician Jerry Fish on Losing His Cherished Longtime Friend

A London friendship Forged in Mud and Adventure

Their story began in the heart of London,two young souls finding solace and adventure in each other’s company.David Brockwell, a Cockney boy with a mop of blonde hair, and an Irish girl with dark locks and freckles, met at the tender age of five at Keyworth Primary School. “It was one of those rare encounters,” she recalls, “Meeting someone and immediately becoming best friends.”

Their days were a flurry of shared exploration. The Tower of London loomed large in their childhood, it’s grand walls whispering tales of history and intrigue. London’s all-day tube ticket was their passport to adventure, their youthful spirits buoyed by the endless possibilities of their urban playground.

“My mother always said Cockney and Dublin people were the same – river people,” she muses, evoking a vivid picture of her close-knit community.

those memories of jumping from barge to barge, landing in the Thames mud up to their knees, are testaments to their unbreakable bond. “The tide was out,but the Thames is very muddy – I was above my knees in mud. I looked up at David, and he jumped straight in beside me,” she remembers.”He didn’t hesitate,didn’t look for a rope,just jumped. That’s when we knew we were great friends. I loved him. I’m sure he loved me too.”

Life, however, had other plans. When she was 12, her family returned to Ireland. Distance became a necessary, tho painful, barrier. For a few years, their paths diverged as they navigated the complexities of growing up.

Fate,it seemed,had other plans. At 17, she found herself back in London, their paths colliding once again as adults. Their bond, though tested by time and distance, rekindled instantly. They discovered new facets of each other, sharing simple pleasures like beers in pubs, their laughter echoing with the weight of shared history.

A few years later, the call of adventure beckoned. “He sent an airmail letter from the Middle East, saying ‘come over here for an adventure’,” she recounts, her voice tinged with bittersweet nostalgia.

It was 1982,and she,at 19,was ready for a leap of faith. “I didn’t hesitate. I felt free, no ties – this was a chance to be even freer, see some of the world,” she reveals. “And he was giving me passage: ‘This is great, come over here, there’s sunshine!'”

She followed his trail across continents, embracing a nomadic existence that redefined her understanding of freedom. “I was away six to eight months. In the Sinai Desert,I lived among the Bedouins. I travelled, slept on beaches,” she shares, painting a vibrant picture of her transformative journey. “I hadn’t realized you could be so free, not need a house. It was life-changing for me, that freedom. on the way home, I went to Greece and lived on Naxos for a month.”

Returning to London, reconnecting with David was at the forefront of her mind.

Finding Solace in a Sad Story: A Journey of Loss, Connection, and Life

The news hit her like a tidal wave. “Returning home through London, one of the first things I did was go in a phone box and ring him,” she recalls. “his sister was strange on the phone….and she said… David had passed away, six weeks before.”

David, her confidante and lifelong companion, had been struck by a stolen car while crossing the road outside his house in Kennington Park Road. Her world, once brimming with shared adventures, was suddenly cloaked in an inescapable grief. David, the daring adventurer, the unwavering friend, was gone, leaving behind a void that seemed unachievable to fill.

Adding to the shock, she learned the funeral was taking place on the very day she made the call. “It was just remarkable that I rang then,” she shares, the coincidental timing serving as a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictable nature.

The day of the funeral was a blur of raw emotion, but a profound shift occurred later. While riding the bus back to Dublin, a sense of clarity washed over her. “A huge rainbow took up the whole sky, it seemed so splendid, wondrous,” she describes vividly. This breathtaking sight sparked a deep and undeniable sense of connection.

She felt David’s presence strongly, convinced he hadn’t truly vanished.”I could really feel the presence of David in that, in nature. there wasn’t a question. It was him in all his glory. I really felt he hadn’t fully vanished. He was with me, around,” she confides.That encounter marked a turning point. Life took on a renewed sense of purpose. “My life was never the same again, but strangely in a very positive way. I felt a comfort, that we are only visiting, and life is really to be enjoyed, got into, not wasted,” she reflects. Though David’s journey ended prematurely, she cherishes each day, believing he watches over her from somewhere beyond. “Every day since that day, I feel, even today, is one more day I have had on this beautiful planet that he is maybe looking at from elsewhere.”

Looking back, she recognizes the profound impact David’s absence had on her life. “it’s a sad story, but it’s not. It’s a story about perception. It informed me while very young that the notable things are not, maybe, the things we prioritize. So maybe David gave me permission to live. He was the one who gave me the great adventure in the first place, through his letters. So it was to keep going on the adventure.”

Guided by this newfound perspective, she embraces life’s journey, trusting her intuition. “And I have managed,through ups and downs,to follow my heart. I’m not religious but I am spiritual.I do get a sense of the miraculous nature of life,of nature’s intricate balance.”

Though loss remains a constant companion, she finds solace in remembering the enduring connection. “I’ve lost friends since. It always hurts. You can never really decipher it, but I try to hold onto that first lesson. You feel them around you, the fact they loved you and you loved them. You do get a sense, of energy, out there.”

