Thirty two years ago tomorrow I became a father for the first time when my son Jonathon joined the cast of this reality show called life. A rollercoaster of a gig my boy has thus far weathered relatively well; arriving into adulthood as an engaging and grounded young man of whom I’m immensely proud. Never…
Tag: birthday
It Started With A Song
Unlike the Hot Chocolate song which started with a kiss, after prompting from my buddy Sarah, GJ Strachan’s final birthday in his 50’s started with Alexa singing him a hearty rendition of ‘Happy Birthday To You’. The virtual songbird making a far better fist of the famed refrain than yours truly who decided to go…
Spectrum of Emotions
Well, my little buddy Coco appeared to enjoy a splendid birthday on Thursday. Sure, it wasn’t an occasion playing out with any great pomp and circumstance – The beautiful Labrador/retriever cross’s official arrival into middle age not celebrated with a marching band, elaborate firework display or quaffing of champers. However, my poochy pal still managed…
Birthday Barbie
On Sunday as the kitchen clock’s minute hand shifted onto 08.15am, marking the time of my birth 58 years to the day, I sat at the breakfast table reflecting on the circle of life. In particular, pondering that on that occasion how reliant I’d have been on the 22 year old who’d just given birth…
Birthday Boy
It would’ve been my old man’s 84th birthday today. At 9am precisely, and in no particular order, he’d have commenced a ring around of his three offspring in turn. After my siblings Ian, Helen and I had bestowed birthday wishes upon Malcolm, in his engaging Leeds accent, he’d have expressed gratitude for his presents. Our…
Anniversary Alluring
Despite it’s best efforts, COVID-19 was unable to affix the ruining of my birthday to it’s mammoth collateral damage rap sheet. To be clear, when correlating against the utter global devastation sweeping along in coronavirus’ wake, even if lockdown had guided my celebrations down a route to purgatory, I realise the episode wouldn’t warrant mention…
Present Pedantry
Fifty plus years ago today, in a West Yorkshire maternity unit, I made my inaugural appearance on this dysfunctional planet. An unremarkable event which went much to plan, apart from an unexpected necessity of engaging a tattoo artist to cover up three sixes discovered on my bonce. This body art charlatan, charging my parents £20…
Clinically Inane
As his COVID-19 symptoms worsen, it’s disappointing to hear news that UK prime minister Boris Johnson’d been transferred into an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) had been greeted with glee by a toxic section of this nation’s populace. Their lack of humanity towards a man whose crime is not to share their ideology, giving an early…
Born Under A Piscean Star
Scene – March 1993 – The clear spring sky grants unhindered visual access to the Piscean constellation lording it above a Bedfordshire hospital. This majestic celestial display overhead, with the new day only minutes old, witnessing a girl child’s arrival. The babe’s advent seven days previous to the anticipated birth date; an event catching her…