THE month of January can be a difficult time for people, and it can also be one for turning over a new leaf. It is certainly a time to reach out to family, friends and colleagues, and to mend fences.

On a personal note, I spent some of my winter break updating my diary, address book and a recently acquired date keeper. Throughout my life I have attached great importance to remembering birthdays, milestones and anniversaries, and in the latter category both happy and sad times.

I am less reliant on being able to remember some dates, particularly birthdays, but I strive to do so and make contact with whoever is celebrating the occasion. Yes, people will say that they would prefer to forget them as time goes by, but at heart they are chuffed when they are acknowledged.

Remembering the anniversary of someone’s death often causes anxiety for people – should they say something, or just let it pass?

The latter is often chosen as the option, but I wouldn’t agree with that recourse. To the loved ones left behind, an acknowledgment of the life of their deceased partner, family member or close friend is a comfort.

As I filled in my date keeper, I realised that 2023 marks a number of milestone anniversaries of the deaths of friends. This coming week, I was shocked to realise, it will be a decade since the passing of a young man who was universally loved by people in the industry, Mick Buckley.

The reaction to his death sent shockwaves through the business, and I recall the queues of people at Kildangan House, wishing to sympathise with his family. As great as the loss was felt by his friends and colleagues, it was as nothing to the grief suffered by his immediate family.

Working closely

I had the pleasure of first knowing Michael (as he was then) when he was a member of Naas Tennis Club, then working closely with him in Goffs, and later enjoying his rise within the bloodstock industry. Meeting him was always a joy.

More than anything about his funeral, I recall his wife Caitriona and sons James, Andrew and Robbie leaving the church to the music of The Killers’ hit song Human. It is the first song on my Spotify playlist, and it contains the words “you’ve gotta let me go”.

What we don’t have to let go of are great memories of great people, and perhaps this week you would remember Mick, a fallen hero, and indeed anyone else you recall with fondness. Reach out also to their nearest and dearest.