Category: Writing

Boating into Rough Seas

We’re still on our travels. We cruised to a different county (county – not country!) last week – for the first time! It has been quite an experience. We have travelled along rivers that could fit ships and rivers that can’t fit much more than a canoe! We’re getting quite good at unsticking the boat when she beaches on the shallow bits of the river and we have found some lovely locations. I’ll blog more about our travels in another post – something for you to look forward to!

We’re not going to travel much in the next couple of days though because the weather looks awful. We’d get blown to Oz! It’s ‘Batten down the hatches’ time, again. We’ll make sure we’re well tied on and wait out the storm. Better move Crazy Dave incase he gets blown into the river!
At least it will give me time on the boat to do more writing!

Writing on the Boat!

I have been busy on Medium.com this week, even while travelling on the boat! Some articles are still with the publishers, but this one is ready.

Medium.com: Don’t Worry About Getting Old…

It caused quite a debate about the spelling of the word ‘ageing’. It turns out that it’s ‘ageing’ in the UK and ‘aging’ in the US – just when I thought I knew all of the UK/US differences! In the end I settled on ‘Getting Old’!

If any of you are worried about us during this stormy weather – don’t be! We’ve weathered storms before. At least this one is short and we have water! Not like Storm Gareth!

Roll With Life!

I was walking through town this afternoon and I saw a couple of young lads, maybe 12 years old. One was guiding the other with a hand on the back of his neck. As I got nearer I realised that one of the lads had additional needs and the hand on his neck was supportive for him. It was quite heartwarming, watching the way one lad was supporting the other as they navigated the busy High Street. Moving as one. It was a momentary snapshot of someone else’s life, and it made me smile.

The two boys reminded me of my own kids when they were younger and the support they gave each other. The times when the youngest (as a toddler) translated his brother’s sign language, when he defended him against bullies and when he could work out what was bothering his brother. Usually when adults couldn’t figure it out!

Many years ago I used to run a preschool group for little children with additional needs. I met some amazing kids and some equally amazing parents and some fantastic siblings. I’m not trying to suggest that life is always lovely and easy. It is downright tough sometimes – but it’s the connections that we make on the way through the awful times that keep us going and allow us to celebrate the good times. Help a friend through the tears and you will appreciate the laughter so much more.

Thinking about the two lads, my kids, and the families I’ve met over the years – has made me think about Joe in Downhill From Wednesday. About how people support each other; parents, siblings, friends. It made me think about the things that people with additional needs manage on a day to day basis. The challenges and successes. And the attempts and failures. The support from those who care about them that helps create the successes. The extra ‘above and beyond’ support that’s given from those who are paid low wages to care and support. People like Lindsey in Downhill. There are ‘Lindsey’s’, parents, siblings and friends in every town, working their socks off right now with a common, selfless, aim.

Here’s a big shout out to them! A big pat on the back and a high 5 to you all!