A Supernatural, Ordinary Walk into Wimborne…
Malcolm and I returned from our trip to Kos a few days ago. I will write all about that, and the wonderful things we did on my next few blogs, but today, I want to talk to you about my very simple, short walk into our town, Wimborne.
We are certainly greatly blessed to live in such a wonderful town, and I’m grateful that I moved to the area with my children over twenty years ago, so they could amass to their full advantage all the local amenities, and even stop off at the seaside at will, whenever a sunny day dared to appear in the sky. So, today I’m quietly walking along East Borough, past the school, where I can hear children laughing and playing in the grounds, and it reminds me of when my children were there, at that school, and how I collected and dropped them off every day. And just like that, I remember all the sports days and events that we as parents, were included in. Those days are over! Just like that! Gone! My children have flown the nest, and now I am left holding and cherishing all those delicious memories of juggling work and being the best mum I could possibly be. Sweet, vibrant days of rush, work, love, fun and growing up… Life travels too fast, then suddenly you’re grey and the mirror reflects back wrinkles that you try to appease with oils, creams and special preparations, that are supposed to make your skin a little more elastic - ping! Sorry, it doesn’t do a permanent job…😉
My mind is calm, happy, grateful, and suddenly, I think of one particular song I wrote a few weeks ago: ‘I stop at the Corner’. The song only took about 75 views on Youtube, but I think the moral message behind the story, perhaps got overlooked by my listeners? I don’t know? Anyway, I think about the words I had written, and remember how we can be somebody else’s sunshine, just by stopping, talking and taking an interest…
Further along East Borough, I slowly walk, past Gulliver Court, then Allen Court, and I remember the residents there who I used to visit every day when I was the sheltered housing manager. I loved to make people feel better, happier and get them help if they needed it. Then, I’m faced with the doctor’s surgery that has since changed hands, and I grieve over the loss of such a sweet little surgery where I could speak to Dr Deverill with complete frankness if I didn’t agree with him; he was such a decent, caring doctor who listened and heard my concerns, then acted accordingly. Another loss, along with many other losses that we have all been forced to take on the chin… 😏
I look up and on the corner of East Borough, at the end, I spot and old man sitting on the wall, resting. My song comes to mind again…. ‘I’m going to chat to him,’ I think…. So, I do… We chat for about 10 minutes, and certainly, without any doubt whatsoever, we both make a difference to each other’s day. Isn’t that what community is all about? And hasn’t the soul fallen out of life and community, and isn’t it time to bring the heart and soul back in? I really think so…
Listen to this song if you will, because this song, speaks my heart… ❤️😍 One of the reasons I’m walking into town is that I’ve got some books in my bag, that I may or may not drop off at Gulliver’s book shop!… I’m just testing the waters today. I’ve left if long enough. These books have been published for at least 6 months and I was waiting for the day I have enough Oomph in my step, to walk in and declare that my book could, should, will, perhaps make a tiny little difference to the life of their shop… But, as I say, I’m just testing the waters today, like you do when you are not entirely sure of the world you live in, but you’ve always tried to make the world a better place anyway…
I’ve reached the town centre and I’m at the door of Gulliver’s book shop! Ah! There’s an A board outside, advertising an afternoon with Alexander McCall Smith on 24th October… Ooow, I think, I’ll phone Malcolm to see if we are free on that date because Malcolm loves, loves, loves Alexander!! And as I’m phoning Malcolm, a figure from my past, with arms flapping and words shouting ‘How are you, how are you?!’ appears from nowhere and is suddenly all consuming! And there I am, being hugged by my dear friend from school pick-up days, Mel! A very rapid conversation progresses, then a quick walk to the library, exchange of much creative and articulate information between the two of us, and a quick march back to Gulliver’s book shop, where I am encouraged to go in and show my book! haha😜
After a little chat, a flustered, flushed face and much angst on my part, due to the sharing of heart-felt truths about my life and sensitivities, it was agreed that my book should sit on the shelves of Gulliver’s book shop, and await hordes of purchasers to make their way from all four corners of England to spend their hard-earned cash, on my must-have book of poems and songs - the one I have crafted together over the past year 😁 I hand over two books and quietly wonder if I’ll even sell one?…💁 Because, yes, I know those poems are a mixture of fun and humour, dreams of a great future, and messages of love for humanity, but I feel completely lost in our modern world of dis-connectedness, plastic faces and inauthentic conversations. I’m very sensitive, but, this is me; this is who I am… I love people and I’m in creative, sensitive-mode most of the time! The book shop lady, asks me about marketing and I splutter a bit about not having any money for that, but that it was likely some of my songs would be played on Wimborne Radio, as I’d been given a kind of offer for that, and I was looking to promote local businesses (Gulliver’s book shop) as part of my own crusade of book selling and song writing. Most of my poems are translated into songs and are available on Youtube for free, or iTunes to purchase.
Please enjoy listening to this one: ‘Think Big, Think Small’, which is one of the poems in my book. I still think this is the best one I have produced because it dreams of a wonderful future for us all. Isn’t that what we all want?😘
And certainly my walk to Wimborne was a supernatural, ordinary walk because I prayed and thanked God all the way down East Borough Road, for all the wonderful memories I have of living in this wonderful town. I truly believe that heaven touched me along the way and I would so love to help make Wimborne into a greater and more thriving community, that sets it apart as a beacon of joy for our country to be eminently proud of.
Here’s my book. If you would like to purchase it, I would be so grateful if you could buy it from Gulliver’s book shop, Wimborne, rather than from Amazon or Waterstones… Thank you 😊 🙏 https://read.amazon.co.uk/sample/B0F2459PMT?clientId=share
