Former Donegal GAA star Brendan Devenney has shared a powerful outlook on life, love and loss after losing his father and sister in one day.
Last September, the Devenney family were hit with a shocking double loss when their father, Patrick, died from cancer. The following day, his daughter Margaret died suddenly following an epileptic seizure.
“Suddenly we went from having my dad’s coffin in the house to having two,” Brendan told Thomas Niblock in the BBC’s GAA Social podcast.
Brendan spoke of his admiration for his father, who was his hero, and of his love for his sister, Mags.
“I thought we would grow old together,” Brendan said of his sister during an emotional segment of the interview which delves into his life, both on and off the pitch.
Speaking about Margaret’s huge personality and popularity, Brendan said: “Everybody she touched had the same thing to say, she was bubbly, warm, she was there for you, and she was for me.
“Margaret never judged. One of the things I hate in life is judging people. I was wild but she never judged me. As far as she was concerned, I was her brother and that was it, she knew I had a good heart and that’s something that will always stay with me.
“I still can’t take it on board. I’m not able to deal with the fact that she’s not here.”
On dealing with life’s traumas, Brendan said his outlook is to be grateful.
He said: “Day to day living is where life is, you can’t be overly positive, you’ll burn out. You just want to be on the right side of neutral, Just be content and happy. Look to the small things and every day give gratitude.
“Life will go up and down, but as long as you be thankful for what you have. Try and progress and have the right outlook. You have to think it and work towards it. Doors open all the time, once you have a positive outlook.
“I know that is hard for a lot of people. There have been a lot of tragedies, and recently in Donegal, your heart goes out to so many families.
“By and large, everybody has a chance to progress and you got to do that.
“For me, number one is be a good dad, be a good husband and be a good friend. Everything then falls into place as long as you are content and happy with what you have.”
Listen to the podcast in full here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0fcx2sg
