11 September 2006

Today is poignant for a myriad of reasons.

It is, of course, the fifth anniversary of an act of calculated brutality and the loss of many lives.  The pictures of the Twin Towers will forever remain the mark of that day; but let's not forget others who lost their lives elsewhere in the US, on this day, five years ago.  Likewise, the bombings in London and those in Madrid and also elsewhere in the world.  Let's also not forget the fact that some survived these atrocities with physical and/or mental hurt of varying degrees.  Some of these people will never be able to forget, for a moment or so, for the rest of their lives.  They only have to look down at a lost limb, or be unable to see, or hear, to be reminded.

Let us all remember those who lost their lives and suffered immeasurably.  And let's strive to make the world a better place, in any way we can.

Five years ago, I was at home and switched on the TV to see the events of New York unfold before my eyes.  With hindsight, I now realise that the day was so immense in its impact that I also forgot at the time, and for a while afterwards, that it was my father's birthday.  I would have  remembered before the date and been prepared, but I know I was distracted, to say the least, on the day and in the days afterwards.

But today, I cannot possibly forget my father's birthday.  He has reached the ripe old age of 80!  So, today is sad for that dreadful period in our world's history, but it is also a time to appreciate life, and, particularly, my father's life.  In fact, it's also a time to celebrate life.  Again, my father's, particularly.  He lives on and he reads on.  He has little by way of leisurely enjoyment these days, due to his health, apart from reading.  He reads novels, crime fiction mainly, and he also reads the newspapers.  His forays into the press might allow some insight into his character when he draws my attention to the politics of the day.  Our current PM holds no place in his heart, even though I suspect that my father is a diehard Labour man, through and through.  (Well, that might explain his vitriol.)

He's absolutely hopeless at crosswords (my mother's favourite passtime) and fills in the gaps when my mother has finally hit "the wall".  The trouble is this - he tends to overlook the clues and just fills in the gaps.  Plus, he doesn't care about correct spelling too much...

But hell, what's left at eighty to have fun and enjoy life, especially if you're a bit physically constrained?

Today is the day of the many dead and the many affected by that atrocity.  But it's also my father's eightieth birthday.

He doesn't read this blog.  Neither does he read any print of it that I take him.  (Although I notice that he does keep the prints.)  But he is aware of it and how it's growing.

So, happy birthday to my father!  I hope you enjoyed your cards and cake!  (And yes, I bought him a cake in the end.  And don't laugh, I bought him a "Thomas the Tank Engine" cake.  He has a very sweet tooth!  And before Beeching, he was a railway man.  In addition, I'm still keeping him well stocked with novels, as best I can...)

Comments

[crimeficreader]

Thanks Maxine. Yes, he really was 80 on that day! And it's such a shame that so many innocent beings didn't have the chance to see that day too!
And, picking up on Debi's previous note, who is innocent in all this warfare?
We simply have to understand our changing world and its changing culture map.

[crimeficreader]

May,
It's a fact of life; and personal circumstances led to me move closer to home, my parents' home and my original home, in order to be close and to help them as much as I can, and in any way I can, within that.
I feel it's worth it, but many may not, in the same circumstances.
The time for the decision is variable and the decision itself is variable.
Something will arise to catalyse your thoughts, as it did with me. The actual decision however, is always personal.
Best,
CFR

[May]

I am scared about my parents getting old. They are in their late sixties now and are very active (travel, exercise, read, go to concerts) but I know that this cannot last forever. I am scared because a part of my life will be gone forever when they won't be the people they used to be. Also, taking care of many people (including chidlren) is not an easy task.

[Maxine]

Is your dad's birthday actually 11 Sept, then? A colleague at work had her baby on 11 sept 2001, so the little boy shares his birthday with all the breastbeating, poor little thing.

My dad was 80 in Feb this year so I empathise with your post!

[crimeficreader]

Thanks all!
And thanks Debi for drawing attention to that statistic. It causes pause for much thought.

[May]

Sweet.

[May]

Sweet.

[Karen M from Euro Crime]

Happy birthday to your father. My partner's a railway man now, he'd be interested in your father's memories. We passed so many former railway lines on our hol.

[Debi]

Happy birthday to your father, cfr.

It's certainly a day for reflection. According to yesterday's Guardian a total of 4,319 people have been killed in major terror attacks in the last 5 years. And 92,469 have been killed in the so-called war on terror ...