Thursday 9 August 2012

Rambling.

A friend asked me recently about growing up on the Island.
'Did you have a happy childhood? Did it bother you growing up where you did?'
I never really thought about whether my growing up where I did, or whether I was happy or not as a child influenced the man I am today.
It was a rough place most of the time, but looking back, it never struck me that any place else was different to where I was.
It may have been bleak in Limerick in the 1960's, but I was a child and knew no better. I'm sure I was happy most of the time.
The same friend asked me if I was proud that I was from the Island.
He may as well have been asking me if I was proud to be bald, or blue-eyed, or tall.
I had no choice in any of these matters, I was born into circumstances I had no control over. Born to live the start of my life where my parents lived.
I inherited male pattern baldness, and blue eyes, from my parents.
And the fondness for music.
And morals, and right from wrong.
And love.

Forgive me for my rambling, sometimes I just tap out what comes into me head!

I met an old friend today in the supermarket. Her husband, a fellow musician, who taught me a lot, died a few months back. She still can't believe he's gone. But she struggles on, and looks forward to each new day, 'cos she says that her husband loved each extra day he got. She lives each and every day not only for herself but for him too.

We've had another young man take his life in our community this past few days. It breaks my heart to see young people in so much pain that they give up on life. But I see so many of our young folk who struggle with this world and yet take on the challenge with vigour that it brightens the face of this old fella! We need to watch and care for our teenagers and young adults.

:¬)

9 comments:

  1. I once bemoaned the fact that all the "grownups" of my childhood had evaporated...the kind of adult you looked up to because they were a fine example of what humans can do.

    Then one day it hit me, that WE are suppose to be that fine group. So I stopped LOOKING for them and started trying to BE one of them.

    Oh, I'm still looking. And trying. But having friends like you give me, well....hope.

    You're a good man and I'm proud to know you...hair is optional. ;)

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  2. what sister hope said, bubba! y'all are one of the best people in blogville, sugar! xoxoxoxoxo

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  3. I have a young Limerick fella standing behind a mixer for me for over a year now, he hails fae Moyross and St Mary's Park. He remembers taking his ma to a wedding sometime back where they had a little fella doing the singing and getting the auld wans up on their feet. He was from the Island field and could belt out a fine version of Athenry, but was a bit tight when it came to buying the groom a pint.

    "A real live wire with the dancing so" was how he described your man on the stage. "Not bad with the ladies for such a short baldy fella at all" "Dropped a tray full of whisky on the way back to the stage"

    Too much of a coincidence I'm thinking.

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  4. It seems to me that our society is losing it's way, the fine old ways are gone and forgotten, the young parents of today are bloody hopeless and their next generation are a joke.
    Mate, we're all Fuc*ed!

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  5. hope; And I'm very blesed to know you my friend! :¬)
    xxx

    sav; And you missus! :¬)

    xoxoxox

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  6. Seamus; Firstly, welcome back pal!
    Now, this young chap seems to witnessed the enigma that is meself with his own two eyes! That's what happens see, folk see me and then move to Glesga!

    As for droppin' trays of 'gold', I've finally figured out what was cursing me! I just drink the feckin' lot at the bar now! Sorry pal, your round.

    Pint? :¬)

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  7. Tempo; I still have faith in the young folk pal, I see a lot of good ones and do my best to encourage them. Things can only get better! (Now I'm off singing again, see what you've done?) :¬)

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  8. Seems the world is a busy place and that many adults forget about the kids these days... i have a nephew who seems to get bounced around and a bit forgotten by his own parents, told him to move my way and i'd help him out and be a bit of spirtual guide if he wanted (poor boy, god only knows what i'd teach him) but one does what he can to help... with my own i often remind myself they're only this age once, pay attention as much as you can, the whole cats and the cradle rigamorole, a raised black pint to you sir.

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