YES! It grieves my heart. he brought me pain, lots of pain, but I love him, my son Samuel! I forgave him for whatever wrong he did as part of growing up.

Dear Friends of Samuel, I want to leave you with these words of advice which I had never been able to vocalise during my son's life on earth. But, I must say it now before I regret not saying it to you.

Friends of Samuel, your parents love you very much, more than you ever know. You may want to be 'Man' but remember, do not let pride destroy you! Mummy and Daddy is waiting to help. Our God, Jesus is waiting to help too. If only you allow them.

My God Jesus loves you!

Auntie Shirley Lean
7th November 2003

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Never did i think that i would be attending the wake of one of my best friends tonight.

As someone dear to me once told me: "He would love for all his friends to gather once more, to bring joy to your lives once again..."

Gather we did.

For so long we had always wanted to meet up. Just the group of us. Like good old times, where we jammed alongside one another, cranking knobs of amps, stomping on distortion pedals and thrashing the studio out. But we never did make the time for each other. The only memory i have left is but that of a cranky demo we had reccorded.

It pains me to see that only when we have lost one have we realised how much it might have meant to him.

Gabe, if you're reading this, don't blame yourself. Each of us is equally to blame if you believe so. The grudges were non existant but the pride too strong. He had long forgotten the issue, i'm really happy and i'm sure he sure was happy that you came today. It really pains me to see him this way, as much as it does you.

Remember what he always told us, "You are all my braddurs.. you very RRuckky, i tell you!"

I will miss him so much. I know now that he will be in a better place.

In loving memory of a brother.
Rome
8th November 2003
0139hrs

then&now