Ireland - It's where it's at

Before I start, I would like to thank those of you who got in touch regarding my cousin Jamie. Your kind words are all appreciated. By way of an update, he had an operation last week which stablised the break. My understanding is that whilst they can't repair of the nerve damage caused by the break, they can cure the break itself. It's not much, but at least it's something. So thanks again, your thoughts are prayers are very much appreciated by everyone.

Onto slightly more upbeat news, I would just like to say that I have found some further evidence that Ireland really has come a long way and is actually a great place to live. At least, that's what Lonely Planet says.

"The landscape of Northern Ireland is astonishingly beautiful, the people are warm and genuine, and yet it is still relatively undiscovered which makes it the perfect destination."

The guide said the country is "abuzz with life: the cities are pulsating, the economy is thriving and the people, the lifeblood that courses through the country, are in good spirits".

Don't believe me, click here for the BBC summary of the article.

So if you haven't already done so come on over and check out God's country.

Jamie

I haven't written for a while but for once it was actually for a good reason that being that I didn't know how to write what I knew I wanted and needed to write. I don't know if today I am any closer to knowing how to do this but I may as well try.

The picture on the left is that of my cousin Jamie. Jamie is 19 years old and for the last 18 months he has been at Newcastle University in England being sponsored by Price Waterhouse Coopers to take Accountancy.

This past weekend, Jamie was paralyzed playing rugby. Just typing that sentence makes me despair. Basically, Jamie was simply running with the ball when he slipped. From what I understand, he fell in such a way that his back was in an extremely precarious position. To be honest, that is not entirely unusual in rugby. Unfortunately in this case, the guy who was running to tackle him had so much momentum that he was unable to stop when he saw Jamie slip. As a result, he went straight over his neck completely severing Jamie's L1 nerve and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

I last saw Jamie about 2 months ago. He was about to head back to England having spent the summer working and touring in the US. We decided that some golf was an appropriate way to mark the occasion despite the fact that neither of us had played in almost a year. Whilst my swing fell apart, Jamie's was as smooth as always and needless to say he destroyed me on the course leaving me very much red faced.

Prior to that, I had last seen Jamie before he left for the US in Newcastle at the beginning of June. I had went over to write a company law exam and afterwards I met up with Jamie for drinks. Despite my wanting to get into the nearest pub, Jamie was insistent that we walk what seemed like half way across the city to a pub that he assured me I would like. He was not wrong.

I mention both of these stories but they serve to illustrate what a tragedy this is. Jamie was in great health and it is just not right that something like this has hit him whenever the best years of his life are still ahead. People tell me that he will still be able to do a lot and of course this is true. However, that doesn't make this any easier to cope with. Things like this just shouldn't happen to someone like Jamie but I guess what people have always told me is actually true. Life isn't always fair.

I have no idea what purpose I have by writing all of this. I just know that I need to get something down in print. As a rugby player myself, I have always been aware of the dangers of the game but in reality injuries like this are just extremely rare. Still I think to myself how can I ever play this game again but yet I know that I want to and probably will.

I don't want my rant about this to turn into one of self pity. The reality is that the sadness, despair and damn anger that I feel pale into insignificance whenever I consider what Jamie and his immediate family are coping with right now. As such, I will just close with this.

Jamie, I love you and I am just devastated for you. I know that you will come through this and become an even more wonderful person than you already are. But I know that it's not fair and I don't pretend to even have a slight clue as to why you should have to endure this suffering. Please just know that if you need any help enduring it I am only a phone call away.

I know that I can't speak to you directly for quite a while but do know that I want to see you and I definitely will as soon as you are back in the country. Love Tim

The Gospel according to Bono

People often are confused by my idea of what my Christian faith means to me and indeed why I would be a part of it. This is perfectly understandable since Christianity itself has a lot to answer for

In this video, Bono hopefully articulates what it really means to be a Christian and to respect "higher laws". It's 20 mins long but I would encourage everyone to check it out.