I close my eyes and I’m in the Lugger Inn, Fowey Cornwall. It’s 1984 and having just disembarked the ferry my brother Mark and I are supping pints of Hicks Special Draft and eating locally made Cornish Pasties. I can taste both now and there’s no-one I would rather have been with back then. We had three weeks of raising eyebrows. Happy times....
I close my eyes and I’m on a beach near Slea Head November 2005 hunting the ‘Dinguin’ with my brother Mark; and our wives Kim and Ann and nephew James. The wind is wicked; I blame the lunch. Tears of laughter as well as those forced by the heavy breeze lift our wonderful day. Those that have seen the picture and certainly those of us there that day, remember Mark holding his own dingle peninsula to great all round amusement. Even Gallarus orated that day.....
I close my eyes and I’m sitting at a table in a flat above Coughlan’s in Coulsdon, Surrey. 143a, Brighton Road and it might be 1981. As Wing Commander ‘Molestrangler’, I am joined by my brother Mark and my sisters as we self entertain with a cassette recorder and a microphone for what must have been hours. Fuelled by supplies from Unwins’ and benefitting from the family discount; our behaviour at times bordered on psychotic. The spontaneous high quality humour made us a single entity and not just six separate siblings. That piece of audio history still exists somewhere in the sibling circle. That makes me happy.
I close my eyes and I’m marching in full No1 Uniform bayonet fixed on the parade square at Royal Air Force Swinderby, Lincolnshire...It’s 1976 and my RAF career of 15 years is launched and my brother Mark is watching me with family....I’m glad....
I close my eyes and I’m jumping to head the ball out of defence for Fields Aircraft Services. I connect and watch the ball move back up the pitch and land neatly at the feet of my brother Mark. Not given to wearing the same outfit often, this was one notable exception. We played and enjoyed football many times together. An even more memorable occasion was when we played together in 90 degree heat in Nerja in 1982. English Holidaying Guys against Spanish Locals in the local stadium on the day of the world cup final in Madrid Spain. The game was followed by both teams literally arm in arm repairing to the locals bar and watching the TV match together, rooting for the eventual winners Italy. Sometime after that it was the next day........Happy Days.....
I close my eyes and I see you pouring over the Sunday Express general knowledge crossword, I see you preparing a roast dinner and watching Pirates of the Caribbean with James. I see the compassionate caring family man at home in his castle...I will always remember those spectacular meals you took such pride in preparing. I can still taste your mushroom with wilted spinach and white stilton. I take your drive and seek to aspire to your standards in my kitchen. Jack Sparra’ indeed aaaar!
I close my eyes and I see coloured lights flashing and hear music playing.....I see a 21st birthday party and realise I’m somewhere close to the Purley Way. I quickly mix another CD, probably new romantic in origin, having spotted that I’m the DJ and the guest of honour my future sister in law Ann. I see my brother strutting his stuff with the love of his life...It must be 1989, and I’m happy....
I close my eyes and I see St Aidan’s Church Hall and a ‘Gorilla-gram’ is peeling clothes off to embarrass my sister Cherie on her 18th Birthday......Its 1983 and brother Mark (and he’s not a monk) has incurred the wrath of some youths in the cloakroom. Slightly stronger in the upper body in those days I am pleased to lift one of the offending individuals onto one of the hooks in the cloakroom and watch the remainder back off. That after all is what big brothers are for........
I close my eyes and I can smell the Wimpy Bar in Coulsdon. I am sitting with closest family and we’re all dressed in black for Mum’s funeral. There’s Samantha, Reece and Marcus; Ann, Mark and James, Kim and I, and we’re eating Wimpy and Chips.....It was awesome. It may be not be everyone’s idea, of what might be appropriate, but since when did that stop our family that 2008 day....It was a lightening prelude to a tough day, filled stomachs, so that made us all happier...
I close my eyes and I see Ann and James....I see them dealing with their loss with such strength, courage and character. I see them emerging from 2010 with Great Spirit; I enjoy being in contact with them through Facebook. I pat the backs of Bligh’s the length and breadth of that Emerald Isle and my siblings in England; providing kinship and support through tough times. I’m so glad to have a sister in law and nephew to make me so proud. You would be too brother...Rest peacefully, sure in the knowledge that they will be fine.
I close my eyes and I see you through the glass; I’m walking behind you down the middle of the road and with family, at the most amazing farewell of a funeral, I will likely ever see. For my life I will proudly carry you with me and not a day goes by when you are not in my mind. Still winded I can’t believe it’s almost a year.
Sleep tight... Michael x
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