Remarkable Encounters: An Interview with Mary About Loss,Life,and Finding Purpose

Mary,a vibrant soul with a spirit of adventure,opens up about her life journey marked by loss,resilience,and the profound impact of human connection.

As she speaks of David, her childhood best friend, her eyes reflect a poignant blend of nostalgia and a wistful ache. “My mother always said Cockney and Dublin people were the same – river people,” she muses, conjuring a vivid image of their tight-knit community.Memories of reckless escapades – jumping from barge to barge in the murky Thames, their laughter echoing across the water – stand as a testament to their unbreakable bond. “The tide was out, but the Thames is very muddy – I was above my knees in mud. I looked up at David and he jumped in straight away beside me,” she remembers, emphasizing David’s unwavering loyalty and fearless spirit. “He didn’t hesitate, didn’t look for a rope, just jumped. So we were great friends. I loved him. I’m sure he loved me too.”

Fate, however, had other plans. When Mary was 12, her family made the arduous decision to return to Ireland. Distance began to creep in, a necessary safeguard to protect their fragile feelings.For a few years, their paths diverged, the once inseparable duo lost in the whirlwind of growing up.

At 17, fate intervened once more when mary found herself back in London. Their bond, tested by time and distance, was rekindled. They discovered new facets of each other, finding joy in simple pleasures like sharing beers in pubs, their laughter carrying the weight of their shared history.

Shortly after, the call of adventure beckoned. “He sent an airmail letter from the middle East, saying, ‘come over here for an adventure,’” she recalls, her voice tinged with bittersweet nostalgia. It was 1982, and at 19, Mary was ready to embrace the unknown. “I didn’t hesitate. I felt free, no ties – this was a chance to be even freer, see some of the world. And he was giving me passage: ‘this is great, come over here, there’s sunshine,’” she reveals, capturing the allure of that life-changing opportunity.

She embarked on a nomadic existence, venturing into uncharted territories and redefining her understanding of freedom. “I was away six to eight months. In the Sinai desert, I lived amongst the Bedouins. I travelled, slept on beaches,” she shares, painting a vibrant picture of her transformative journey. “I hadn’t realised you could be so free, not need a house. It was life-changing for me, that freedom. On the way home,I went to Greece,lived on Naxos for a month.”

Upon returning to London, reconnecting with David was one of her first priorities. However, the jarring reality of his absence crashed upon her like a tidal wave. “Returning home through London, one of the first things I did was go in a phone box and ring him,” she recalls. “His sister was strange on the phone … and she said … David had passed away six weeks before.”

The world was filled with color and promise for the speaker, but a sudden tragedy abruptly changed everything. David, her lifelong companion, had been tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident. His absence left a gaping hole in her life,a void that seemed impossible to fill. “It was just remarkable that I rang then,” the speaker recalls, speaking about the chance timing of connecting with someone who shared their grief on the day of David’s funeral.

The intensity of grief was overwhelming, a blur of shock and disbelief. It wasn’t until later, while traveling back to Dublin, that a moment of profound clarity emerged. As she journeyed by bus,a breathtaking rainbow stretched across the entire sky. “A huge rainbow took up the whole sky, it seemed so splendid, wondrous,” she describes, her voice filled with emotion. It was as if David was reaching out, his spirit woven into the vibrant tapestry of nature.

“I could really feel the presence of David in that, in nature,” she shares, her conviction unwavering.”There wasn’t a question. It was him in all his glory. I really felt he hadn’t fully vanished.He was with me, around.”

This encounter ignited a spark of hope, a profound shift in perspective. Life,once overshadowed by grief,took on a renewed sense of purpose. “My life was never the same again, but strangely in a very positive way,” she reflects. “I felt a comfort, that we are only visiting, and life is really to be enjoyed, got into, not wasted.”

David’s memory became a guiding light, inspiring her to live life to the fullest. “Every day since that day, I feel, even today, is one more day I have had on this beautiful planet that he is maybe looking at from elsewhere,” she states, her voice laced with a quiet strength.

The speaker recognizes the profound impact of David’s absence, acknowledging the pain of loss while celebrating the enduring connection they share. “It’s a sad story, but it’s not. it’s a story about perception,” she explains. “It informed me while very young that the notable things are not, maybe, the things we prioritize.So maybe David gave me permission to live. He was the one who gave me the great adventure in the first place, through his letters. So it was to keep going on the adventure.”

Guiding herself by intuition and the memory of David’s adventurous spirit, the speaker eagerly embraces life’s journey. “And I have managed,through ups and downs,to follow my heart. I’m not religious but I am spiritual. I do get a sense of the miraculous nature of life, of nature’s intricate balance.”

The speaker acknowledges that the pain of loss remains a constant companion, reminding her of the preciousness of life and the enduring power of love. “I’ve lost friends as. It always hurts. You can never really decipher it, but I try to hold onto that first lesson. You feel them around you, the fact they loved you and you loved them. You do get a sense, of energy, out there.”

How has loss shaped your outlook on life’s priorities?

