A Chat

Fame and fortune I have not sort (oh well ok, I lie, I am still trying to win the lotto) and truly life has been pretty good to me overall and I’m happy with my lot. I have never gone hungry, I’m not worth a fortune but I get by. I’ve been lucky with my partner in life that we get on so well and have for forty something years. We have three sons who have grown up to be young men we are proud of. I’ve had the odd challenge with my health from time to time, but then so does everyone and I’m better off than some.

The RSL ode says “Age shall not weary them, for they shall not grow old” (I know they are talking about our dead heroes) they are sure as hell not talking about me because the bloke who looks back at me in the mirror each time I pass is not looking too flash and sure does get weary pretty easy these days.

My wife and I recently went to the cinema and saw the movie “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. It’s about a bunch of older people that I can empathise with and their social conditions they find themselves in at this stage in life. I especially love the hotel manager’s saying which I think is brilliant - “Everything will be alright in the end…..if it’s not alright…..it’s not the end!”

Anyone you encounter who is feeling depressed, have suffered loss, or maybe facing seemingly overwhelming situations would benefit if they can pause a moment and adopt that philosophy.

I was eleven when I met John Brown. I didn’t know him well but he was the man who gave me the direction that later when I left school took me into a banking career that lasted thirty two years. Following that I worked for ten years in schools. I volunteered in Scouting and service clubs and community committees. I lived in many parts of the State and in my work and community I encountered many situations and experiences that moulded me into the person I am today. I look back and am satisfied.

There’s a bit more life in me yet so I hope many there will be many more chapters still to be written. These days I embrace retirement and the opportunities that open up for travel and spending time with people I admire. We all need to be needed and for that reason I still volunteer and offer my help to others.

Cheers and God bless (as someone says…)