Drew's Birthday Games Truck

We hadn’t been in the neighbourhood very long when Marc got sick, so I didn’t really get the chance to know him deeply. But in the few moments we shared, like quick chats and passing smiles, he always struck me as someone genuinely lovely. Warm, thoughtful, and above all, a really devoted dad.

There’s one moment that’s stuck with me. It was Drew’s birthday, not long before Marc passed. He had arranged for a games truck to come right to the street. Looking back, it felt like more than just a fun idea. It felt like Marc was giving Drew a memory. Something big and joyful to hold onto.

What really got me was seeing Marc that day. He looked tired. You could tell he was in real pain. But he stayed outside as long as he could, watching Drew in that truck with a look I’ll never forget. So much love, quiet pride, and that deep kind of joy you only see when someone is fully present, even in the hardest moment.

That image has never left me. It’s a reminder that showing up and truly being there is one of the most powerful things we can do for the people we love. Marc did that for Drew. Right to the end, he gave him everything he had.

And that kind of love doesn’t just stay with one person. It stays with all of us.

Nic Rennie