RIP Andy Bradshaw

Today an old friend (and one time game player) Andy was laid to rest. I had lost touch with Andy many years ago as you sometimes do. Thanks to Facebook he got back in touch and after a few exchanged messages I went to see him. I have to admit it was a shock meeting up again. He was not the happy go lucky lad I knew all those years ago. In short he was a bit of a mess and obviously not well. Still as the two hours of that first meeting flew by the old Andy kept peeping out as we talked about old times and friends either forgotten or recently seen. That was just a few months ago, since then I called round every couple of weeks until about six weeks ago when I was a bit off it and never got round to calling round with one thing and another. How I wish I had, I knew he was really ill but it was painful to see the person Andy had become. His illness was self inflicted but real none the less. I am grateful to have had the chance to see him again, grateful to have had those memories woken again, I will not say I will miss him as I had already lost the close friendship of before. I am only sad that some one who shone so brightly and was one of the few really funny guys out their could loose their shine and could not choose life over booze. I will remember the fun time Andy but hear this any one who uses alcohol as a prop in your life, it's not and lie as much to yourself or your loved ones, you can't lie to your body. Today was a sad day for many, especially his Mother who has had to watch. For Andy it must have been a blessing in so many ways.