What's it all about, Alfie?
That's a question that comes to the fore from time to time. Perhaps when you are about to hit a milestone age and realise that the road rising to meet you is shorter than the trail you've left behind. Perhaps when you are coming to terms with the loss of someone you love and life tastes like dust.
Whatever the reason, I think it's no bad thing to ask that question and that's what I have decided to do.
So, here I am, armed with a question. It's a very good question. But who shall I ask? I think over the coming year, I will wander around, find interesting people and ask them my question. From physicists to porn stars. From rabbis to rude boys. I'll ask them all what its all about and see what they say.
Hopefully we'll talk. Talk of Life. Laugh.
Perhaps I'll learn something new about how to look at life. And if I do, I'll be sure to share it with you.
4 comments:
Always remember that "Lassie" was soft paw corn.
The Answer of course is 42. It is impossible for both The Answer and The Question to coexist in the same universe. There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. Apologies of course to Prak and Adams.
Life is gift that keeps on giving. In its cruelest moments and its most bereft state, it defies all known logics and physics, and gives the completely unexpected. For example. As you know, my Mum was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in her right hand and forearm in March and she had an emergency amputation. She came to live with us for six months while she recuperated and adjusted, and in that time, I in turn, lent on my husband, my family and friends (old and new) for support, advice and understanding. And that came in abundance. It was humbling. As she got better, my need for that extra-ordinary support lessened as things normalised. It also felt like I was using up my quota of goodwill - there's only so much patience and understanding one can expect, surely? She moved into her own adapted place, she adjusted to life with one arm beautifully and we began to settle back into our own little family life, all the better for the experience of having her with us. And then, last Tuesday, she was given the news that the cancer had sadly spread to her lungs and she doesn't have long with us on earth. Since then, it feels like the rollercoaster of emotions has swept me up again and Im straight back in to asking for favours, support and understanding from those around me. But this time, I've been asking hesitantly, unsure of people's reactions to giving yet MORE of their time, patience and love as I navigate through the next few weeks and months. After all, I've used up the supply, haven't I? Surely those resources, like everything else natural on earth, has a limit? It turns out I was magnificently, embarrassingly and monumentally wrong. It turns out there is no shortage of compassion, love, understanding, generosity, empathy, companionable silence, or tea making ability. It also turns out that people don't tire of giving love and support. If anything it energises them. And the more they do, the more they want to do. It's perpetual energy in its purest state.
So what's it all about? It's about the humbling lesson that when you think you have it all figured out, life will surprise you with a more valuable lesson. And that lesson will be unique to you, it will matter only to you, and it's one that you'll take with you always. As I said, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Life is gift that keeps on giving. In its cruelest moments and its most bereft state, it defies all known logics and physics, and gives the completely unexpected. For example. As you know, my Mum was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in her right hand and forearm in March and she had an emergency amputation. She came to live with us for 6 months while she recuperated and adjusted, and in that time, I in turn, lent on my husband, my family and friends (old and new) for support, advice and understanding. And that came in abundance. It was humbling. As she got better, my need for that extra-ordinary support lessened as things normalised. It also felt like I was using up my quota of goodwill - there's only so much patience and understanding one can expect, surely? She moved into her own adapted place, she adjusted to life with one arm beautifully and we began to settle back into our own little family life, all the better for the experience of having her with us. And then, last Tuesday, she was given the news that the cancer had sadly spread to her lungs and she doesn't have long with us on earth. Since then, it feels like the rollercoaster of emotions has swept me up again and Im straight back in to asking for favours, support and understanding from those around me. But this time, I've been asking hesitantly, unsure of people's reactions to giving yet MORE of their time, patience and love as I navigate through the next few weeks and months. After all, I've used up the supply, haven't I? Surely those resources, like everything else natural on earth, has a limit? It turns out I was magnificently, embarrassingly and monumentally wrong. It turns out there is no shortage of compassion, love, understanding, generosity, empathy, companionable silence, or tea making ability. It also turns out that people don't tire of giving love and support. If anything it energises them. And the more they do, the more they want to do. It's perpetual energy in its purest state.
So what's it all about? It's about the humbling lesson that when you think you have it all figured out, life will surprise you with a more valuable lesson. And that lesson will be unique to you, it will matter only to you, and it's one that you'll take with you always. As I said, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
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