I was far more saddened than I expected when I heard the news that John Peel had passed away yesterday. I actually read about it on the BBC news site, rather than seeing it on the TV news. It took me by surprise that someone so full of life could be so suddenly taken away. He is one of the few people who I believe loved music more than I ever could.
Still, a great way to go, whilst in good health and doing what he loved. No long illness, no gradual loss of faculty, just a clean and sudden break. I should be happy for both him and his family that, given that this had to happen, it happened in the way it did.
Instead of feeling this most worthy of emotions, my shock quickly turned to anger, as I turned on News 24 for the 1am bulletin. There was no coverage at all of John Peel's death. In those few short hours, his death had become both newsworthy - and then old news. I was angered because such a life had, ultimately, caused barely a ripple over the national consciousness.
I always feel this way when someone precious passes away. It's like the funeral can never be either long enough or grand enough to bestow honour in the right amount. We move on far too quickly. Life puts away it's thoughts of mortality so hurriedly and embraces the here and now with an eagerness which leaves me feeling uncomfortable.
It's not that I want to be morbid by always thinking about dead people, I just want to remember those who are no longer here, and not let their memory pass just because it makes me feel uncomfortable.
So goodbye John - I'm sorry you're not with us anymore, but I will think of you often in the days to come.
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