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Mattress Mick shared the most heartbreaking story on the Humans of Dublin Facebook page

“She’ll always be in that very special place in my heart.”

HUMANS OF DUBLIN is the seriously popular Facebook page created by photographer Peter Varga that showcases the stories of people from the capital.

And last night, a familiar face popped up: Mattress Mick.

Normally known for his quirky sales pitches, Mick showed us a different side of his life with a truly poignant story, that’s since gone viral.

mattressmick Humans of Dublin Humans of Dublin

His touching story begins:

When I was in my late teens I met a girl, and she became very, very special to me. She was my first love. We were together for quite a while, but I guess we were just too young… We met too early. She wanted to do other things, so she decided to go different ways.
We kept in touch on and off for a long time, but after that, I hadn’t seen her for years. I knew she got married, I knew she had children. Some of her friends kept in touch with me, so I always knew what was going on. She was always very special to me, and never really left my thoughts.

humansof Humans of Dublin Humans of Dublin

It’s at that point that things took a turn for the worse:

A few years later somebody told me she developed cancer. I actually met her about two years before she died. Her friends organised a reunion but I didn’t think it’d be the last time I saw her.
One Sunday afternoon, out of the blue, a friend of hers called me and said, ‘Hi Michael, I have someone here that wants to talk to you.’ She said, ‘Hi, it’s me, Kathy. I just would like to say goodbye. I know I’m going to die soon, and I wanted to let you know you were very special in my life too.’

And he finished his story with a lovely message:

Every time I think about that phone call I get very sad. It was the nicest phone call I have ever received in my whole life. It meant so much to me. That someone who knew they were terminally ill and hadn’t a lot of time could actually think about me, and tell me that… I guess it is true, it’s never too late to tell somebody how you feel. She died that week, but she’ll always be in that very special place in my heart.

Mick’s story has struck a chord with so many fans of the page, with over 6000 likes on the photo overnight.

Heartbreaking.

You can like the Humans of Dublin Facebook page here. Peter is currently planning to create a book from the project and is looking for designers and publishers to get involved. 

More 8 ‘Humans of Dublin’ stories that will melt your heart>

More Irish women are sharing their messiest, most honest period stories>

Written by David Elkin and posted on DailyEdge.ie

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14 Comments
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 11:49 AM

    “Be kind to strangers, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about”

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    Mute Nigel Tuffnel
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 11:53 AM

    Very true Phil.

    81
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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 11:00 AM

    He’s a good man old Mick, he’s been looking after the downtrodden northsiders for years.

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    Mute Nigel Tuffnel
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 11:21 AM

    It goes to show everyone has a story. The humans of Dublin is very interesting, the people you walk past daily have lived through some extraordinary things. As for Mick he seems like a genuine bloke.

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    Mute Niall Sheridan
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 11:41 AM

    How sad. I miss someone too. I am also officiating at a weding this month of a couple with six children, the groom is dying from cancer.

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    Mute Gary Showbiz
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 11:34 AM

    I found the little inserted paragraph headlines really facilitated my comprehension of the story.
    Great job Journal

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    Mute Frank Daly
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 3:38 PM

    I’m in the furniture supply business and for many years supplied Michael (now known as Mattress Mick). He was always a gentle man with a great turn of phrase n a never failed to pay.. Well done Mick.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 12:05 PM

    jaysus Mick, ive a tear in my eye. that was touching thing to read

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    Mute Elizabeth Davenport
    Favourite Elizabeth Davenport
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:22 PM

    Apologies, for I, too, have digressed from Mick’s story.

    Very poignant and tear inducing.

    He’ll treasure Kathy’s generous gesture and meaningful words for the rest of his life.

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    Mute Al-Right
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 2:19 PM

    Christ on a stick!

    I read this lovely story about good old Mattress Mick, only to read some brainless comments from a Belfast clown!

    Journal moderators, please delete these useless comments ruining a lovely report…

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    Mute Old Gordon
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 2:33 PM

    Mattress Mick is an institution.

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    Mute Al-Right
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    Feb 3rd 2016, 11:43 AM

    I do see Mattress Mick down in the coffee shop on the Malahide road, must buy him a coffee next time I see him..

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