These pictures look quite dated now,
Like all those old films that we see.
That’s you, returning on the bus,
And, picking up the kids, it’s me.
Back in the glory days of peace,
We lived together hand in glove.
Our future seemed mapped out in stone,
The present sparkled with our love.
Now that seems like another world;
Your letters from afar arrive,
While friends, by means of sleight of hand,
Pretend that I am still alive.
Each picture tells a story and a memory returns. I have spasms of looking at old albums but close the book with few feelings of nostalgia and no remorse, save knowing that it is all behind me where it belongs. The march is forward.
Thank you for this
Keith
An interesting and inspiring tale, Uilleam. We should all try to do what we can.
An my thanks to Nigel and Graham for liking.
When aged about 6 we moved house to a different part of town in the early 50's, because our home had been condemned as a "slum".
I think our new neighbour was a Hungarian lady; the first time I had met a "foreigner"; someone who didn't have an Irish or Lancastrian accent.
Then aged nine or ten, I remember our Roman Catholic "witness" walks through town; the Polish and Ukranian contingents in their beautiful national costumes. "WW2's over, now we can get on with life", was the feeling.
But no; decades later, I found myself helping Iraqi refugees and a Chinese speaking lady with English lessons; my only "qualifications"? being a native English speaker.
How very fortunate I am, in what I have, compared to some.
Thank you to all who do what they can to help out.💐💐💐
What counts is making the effort, John. I help to give English lessons to Ukrainians here and although we make progress and get on well, I am always struck by the sadness of their situation. So well done for reaching out.
And thanks to Manish, Hugh and Steve for liking.
I tried my best Ukrainian on a waitress at the restaurant we visited tonight. She didn't understand a word I said!
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Stephen Gospage
Sat 8th Apr 2023 09:03
Many thanks, Keith.