Yesterday came the devastating, sadly anticipated, death of Ciaran Carson just 3 days short of his 71st birthday. Not quite three years ago he was one of the coffin bearers at the interment of my late uncle, John Montague. There was a comfort in it, a marking of continuance. Now he has followed him into that darkness, far too soon. My life has been immeasurably enriched by knowing him. What I learned from him, and will continue to learn from him, will surely sustain me in the days ahead. But the world feels a smaller, drabber place without him.