The line of course comes from To An Athelete Dying Young.  I offer it today in reflection of a local hero in NI who passed away at the young age of 48 leaving a wife and family.  Alan McDonald played football for NI and is remembered for the 1986 World Cup.  By all accounts a character who once offered to discuss (with his fists)  the allegation that there was a “fix” in when NI drew with England with anyone who supported that allegation.  I don’t pretend to be a follower of his career or have even a passing knowledge of his personality, but he appears to have given life all tha the could during his time here and that is something we should strive to do ourselves.  I am sure the shock and grief for his family is raw and physical and my condolences go out to them at this time. 

Dying, as it has been said, is something the least of us will accomplish.  Living of course, that is the part where we can make a difference ourselves.  McDonald seems to have gotten the living part right, and I hope that will in the course of time bring some comfort to those who knew him.