| Location | Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland |
| Age | 16 years |
| Cause of Death | Drowning |
| Date of Birth | 03/06/1980 |
| Date of Death | 17/08/1996 |
| Visitors | 5,334 since 07/06/2006 |
| Creator | |
| Helpers |
Matthew was sixteen years old, when he drowned in Magheramorne Quarry, near Larne, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, while out swimming with friends. It was the 17th August 1996, and he was celebrating passing his G.C.S.E.s. He had planned to go to catering college,in September 1996, as he had always wanted to be a chef,from he was very young.He was our eldest son. We have two other children, Timothy,now 28, who was thirteen at the time, and Stephen, who was almost five years old, and is now 20,
Matthew drowned at a local beauty spot, a dis-used quarry on the Antrim Coast. I had driven him there, with five of his friends, at lunch time. The arrangement had been to collect them at a quarter to five, that afternoon. When I arrived I found that the police had cordoned off the area. All I could find out was that a young lad been hurt. I was asked to wait for further information. For the next twenty minutes or so, “I watched and cried and waited". It was only when I spotted one of Matthew’s friends, in a police-car, and plucked up the courage to approach him, and ask, that I found out the full horror of what had happened. . . "My yells of disbelief,Echo round the Quarry yet". . .
Despite the fact that the Quarry had taken our son, I found, and still find, it a place of beauty, and peace. I feel particularly close to Matthew when I go there. This poem,called The Quarry, was written following my first visit to the Quarry, by myself, after Matthew died.
There is a picture of the Quarry, with an inset of Matthew, in the Photo Gallery.
The Quarry
The reflections in the water;
The stillness in the air;
The towering cliffs around me;
The peace that I feel there;
The echo in the distance
Of a train that’s going by;
The sound of flapping wings
From a duck that’s taken flight.
The loud protest of hawks
In their nesting place on high;
The squabbling of birds,
As they circle in the sky;
The changing shapes of clouds,
With the sunlight peeping through;
The breezes on the lake,
Bring back memories of you.
There is laughter in the silence,
As I think about that day,
When death pounced on your life,
And God took you away.
I am trying to imagine
Being with you and your friends,
To experience the joy
Of those hours before the end.
The banter, the excitement,
The squeals of sheer delight,
As each one held their breath
And then jumped from such a height!
The pure exhilaration,
The buzz and all that thrill
You must have felt, each time you leapt
In the water’s icy chill.
And then I hear the panic,
The terror, and the sound
Of total desolation,
At the moment you were drowned.
I recall that awful moment,
When I came to take you home
“A young lad has been hurt “, they said;
“What happened we don’t know".
I watched, and cried, and waited,
And by-standers did implore;
But in the end, I asked your friend,
And found you were no more.
My yells of disbelief
Echo round the quarry yet.
Our lives have changed for ever,
Now you’ve gone, and can’t come back.
Now it’s evening in the Quarry,
And the sunset lights the sky.
I can sense your spirit near me,
And the feeling makes me cry.
But I pray to God in Heaven
At the spot, your body lay;
And I’m sure that you are happy,
Looking down on us today.
By Ursula Gates
18th November 1996.
Thinking of you....
Darling Matthew,you are very much in my thoughts tonight as I prepare for surgery....Stay close sweetheart and watch over me, Thank you for the inspiration that you are and the strength you give me in all of life's struggles. Rest in peace. Love you forever. Mum. xxx
A thought from B
An old Cherokee told his grandson -
'My son, there's a battle between two wolves inside all of us. One is Evil, it's anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies & ego. The other is Good. It's joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy & truth'.
The grandson thought & then asked -
'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied -
'The one feed'.
(((love to you)))
Anniversary Thought... 15 years on...
Remembering our beautiful Matthew on his Anniversary...
Thank you sweetheart, for 16 precious years,and for the inspiration that you are to all of us. Love you, and hold you forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace...Mum x
“To have a child is to be given the world to hold in your hands, and the entire universe to try to fit inside your heart.”...Douglas Pagels.
Shining Star
Shining Star
A star shining so bright
Sent up so far, but yet in our hearts
No longer so far
But here in my heart.
Rest in Peace,
Julia
Matthew. . . My source of hope and inspirational
Matthew,in spite of the sadness of losing you I am privileged beyond measure,to be your Mum. You were with us for 16 short years,but your legacy lives on. Thank you for the inspiration that you are, and the support that you give me....In spite of all the pain there is hope,and my life is the richer for knowing you. I feel truely blessed and am the luckiest Mum in the world. Love you forever, Mum x
Birthday Memories of Our Beautiful Matthew...
Birthday Memories of our beautiful Matthew,a precious and much loved son and brother, who lives forever in our hearts. Happy Birthday in Heaven, Sweetheart. Thank you for the inspiration that you are,and for all your love and support. Rest in Peace.Love you always. Mum x
Your Cousin Donna's Wedding.......
Darling Matthew you are always in our thoughts,but more so than ever over the past week end. Donna's wedding was beautiful. There were many special and emotional moments...but the mention of your name within the prayers touched us deeply.You are clearly much thought of and remembered and that is so comforting to know. Thank you darling,for the inspiration and comfort that you bring me in all of lifes trials. Rest in Peace. Love you so much. Mum x
Anniversary Thoughts
Darling Matthew, Holding you close in thoughts and memories on your Anniversary. Thank you for 16 wonderful years and for the gift you are,and always will be in our lives.I praise God for the the certainty of seeing you again. Love you forever. Rest in peace.Mum x
A Chinese Proverb
To Matthew's Family: You are in my prayers. August 17th one day in a year but there have been 14 August 17th - so hard for you all but in a way we are the lucky ones we have memories, memories we can share with each other and we know we are richer in spirit for having the children that are now safe with God. We have had the love of the child we lost and can be proud to call them ours. Your pain will never leave you but you honour Matthew with such love on every August 17th that he must be filled with blessings to have such a loving caring family.
I love this: You cannot prevent the bird of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent it from nesting in your hair.
A hug from me to you Ursula and love to your family from ours. B
Happy Birthday In Heaven - by Winnie Lovett
"Happy Birthday Matthew"
It's sure to be the best one yet,
Though you left us here behind.
Did you think that we'd forget?
Your cake this year, will surely be,
A beauty to behold.
With the icing made of Silver,
And the candles made of Gold.
Yes, your birthday in Heaven,
Will be such a grand affair.
And I know you'll look so lovely,
With a halo in your hair.
The Angels will come from everywhere,
To sing your birthday song.
And I know they'll be so happy,
That you've joined, God's Happy Throng.
No I can't send a card this year,
Or give a gift so fine.
So I'll just send a special prayer,
To that wonderful Son of yours.
Copyright of Winnie Lovett
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