By Nicholas Creely
NOBLE Park is saddened by the passing of ex-player and champion of the club Chris ‘Rabbit’ Heenan, 47, on 23 September, but the club honoured him in the best possible way with a touching tribute and a minute of silence at the club’s presentation night.
Kellie Walden delivered a moving speech to the packed audience, talking about the journey of life and never taking things for granted.
“Life is like one long continuous journey, and from the moment we get on board the train, we know we must depart.
“We stop at many stations along the way, and sit and watch as different people enter our journey.
“Many of these people sit on different carriages and we will never know them.
“Others will sit on the same carriage but keep their distance.
“A small percentage will sit next to us.
“These are the passengers that bring great joy, and show us love, honesty and understanding.
“We will treasure their company and hope they are getting off at the same stop as ourselves.
“For we on the train without them would make our journey miserable.
“Some people leave the train earlier than we would like, and as we pull out of the station they have departed, we can only look at the empty seat next to us.
“We look out the window, remembering the conversations we shared, the love we endured and the thrill of being in each other’s company.
“These memories are what we cling to and hold dear to our hearts.
“At the next stop another person hops on, oblivious to the pain we are feeling.
“We get to know this person and let them sit in their seat, not replacing them, but allowing us to share our memories of the previous passenger.
“We continue our journey; being happier, richer and wiser from the people we have known,” an emotional Walden said.
