Honored

Through all of this one of my main goals is to get Martin's story out there.  There are a few things that fuel my desire to do so.  1.  He was only 44 years old. 2.  He was a healthcare worker who worked on the frontlines at the beginning of this pandemic.  3.  For Elsie and Graeme 4. He fought a brave battle with COVID  5.  He was amazing in so many ways and deserves to have his story told. 6. He is part of history.  

I was quite honored that this past Monday, Governor Murphy chose Martin as one of the people he was going to highlight at his press conference.  Yes, he has honered many, but that doesn't change how special it was to me and everyone who loved and misses Martin.  To watch him talk about Martin and let others get a glimpse of the amazing person who lost his life to COVID way too soon gave me joy.  I was particularly touched because Governor Murphy added something at the end of his tribute to Martin that was not read to me earlier that morning before his press conference.  Governor Murphy went out of his way to learn about a passion of Martin's (Liverpool FC) and share that love with others.  I was touched by this gesture, more than words can express.  Liverpool was so important to Martin, and he was so excited to share his love of Liverpool FC with Elsie and Graeme.  Governor Murphy mentioned how Martin got to see his beloved football club win the Champions League last year but died before he got to see them win the Premier League.  Martin knew that they were going to, it was just a matter of when, but even though he knew, he didn't get to see it. 

Last night Liverpool was presented with the Premier League trophy.  Of course, I watched the ceremony, but I also made sure Elsie and Graeme did(Martin would have made sure they did).  Yes,  Graeme had no idea what was going on, but I feel Elsie did have some idea.  As we watched each player receive their medal, Elsie anxiously awaited for Hendo(the Captain of the team, Martin's current favorite player, and the name of Elsie's Liverpool Bear) to take the stage.  She waited by the TV and  when he finally got his medal she ran to her chair sat down and waited for him to lift that trophy.  Martin had waited 30 years for this moment, and not even knowing(maybe she did somehow) she honored her Papa by cheering "hip, hip hooray!" several times.   The best part was seeing how excited Elsie was about Hendo lifting that trophy and how she wanted to see that moment several times(just like her Papa would have done).   She even asked to watch Hendo and the trophy today and watched it many times.   She is her Papa's daughter, and she made sure Liverpool was celebrated in this household like it was meant to be.  Both Governor Murphy's tribute and Liverpool's Trophy ceremony concluded with those famous words "You'll Never Walk Alone."  Martin is with us in everything we do, because he lives in our hearts and I know we truly will never walk alone.  

Martin was also honored at work this week.  As I have said before, I knew Martin was great at what he did just based on his stories and the passionate way in which he shared those stories.  No I am even more aware of how amazing he was at his job, but also now know the huge impact he had on his mentees, patients, and colleagues.  Everyone who contacts me shares with me stories about what a compassionate and knowledgeable speech pathologist he was.  He will forever be missed.  This week Martin's team was presented with a beautiful plaque that will be hung to honor Martin's legacy at St. Joe's.  Just another beautiful and well deserved honor for our healthcare and forever hero.

I will continue to share our story, because it is so important.  One day Elsie and Graeme will look back at this time in their lives, and see all the wonderful things that were said and done for their Papa to celebrate his amazing life, a life that was taken way too soon.