My dad sent me an
email about a month ago. He told me he
found Brian’s original Best Man’s toast for our wedding. It was in Brian’s horrible “chicken scratch”
handwriting. There were numerous cross
outs, questionable grammar, arrows and - of course - it was nothing like the speech he actually
gave!
The last sentence of
my dad’s email was “I am certain it will be of value to you.” It is.
At that time, I was thinking about Brian and thought how I would really
like to get a sign from him. I guess I
did!
Brian’s remarks are
a wonderful gift. I can hear him saying
these words in his inflection. I can
hear his laugh, his voice and see his smile while giving this speech in front
of the crowd. I can picture Brian being
Brian.
Man, do I miss him.
It was six years ago
today when we lost him. I hate this
date. Most of all, I can’t stand the
missed opportunities, conversations and events that should have
occurred but never will. The pain is not
as sharp – but it is still there. Like
my bum ankle that I always have to deal with, it never leaves me.
I know we never get
a choice about death and a loved one.
You can’t bargain with God and say “make it quick” or ask for “more time.” It happens and worst of all
– you have no
control. But, you still have the
love. I think that amount of pain
someone has is directly proportional to the amount of love someone felt. Brian’s death caused so much pain (and still
does) because I, and many others, loved him fiercely and miss him
terribly. Given a chance to bargain with
God – and knowing the pain I would have to bear – I would easily say: “God,
give me Brian for only 33 years.”
However, I know that
Brian (as stated below) wishes us all the best.
He would not want us to become “professional mourners” and be thankful
for all of our blessings. I try my
best. I also am grateful Brian was
my only brother.
Enjoy the written
speech below. Then, be amazed at the video,
which shows the “finished product.” Only
Brian could prepare, forget the speech, wing it and still land on his
feet!
Love you Brian.
Matthew D.
McCormick
Everyone here in this room has a knowledge of
Matt. He is a son to Dick and
Diane. A nephew to Joyce, Mark and
Bill. An employee of Chauncey. The
husband of Sooz. The teammates of XURFC,
patron of The Woods, an alumni of XU and friend to all.
But, I am his only brother.
Everyone of these people have stories and knowledge of
Matt and how he has told them. If you
can, get a hold of him for a minute and ask about the time we decided to play
baseball with a basketball or when he decided to get his ear pierced in Costa
Rica or simply ask him about the story in the elevator in King Cole – Then you
will see a couple of things – a great sense of humor and that us Irish folk are
sometimes not that smart.
My brother has been more of an influence to me than
any other person excluding Ma and Pops.
Part of me feels that he is greatly responsible for my choice to go to
XU – to play Rugby – to be in business and to get the first punch!
He has shown me a great many things. But, the most important thing is how it looks
for someone to be in love.
I met Sooz a long time ago and I liked her
immediately. I knew she would be a
McCormick after I offended her and she came back to the house again (ask her
about Lenny). Well, I resisted Sooz for
a couple of months because I saw just how captured he was with her. I did not realize the reason he didn’t want
to play video games with me is because of something called love. I didn’t understand. But, a couple of years ago I realized that
soon I was telling stories about Sooz – and without my knowledge I started to
accept her and love her like a family member should.
I see them as one now – as you do – one perfect couple
that withstood a lot of things to make it to this day. I never thought of them not getting married. I know, don’t even think what would happen if
they didn’t get to this point because to me it was as always destined to be
there and be like this.
What I am truly trying to say – and its hard – because
us Mick boys here hate being schmaltzy is I love you all – and I wish the best
in the world to my best friend and big brother and to his beautiful wife – God
Bless you all!
Slainte!
