"Incredible thinking back to that stuff you lived through.
And your words terror and failure - so powerful.
You do and say incredible things." Annabel.
This cut-out was me from 25 years ago.
I started working at the YMCA 1985 yesterday.
I was there for 18 years.
I was due to start 1st May but ........
My Aunt Mary had died and I went her funeral.
I came as a battered human.
I had lost resilience.
I was in need of refreshment
re-energising
much to offer
but ready for a different challenge.
We all moved into the second floor Hostel flat.
It was a great relief to be there.
It was a haven for me
as I led creating a haven for 150 others.
The first job was to demolish a cupboard.
I wanted it because it was right next to the coffee-bar.
In the heart of things.
It became my office
juke box
pinball machine head
critical cartoons of Margaret Thatcher
(I was told to take them down by a Board member).
..... and I moved in there too with my PA ..... Mo.
I was made welcome.
It was strange though.
I was amongst strangers
coming from a community of well-knowns.
My head was still full of court cases.
I had spent a lot of time in Crown Courts.
I had been supporting so many kids as they faced Justice.
I was there as their only articulate friend.
(Articulate - me!!)
and it was really good drinking tea in the court cafe
with lots of family members and the accused.
Bu I had to move on with head heart and activity.
I started a film/discussion evening.
It started at 10pm.
It was a short movie film/10 minutes.
Then a hot HOT discussion.
Never about God - but she always came into the frame
- and not via me!
This text could develop into the first chapter of
'Gutter Feelings - and Beyond' - a new book!
(My first book was called 'Gutter Feelings')
I covered the first 40 years of my life.
I now have a few more years for the next one ....
I am publishing a book in August 2010.
Watch this space because
I am keen for it to be a virus
spreading wide .................
Title is forthcoming ......