Remarkable Encounters: An Interview with Mary About Loss,Life,and Finding Purpose

Mary,a vibrant soul with a spirit of adventure,opens up about her life journey marked by loss,resilience,and the profound impact of human connection.

As she speaks of David, her childhood best friend, her eyes reflect a poignant blend of nostalgia and a wistful ache. “My mother always said Cockney and Dublin people were the same – river people,” she muses, conjuring a vivid image of their tight-knit community.memories of reckless escapades – jumping from barge too barge in the murky Thames, their laughter echoing across the water – stand as a testament to their unbreakable bond. “The tide was out, but the Thames is very muddy – I was above my knees in mud. I looked up at David and he jumped in straight away beside me,” she remembers, emphasizing David’s unwavering loyalty and fearless spirit. “He didn’t hesitate, didn’t look for a rope, just jumped. So we were great friends. I loved him. I’m sure he loved me too.”

Fate, though, had other plans. When Mary was 12,her family made the arduous decision to return to Ireland. Distance began to creep in, a necessary safeguard to protect their fragile feelings.For a few years, their paths diverged, the once inseparable duo lost in the whirlwind of growing up.

At 17,fate intervened once more when mary found herself back in London. Their bond, tested by time and distance, was rekindled. They discovered new facets of each other, finding joy in simple pleasures like sharing beers in pubs, their laughter carrying the weight of their shared history.

Shortly after, the call of adventure beckoned.“He sent an airmail letter from the middle East, saying, ‘come over here for an adventure,’” she recalls, her voice tinged with bittersweet nostalgia.It was 1982, and at 19, Mary was ready to embrace the unknown. “I didn’t hesitate. I felt free, no ties – this was a chance to be even freer, see some of the world. And he was giving me passage: ‘this is great,come over here,there’s sunshine,’” she reveals,capturing the allure of that life-changing opportunity.

She embarked on a nomadic existence, venturing into uncharted territories and redefining her understanding of freedom. “I was away six to eight months. In the Sinai desert, I lived amongst the Bedouins. I travelled, slept on beaches,” she shares, painting a vibrant picture of her transformative journey. “I hadn’t realised you could be so free, not need a house. It was life-changing for me, that freedom.On the way home,I went to Greece,lived on Naxos for a month.”

Upon returning to london, reconnecting with David was one of her first priorities. However, the jarring reality of his absence crashed upon her like a tidal wave. “Returning home through London, one of the first things I did was go in a phone box and ring him,” she recalls. “His sister was strange on the phone … and she said … David had passed away six weeks before.”

The world was filled with color and promise for Mary, but a sudden tragedy abruptly changed everything. David, her lifelong companion, had been tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident.His absence left a gaping hole in her life,a void that seemed unachievable to fill.”It was just remarkable that I rang then,” Mary recalls, speaking about the chance timing of connecting with someone who shared their grief on the day of David’s funeral.

The intensity of grief was overwhelming, a blur of shock and disbelief. It wasn’t until later, while traveling back to Dublin, that a moment of profound clarity emerged. As she journeyed by bus,a breathtaking rainbow stretched across the entire sky. “A huge rainbow took up the whole sky, it seemed so splendid, wondrous,” she describes, her voice filled with emotion. It was as if David was reaching out, his spirit woven into the vibrant tapestry of nature.

“I could really feel the presence of David in that, in nature,” she shares, her conviction unwavering.”There wasn’t a question. It was him in all his glory. I really felt he hadn’t fully vanished.He was with me, around.”

This encounter ignited a spark of hope, a profound shift in perspective. Life,once overshadowed by grief,took on a renewed sense of purpose.

“My life was never the same again,but strangely in a very positive way,” she reflects. “I felt a comfort, that we are only visiting, and life is really to be enjoyed, got into, not wasted.”

David’s memory became a guiding light, inspiring her to live life to the fullest. “Every day as that day, I feel, even today, is one more day I have had on this gorgeous planet that he is maybe looking at from elsewhere,” she states, her voice laced with a quiet strength.

Mary recognizes the profound impact of David’s absence,acknowledging the pain of loss while celebrating the enduring connection they share. “It’s a sad story, but it’s not. it’s a story about perception,” she explains. “It informed me while very young that the notable things are not, maybe, the things we prioritize. So maybe David gave me permission to live. He was the one who gave me the great adventure in the first place,through his letters. so it was to keep going on the adventure.”

Guiding herself by intuition and remembering David’s adventurous spirit, Mary eagerly embraces life’s journey. “And I have managed,through ups and downs,to follow my heart. I’m not religious but I am spiritual. I do get a sense of the miraculous nature of life, of nature’s intricate balance.”

The pain of loss remains a constant companion, reminding her of the preciousness of life and the enduring power of love.”I’ve lost friends as. It always hurts. You can never really decipher it, but I try to hold onto that first lesson. You feel them around you, the fact they loved you and you loved them. You do get a sense, of energy, out there.”

Thinking back,what memory of your loved one brings you the moast comfort? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.