So, 2013 is almost an end. As life chugs remorselessly into its latter stages and retirement has to be considered more often what is it from the last twelve months that I can look back on and appreciate for the differences they made? Personal achievement or global occasion, what will I recall in my memoirs when I eventually sit down to write them? In no particular order....
Friends are important. I've met a few new people in the course of the last year through Geocaching and I hope that we stay friends for many years to come. Having a shared interest helps of course but it is more than that. I've enjoyed some good times and learnt a lot about life and amity.
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Good neighbours are invaluable. Living alongside people that you can trust is worth more than the bricks and mortar you live in. The shift working lifestyle of my household has led to some tricky situations and being able to fall back on others to help out with dog feeding and walking duties has been invaluable. They've made living where we do a pleasure, long may it continue.
A great man, the likes of which will probably never be seen again, departed this mortal coil. There is nothing I can say that hasn't been said or written already about Nelson Mandela. All I hope is that his message lives on into future generations.
I will never forget Saturday 27th April. That crossbar, that penalty, Marcello Trotta et al. Sitting with my head in my hands on the Ealing Road terrace unable to comprehend what had just happened. The events of that day are written in football folklore now and I still cannot watch the Youtube videos without a lump in my throat. It hurt so badly, almost as if I'd been bereaved, maybe 2014 will be our promotion year but that day will never leave me.
Standing up against the establishment. I stuck my head above the parapet and took on the perceived bad guy. It was always going to be an uphill struggle and the outcome was as I expected but the pyrrhic victory achieved by the other candidate was reward in itself. If nothing else I hope that the door has been opened for others to challenge.
Poverty is a crime against humanity. How is it possible, in the 21st Century, for so many people to be reliant on Food Banks? This abhorrent government that we have is not even prepared to debate the subject in parliament. Do they think that ignoring the problem will make it go away? Has there ever been a regime so uncaring of the lower classes?
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Taking a trip down Memory Lane can be a disappointment. Those rosy memories of younger years will be soured by those mates you look up. Has to be best to leave the past where it is I think.
England. In 2013 I've seen more of this country than ever before and what a beautiful place it is. So much glorious scenery to be enjoyed, so many places to visit. Taking the time to get out of the car and walk through this land of ours is the simplest yet greatest of pleasures. I don't do resolutions but I do hope to continue seeing as much of our land as possible.
