I feel genuinely really pleased and happy for Alex that he found the strength to honour Nicky with a speech at the London Palladium and I can imagine how much pride him and Nicky's family found in that happening and her being remembered that night. Genuine fundraising in honour of a loved one is always lovely and meaningful. And it's hard to lay yourself bare that way, I remember from ways I've honoured my late big brother.
I do, however, have 2 observations:
1. Yet again poor Kirsty was left out, no presence at the event. Of course she may have chosen not to go but she posts about these things in a way that makes me think she would want to be there honouring her sister. I've read a lot about other siblings being forgotten when a sibling dies, people asking them "how's your mum?", "is your dad coping?", "how is their spouse?". I didn't experience that as a bereaved sibling as sadly my brother and I had been orphaned as kids. But I can imagine the sting because by God does it hurt to lose a sibling. I can relate in some way as I remember lots of people overlooking me when I was 11 and asking my aunt how she was / how my grandparents were and thinking "what about how I am? She was my mum". Especially as my aunt was such a see you next Tuesday, but that's another story!
I really feel for Kirsty and how overshadowed she must feel.
2. His poem is so full of toxic positivity. Some people simply cannot "burn brighter than the darkness". For years after the trauma, or ever. That's ok. It's not a choice as he seems to have laid it out to be; and retreating, wallowing or wanting privacy is so, so beyond ok in the darkest moments of your life. Not everyone can be a 'light' to strangers. And I'm sorry but I'll never believe Nicky's intentions were to be so; she wanted free
tit to compensate for her tough blow. Fair enough in some ways, if you're transparent about that. I've had a lot of really awful blows but wouldn't tell the world to try and be 'inspirational' for a free Wild deodorant and a trip to Disney. To each their own, don't shame others who don't feel they are "burning brighter"...