I hope this morning finds you well and happy. Three points yesterday will have done no harm! I could have PM'd you this note, but in the spirit of the caring, sharing SMB, I thought I might put this out there for the lads and lasses.
Yesterday was a big Birthday, and to 'celebrate' the missus and I invited over two friends, a couple I have known for 50 years. After eating and drinking too much, and getting outside a good bottle of scotch, we were talking, and I was pontificating about the good things in my life- “counting my blessings” if you will. I was discussing a little book called 'The Prophet' by Kalil Jibran, which holds more power and wisdom than any other printed word in the entire world, and has been by my side for decades. Trying to think of a modern equivalent, your name came to mind.
Myself and many others have described you as an inspiration, and I'd like to tell you why. When really shitty things come into your life; those inescapable, life-changing, God-awful events you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, like anyone else, you have no choice but to resist. Sinking deep into the moral reserves, you need to find the courage and determination to carry on, to work out a coping strategy, and when that plan screws up, to make another.
When I go to my place of resistance, I travel in my mind to a dark chamber. I sometimes visualise my Dad, who was a yacker and a member of the Mine Rescue Service, on call in a desperate situation, summoning up all his physical strength, his practical adaptability and his Goddam straight refusal to be beaten to confront what was in front of him. The last time I was in that dark place, there was a quiet voice telling me about living with pain; about feeling the fear and going ahead anyway; about exploring avenues you didn't know existed; about going to extraordinary lengths to get things done; about drawing strength from your family and friends, and about the importance of walking the dog. It was you my friend. A Master of Resistance.
I was thinking about where this power of resistance comes from, and I have concluded that it is powered by love. In my Dad's case he might have called it comradeship or brotherhood. Those men down there included his own brother and his Dad, as well as a lot of lads he had grown up with, but he would never in a million years have described his motivation for helping them as love. But that was the power behind it. When our family hold us in their arms, and maybe share a tear, their love is real and obvious. You have mentioned how important your daughter is in your fight, and also your ex and a few others. It is the same thing when you meet your marras in the street or down the pub and you share a man-hug (maybe not so much these days!)
We're Northern blokes so we don't talk much about love, but we recognise it and draw strength from it and we give it out too. And the more you do it, the more it grows. Perhaps the purest form of unconditional love you will encounter every day comes from your pooch. When she looks into your eyes and wags her tail she is giving you a little gift. I hope all the responses you get from the SMB carry a little gift of love to you too, because I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when I tell you how much we appreciate the gift you give to us by sharing this part of your life. The gift of your inspiration is more valuable than rubies.
Dawn has come up since I started writing this and I am 'tired and emotional' so I am off to bed. Thank you @foggy lad. Bless you.
Yesterday was a big Birthday, and to 'celebrate' the missus and I invited over two friends, a couple I have known for 50 years. After eating and drinking too much, and getting outside a good bottle of scotch, we were talking, and I was pontificating about the good things in my life- “counting my blessings” if you will. I was discussing a little book called 'The Prophet' by Kalil Jibran, which holds more power and wisdom than any other printed word in the entire world, and has been by my side for decades. Trying to think of a modern equivalent, your name came to mind.
Myself and many others have described you as an inspiration, and I'd like to tell you why. When really shitty things come into your life; those inescapable, life-changing, God-awful events you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, like anyone else, you have no choice but to resist. Sinking deep into the moral reserves, you need to find the courage and determination to carry on, to work out a coping strategy, and when that plan screws up, to make another.
When I go to my place of resistance, I travel in my mind to a dark chamber. I sometimes visualise my Dad, who was a yacker and a member of the Mine Rescue Service, on call in a desperate situation, summoning up all his physical strength, his practical adaptability and his Goddam straight refusal to be beaten to confront what was in front of him. The last time I was in that dark place, there was a quiet voice telling me about living with pain; about feeling the fear and going ahead anyway; about exploring avenues you didn't know existed; about going to extraordinary lengths to get things done; about drawing strength from your family and friends, and about the importance of walking the dog. It was you my friend. A Master of Resistance.
I was thinking about where this power of resistance comes from, and I have concluded that it is powered by love. In my Dad's case he might have called it comradeship or brotherhood. Those men down there included his own brother and his Dad, as well as a lot of lads he had grown up with, but he would never in a million years have described his motivation for helping them as love. But that was the power behind it. When our family hold us in their arms, and maybe share a tear, their love is real and obvious. You have mentioned how important your daughter is in your fight, and also your ex and a few others. It is the same thing when you meet your marras in the street or down the pub and you share a man-hug (maybe not so much these days!)
We're Northern blokes so we don't talk much about love, but we recognise it and draw strength from it and we give it out too. And the more you do it, the more it grows. Perhaps the purest form of unconditional love you will encounter every day comes from your pooch. When she looks into your eyes and wags her tail she is giving you a little gift. I hope all the responses you get from the SMB carry a little gift of love to you too, because I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when I tell you how much we appreciate the gift you give to us by sharing this part of your life. The gift of your inspiration is more valuable than rubies.
Dawn has come up since I started writing this and I am 'tired and emotional' so I am off to bed. Thank you @foggy lad. Bless you.
xxx
