A true friend and amazing force in this world, Jimmy Royle, passed away on Monday after a lengthy battle with cancer.
It feels as though there has been a great loss in the world, like the life force that I am made of has changed in some resonant way. I have known Jim, not as well as I would have liked, for most of my life but only in the last few years did I really get to experience his amazing energy and much of it I credit to Newfoundland.
This is a place in the world that makes me long for change in my world. Having family and friends there I yearn to feel more a part of it because of the qualities it seems to bestow on its inhabitants. Jim was a true blue Newfoundlander and whenever I think of the energy I want to possess, and the man I want to be remembered as, I will think of Jim, my roots in Newfoundland and know that this island is an even more powerful place with his energy deeply married to it.
I want to thank all of Jim's family, friends and neighbours for being a part of him and for carrying on his energy so that every time I get down home he will not be too far.
Kitchen parties need to become a part of our culture, my culture. Soccer, some kind of active play and music need to become a part of this culture, people and energies like JR's need to become a focal part of this culture.
Thank you for making me want to make this a better place to live for us all Jim. Thanks for the spot to crash. Thanks for everything.
Thanks Jim.