A Moment of Reflection

Well here we are again, Christmas has snuck upon us once more. Gee, where did the year go and why so quickly?

This has been a year of ups and downs for me on a personal level. Being diagnosed with lymphoma back in June/ July of this year was the downer.  After six rounds of chemo, multiple CT and PET scans and countless blood tests which had me thinking I was a voodoo doll there for a while, I have been told I'm in remission - this was the plus.

Another plus was the support I got from those very close to me; my wife, Zelma, my daughter Lorraine and her three beautiful children and last but not least; my very good friends, Mark and Lorraine and their sons, Steve, Nathan and John.

While all of this was happening, I continued with my studies and scored very good marks and was, for my perseverence, rewarded  with a Diploma which I receive in the new year. Not being one to quit... I'm going back to get my Advanced Diploma (and hopefully will taste the joys of publication).

Every day we think `Why me; what did I do wrong to deserve this?' when things go wrong but let's remember there is always somebody doing it tougher than us, someone stronger than us; all those brave young souls in the children's wards and hospitals throughout this country of ours. This includes the kids in the Ronald McDonald Houses and others like it.

Getting away from all of that; can you remember your favourite Christmas? I can...the Christmas of 1971 when my parents gave me Teaser and The Firecat. In fact,  I'm listening to it now which prompted me to write this. I also listen to all of the other Cat Stevens albums of that era before he retired from music to persue other personal goals. I must admit; I'm so glad he came back and still with the same touch. it was also in '71/2 that I began my writing career as a poet and, for me Cat Stevens was the inspiration I drew from back in those heady days as a teenager in high school.

Well guys, this is my last post for the year and in the new year there'll be more regular posts, and yes, this is one my resolutions for 2015.

On behalf of my lovely wife and myself; Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year and don't do anything I wouldn't do.

Here I Go Again

Down Memory Lane.

Sitting here tonight and listening to a couple of music discs given to me the other day and my God, what a blast from the past. Well I have to say, without fear of contradiction, Memory Lane and I relived the memories of our long standing friendship.

Axiom, Bee Gees, Air Supply, Bobby Goldsborough, Bonnie Tyler, Bob Carlisle, the list goes on and on... and on. 

Writing was on the agenda until the memories these songs slapped me out of the present and back...way back to my teenage years and a little older than that (early twentys and thirtys). Tapping on my desk was an uncontrolable reaction to the beats. I even found myself singing along softly as the lyrics that were all too familiar (again) came to the front of the old memory bank as though I had heard them only the other day. Sadly, this is not the case though. 

One  thing I know for sure; I don't have any memory deficiencies when it comes to my much loved music even though my daughter and wife joke with me about having lost my memory.

Isn't it funny how, when we hear the songs that we grew up with automatically rekindle mainly happy memories of what we were doing when we first heard a particular song... one of the 'Golden Oldies'?

Coincidentally; I still have approximately sixty more walks down Memory Lane because, that is how many more discs I have to go through yet thanks to an unexpected source.... my boss at Munno Para Salvos Store, Debbie Hill, with the promise of many more to come my way.

Thanks Deb