The pain and grief that come with the loss of a child are unimaginable, and for the parents of Finbar Sullivan, one of the young victims of the Southport massacre, the aftermath of their son’s tragic death was almost too much to bear. In the days and weeks following Finbar’s untimely death, his parents were engulfed by an all-consuming sense of despair, struggling to find a reason to keep going. They were left to confront a harsh, overwhelming reality — the life of their beloved son had been violently stolen from them, and the future they had envisioned for him had been shattered in an instant.

In a heartbreaking twist of fate, it was an innocent and heartfelt note from Finbar that stopped them from following through on their darkest thoughts. The note, discovered in a notebook that Finbar had kept in the weeks leading up to his graduation, contained simple yet profoundly moving wishes that revealed the depth of his dreams for the future. This note, left behind by their son, became a lifeline for his grieving parents — a final connection to him that kept them tethered to the world, even as the weight of their sorrow threatened to pull them under.

Sources close to the family have revealed that the notebook, filled with plans and hopes for what Finbar had hoped to achieve in the years ahead, has become a deeply emotional artifact for his parents. Each time they read the words written in their son’s handwriting, they are reminded of the joyful, ambitious young boy who had dreams that were never given the chance to come true. “It was a message from him,” said a family friend. “A reminder of his love, his hopes, and the person he wanted to become. It was the only thing that stopped them from completely losing themselves in their grief.”

The notebook, which had initially been set aside in the chaos following Finbar’s death, was rediscovered by his mother one quiet evening. She had been sifting through Finbar’s belongings, trying to make sense of a world without him, when the notebook caught her eye. As she flipped through its pages, filled with Finbar’s aspirations, his love for his friends, and his gratitude for his family, the rawness of his loss hit her like a wave. But there was also something else — a sense of hope. The words were filled with a young man’s unshakable belief that life would be good, that there were many milestones ahead, and that his future was full of promise.

The most poignant part of the notebook was a note Finbar had written just days before his graduation. In it, he expressed his excitement for what was to come — his eagerness to pursue his dreams, attend university, and one day make a difference in the world. “I’m ready for the next chapter,” he wrote, “I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me.” These words, once read with a sense of joy and optimism, now felt like a cruel reminder of what had been stolen from them. Yet, for Finbar’s parents, they also served as a spark that reignited their will to survive.

Reports indicate that Finbar’s parents were devastated when they first learned of his death. They felt as though their entire world had crumbled beneath them. The loss of their son was so overwhelming that, at one point, both of them were considering ending their lives, unable to cope with the sorrow. “They didn’t see a way forward,” said a close family member. “The grief was too much to bear. They were convinced that they couldn’t live in a world where Finbar wasn’t with them.”

But the discovery of his notebook changed everything. Finbar’s parents began to read through it together, taking solace in the love their son had expressed for them and the future he had envisioned. Each page was a reminder of the vibrant, hopeful young man they had raised — and the tragedy of what could have been. Slowly, they began to find comfort in the thought that Finbar’s spirit lived on in those pages. They had to carry on for him, not just because they loved him, but because he had wanted so much for his life, for his future, and for the world.

One entry that particularly resonated with Finbar’s father was a note where his son had written about the value of family. “I am so grateful for my parents,” Finbar had written. “They’ve always been there for me, and I can’t wait to make them proud.” For Finbar’s parents, these words cut deep — but they also gave them a sense of purpose. They had been his biggest supporters throughout his life, and they could still honor that role by continuing to live and cherish the memories they had with him.

Sources say that while Finbar’s parents are still struggling with their grief, the note has been a source of strength that they never expected. “It’s like he left us a gift,” said one family member. “A way to keep going, even when it seemed impossible.”

The note not only helped them find the strength to move forward, but it has also inspired them to take action in memory of their son. They have started a foundation in Finbar’s name, aimed at helping young people achieve their dreams, just as Finbar had hoped to. They have dedicated their lives to making sure that Finbar’s dreams, however unrealized, live on through the work they do.

As Finbar’s parents continue to grieve, they are determined to keep his memory alive, to honor his life and the potential he had. And though they still feel the sharp sting of their loss every day, they now know that they are not alone. Their son’s final words, written in his notebook, remind them that he is always with them, pushing them to carry on for him and for the future he never had the chance to see.