It's that time of year to focus on family. My own history reveals the terrible family consequences of letting misunderstandings fester which could have been easily solved if someone had reached out in time.Yesterday in Birmingham Paul Williams, 38, died homeless outside the Bull Ring. Although he'd been offered hostel accommodation he didn't want to lose the friendship from an old man sleeping rough beside him. In times of trouble, they stood beside each other and helped. They chose a spot to sleep outside the Wagamama restaurant because there was a downward warm draught from an upper vent cooking outlet. It appears there was a long rift with his father over Paul's drinking. Coupled with this was Paul's epilepsy problems. The father had tried looking for his son as he feared he might have been sleeping rough but despite a search he'd been unable to find him. What a tragedy. Particularly at this time of year, whatever the cause of your family's problems, think of this vulnerable man's death and also of the poor father who will never get his son back. Take it from me: don't let family problems and feuds fester over long periods. Give everyone you love a hug whilst you still can.
Season's greetings from Olga to you all.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
26th December 2011
Re-read my Dickens-like blog: nothing's quite what it seems. Xmas may be a Christian festival, but all religions are merely a different door leading to the same house.
As HM The Queen said yesterday, whatever your personal ethos may be, family is all-important. But it's not the material things like gifts that matter, it's the communication. Stop and listen to the birds who live in our urban landscapes. The din from traffic, sirens and people has become so strong that many have stopped their traditional song. Tragically, some have started mimicking burglar alarms. A desperate plea for help, but is anyone listening?
Someone once said 'give 'em the flowers now', and it's very true. It's vital to show the people you love that you care. Not by buying them material 'flowers', but by telling them. Don't wait until after they've gone. Many are the glorious eulogies read at funeral wakes. Too late. Give 'em the 'flowers' now.
Communication. That's the key. Tell the right thing at the right time to the right person, and all will be well. You know who they are. Don't wait. Do it now.
Season's greetings to you all.
As HM The Queen said yesterday, whatever your personal ethos may be, family is all-important. But it's not the material things like gifts that matter, it's the communication. Stop and listen to the birds who live in our urban landscapes. The din from traffic, sirens and people has become so strong that many have stopped their traditional song. Tragically, some have started mimicking burglar alarms. A desperate plea for help, but is anyone listening?
Someone once said 'give 'em the flowers now', and it's very true. It's vital to show the people you love that you care. Not by buying them material 'flowers', but by telling them. Don't wait until after they've gone. Many are the glorious eulogies read at funeral wakes. Too late. Give 'em the 'flowers' now.
Communication. That's the key. Tell the right thing at the right time to the right person, and all will be well. You know who they are. Don't wait. Do it now.
Season's greetings to you all.
28th March 2010
We're back in S.W. France again! It feels good to be home again, Bruno and Tina's tails wagging in unison like windscreen wipers. The house feels a little musty, but we've flung open the volets and windows, the forsythia bushes are a riot of yellow, and we can see bright blue between the clouds. Summer's coming at last.
The holiday's made me feel a bit strange: a re-run of my past life. My brother and I re-visited the house we grew up in. Everything looked so tiny. We walked around Perry Hall Park, where I used to play, feeling sad that the old canteen where our mother used to work was no longer there - burnt down in an arson attack years ago. At least the old oak tree was still there, under which I broke my arm doing a cartwheel fifty years ago. We enjoyed going to Villa Park again, cheering wildly when our team scored, even if I sadly now understand the vernacular all around me!
It was lovely to chat to old friends and hug close family, but...... How to compare the two countries? The Paris and London roads are both chockablock and maddeningly impossible to navigate around: Paris with its multitude of E road numbers - is it the E15, E05 or A3?? How can it be all 3? What I've got to do now is relax chez-nous and work out in my own mind where I feel happiest. I certainly can't do without the sunshine and bright blue skies, so perhaps I've already made up my mind. Time will tell.
The holiday's made me feel a bit strange: a re-run of my past life. My brother and I re-visited the house we grew up in. Everything looked so tiny. We walked around Perry Hall Park, where I used to play, feeling sad that the old canteen where our mother used to work was no longer there - burnt down in an arson attack years ago. At least the old oak tree was still there, under which I broke my arm doing a cartwheel fifty years ago. We enjoyed going to Villa Park again, cheering wildly when our team scored, even if I sadly now understand the vernacular all around me!
It was lovely to chat to old friends and hug close family, but...... How to compare the two countries? The Paris and London roads are both chockablock and maddeningly impossible to navigate around: Paris with its multitude of E road numbers - is it the E15, E05 or A3?? How can it be all 3? What I've got to do now is relax chez-nous and work out in my own mind where I feel happiest. I certainly can't do without the sunshine and bright blue skies, so perhaps I've already made up my mind. Time will tell.
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