There are many people who help make PATH a wonderful team – a family indeed. Our printer (Accura Printing) is a crucial partner working hand in hand with our designers, clapping in excitement over our crazy ideas, and heroically nailing our often outrageous deadlines. They stand firmly beside us as we strive tirelessly to bolster up the lives of thousands in the helping professions.
We lost one of our printing team last week, suddenly, to meningitis. Kevin McTigue was only 33.
We want to take a moment to honor the creativity and radiant energy he brought to PATH. I’m not sure we ever got the chance to say how much we appreciated his work; bringing our precious art to life on the printing press. Nor did we ever explain how many lives he touched in so doing.
Though you may not have known him, what he represents and the lesson we can learn from the celebration of his life is well worth noting; or so said the lovely pastor who gave his eulogy. I had to agree, thus this post.
In short, Kevin was the definition of ebullient. Whatever his struggles, lest we pretend anyone is free from strife, those who love him say he always landed smiling and laughing, usually followed by a hug.
We all need a Kevin in our lives, in work and play.
So in his honor, take time to cherish those you love who lift you up and inspire you to be a happier, more carefree person. Get your silly on, in fact, no matter how hard the road right now; and give gratitude where gratitude is due because life is precious and all too short.
I was reminded, also from Kevin’s service, of the spark of joy inside us itching to break open toward our dreams. None of us lives without it though we often forget to let it free. Laughter and song are it’s launchpad.
Kevin’s adopted church sent him off into the mist with a beautiful musical tribute, leaving me with a poem stuck in my head. This beautiful work speaks to that spark – the little utterance of hope within us that indubitably heals from the inside out.
Pulizer Prize winning poet Mary Oliver’s I Will Try from her collection Red Bird:
I will try.
I will step from the house to see what I see
and hear and I will praise it.
I did not come into the world
to be comforted.
I came, like red bird, to sing.
But I’m not red bird, with his head-mop of flame
and the red triangle of his mouth
full of tongue and whistles,
but a woman whose love has vanished,
who thinks now, too much, of roots
and the dark places
where everything is simply holding on.
But this too, I believe, is a place
where God is keeping watch
until we rise, and step forth again and-
but wait. Be still. Listen!
Is it red bird? Or something
inside myself, singing?
Thank you Kevin and thank you Kevin’s loved ones. We’re thinking about you and wishing you well.
See you all on the PATH Ahead… way ahead.
PS. A brief note about bacterial meningitis:
Meningitis is an infection that targets the brain and spinal column. It can be hard to recognize, especially in the early stages, because the symptoms are similar to other more common illnesses. Meningitis progresses quickly, however, and can result in death within 24 hours. Symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Exhaustion
- Rash
Prevention: Take good care of yourself and bolster that precious immune system with lots of love, laughter, sleep, good food and exercise. When in crowds, or at parties, don’t share drinkware, utensils, or cosmetics.
If you develop symptoms: The best tool is to catch any infectious disease early. Don’t assume you’ve just got the flu if you have the above symptoms and they are getting worse quickly. Better safe than sorry, especially if you’ve been in contact with teens or large crowds and you’re feeling run down.
Worst case: Some strains of infectious disease, tragically, are insurmountable. In which case, we owe it to those we love to be sure our advanced directives (end of life wishes) are clearly defined and accessible. This difficult planning will be well worth the emotion it saves our families who must make decisions in the midst of their woe.
Above all, be wise and live everyday to its fullest so your eulogy will be as joyful as Kevin’s when it’s your time.