Magaret Mizen, Justin Butcher
Lion Books, UK, 2013
ISBN-10: 0745955797
ISBN-13: 978-0745955797
216 pages
RRP: £8.99
What do you say to the father of a murdered teenage son who was guilty
of nothing more sinister than wanting to celebrate his 16th Birthday
by buying his first lottery ticket? It is one thing to hear, see and admire
someone from a distance through the media. It is an entirely different matter to
meet that person face-to-face. Barry and Margaret Mizen touched countless
hearts when, hours after the needless death of their 16 year-old son Jimmy,
they did what most of us could not do and spoke words of compassion for the
parents of the murderer. Time and again, the abiding image was of a
broken-hearted family who, instead of being justifiably angry and vengeful,
found the strength to forgive their son’s killer and to create an organisation
which might preserve other youngsters from becoming victims or perpetrators of
violence.
When, at the Flame Congress in
the Wembley Arena, I had listened to Barry and his wife Margaret address 10,000
young people, I found tears in my eyes as they spoke and remember thinking,
“They are just speaking as an ordinary Mum and Dad talking to their family. If
anybody needs proof of God’s existence, all they need to do is to listen to the
Mizen family.” Having the privilege of meeting Barry a couple of weeks later, I
encountered an ‘ordinary’ father who, through his son’s death, has coped in an
extraordinary manner and, with his wife and family, given hope to thousands.
Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace is an unforgettable book. It is deeply
moving and many readers might be glad of a handkerchief as they follow the
unfolding account of three minutes which forever changed the lives of the Mizen
family. The book’s ability to touch the heart is not because it was written in
order to generate tears. Far from it!
Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace was not written to sensationalize
something that became headline news in the media from the moment of Jimmy’s
death on Saturday 10 May 2008. It is a firsthand account from his parents and
family members and as a result has the unmistakable stamp of truth, reality,
horror and the struggle to come to terms with tragedy. In writing this book,
timed to coincide with Jimmy’s fifth anniversary, there was no need to
exaggerate and therefore every page proclaims “This is how it was and is”.
Much of the book is in Margaret
Mizen’s own words, italicised to distinguish them from the rest of the text,
co-authored by playwright Justin Butcher. With courageous honesty, she tells
the tale of a family for whom life was not easy but, through their deep love
for each other and supported by their deep faith in God, Margaret and Barry
managed to face each event as it came. Her language is simple, unadorned and
utterly genuine.
Justin Butcher, with his tried
and tested skill in the theatre has done better than his best with Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace. He catches
scenes with economy of words so that there is a constant immediacy and flow of
events which are dramatic without him needing to create additional drama. As a
result, he and Margaret have produced something which is not only the ‘legacy
of peace’ proclaimed in the title, but is also a legacy of love.
Perhaps surprisingly considering
the theme of the book is that of the murder of an innocent teenager, an
unmistakable strand, from start to finish, is one of gratitude and appreciation
of others. Not only do the Mizens value every gesture made in their direction,
incorporating a number of tributes and actions in the text, but others seem to
find themselves humbled and enriched by the simplicity and goodness of a
grieving family who daily rise above their own pain in an effort to soothe the
pain of others.
Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace tells the story of Jimmy’s murder, of the
trial, the effect on the family and their collective decision not to be
destroyed by the tragedy which came upon them so unexpectedly. Invitations to
speak in schools became the inspiration to set up the Jimmy Mizen Foundation,
to buy the Jimmybuses for use by community groups and to set up the Café of
Hope which both funds the Foundation and offers a safe haven to anxious
youngsters. Apprenticeships and many other initiatives soon followed.
It is not surprising that, as
Margaret Mizen unfolds her tale, another grieving mother, Kate McCann, adds her
own tribute, saying “Learning about Margaret and her family, including of
course, Jimmy, has solidified my view that the world is made up of far more
good people than bad.” Kate is, of course, speaking from her own experience as
almost one year to the day before Jimmy’s death, she and her husband Gerry lost
their little daughter Madeleine, for whom they are still searching. Yet,
throughout Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace,
one senses that the Mizens met an extraordinary number of good people. Is this
because their own honesty, faith and genuine care for others have brought out
the best in those they met?
A hallmark of Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace is that whilst
unfolding the events of a tragedy, it also reveals a wonderful story of hope
and sunshine. It is not a book of darkness. It is, rather, a tale of courage
and deep faith in God’s supporting presence in the midst of a deeper sorrow
than the Mizens could have ever imagined would be theirs. Although there are
many moments which cause eyes to sting and a lump in the throat, this is a book
which can help others to continue their own struggle against otherwise
overwhelming pain. It is a book of forgiveness and compassionate understanding
even in the midst of tears.
Perhaps the best summary of the
Mizen family is in Margaret’s own words at the end of Jimmy: a Legacy of Peace, where she writes in her own hand, “I want
you to take hope and encouragement from all that we do. Please don’t feel sorry
for us but take strength and determination to work for change. It starts with
each one of us. Let’s work together to bring Peace in memory of our fine young
people who have lost their lives to violent crime.”
At the end of this book, I am
left marvelling at the way in which God can bring goodness out of evil.
Certainly, without the tragic death of Jimmy Mizen and the incredible courage
and forgiveness of his family, our lives would have been the poorer. They have
enriched us beyond measure. Thank God!
