Those were the Days…

Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay 

Those Were the Days

I read a post the other day where they were talking about the wonderful sense of freedom to be found behind the wheel of a car.

Immediately, I was transported back to my independent, working woman days when I owned a car.

Learning to drive was a nightmare for me, as it took me a while to learn anything new, but once mastered, the world became my oyster. Not only did I drive myself to work every day, my family found newfound freedom with that car as we visited so many interesting places.

Becoming an experienced driver opened a very different world for me, a world where I finally felt competent and capable, something I had never felt before.

It wasn’t all roses, though; there were a few hair-raising experiences along the way.

Someone dropped something from a bridge just as I drove underneath. The windscreen splintered, leaving me in a state of shock and unable to see anything in front of the car. 

I had been travelling at about 65 mph, and for a few seconds, I froze. I had no memory of anyone behind me, but my instinct was to slam on the brakes in an emergency stop. The silence after the car stopped was deafening, and I sat there stunned and with my eyes shut.

I became aware of someone shouting, and when I opened my eyes, a furious man was standing beside the car, demanding to know what the hell I thought I was doing.

I couldn’t answer him. I was still in shock and confused, but I remember thinking, what the hell did he think I was doing?

More to the point, I wonder what he would have done in the same situation?

He stomped back to his car and drove off. At that point, I wanted to go home too, so somehow, I punched a hole in the splintered glass and drove away.

Another time, we were just leaving the garage in our car, feeling rather pleased that it had miraculously passed its MOT. It was a lovely sunny morning, and our spirits were high. We were looking forward to a visit to the coast that afternoon.

We were waiting at the top of a narrow exit ramp when we saw a rather large laundry van at the bottom of the ramp.

We wondered what the van was doing. Surely, he wasn’t going to reverse up the ramp?

Oh yes, he was, and he obviously hadn’t seen us waiting at the top. He continued to reverse, we expected him to stop at any minute, and when he showed no sign of slowing down, we started thumping the horn like a pair of crazy people.

Because the ramp was narrow, we couldn’t get out of the car. We were being forced to watch the disaster unfolding.

Our car needed a new bonnet and radiator after that, but our nerves took a while to mend!

To this day, every time we see a Sunlight Laundry van, we still want to scream!

I was a driver for more than 25 years before my hip put a stop to my fun, but all those years sitting in the driving seat were some of the best years of my life…

Seek, and you will find?

Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay 

I was looking for inspiration this morning. Something, anything to get my tired old brain working properly again.

Image by Dave Boardman from Pixabay 

This beautiful face reminds me of a ghost from 60 years ago, a treasured childhood companion.

She later returned as my muse when I needed a friend, to help me through a time of confusion and worry. Seeing this picture brought back so many different memories, and I wondered if this could be a message to help me now. I can already feel her calming presence starting to work its magic.

I have been trying to stay calm and optimistic, but it has been so hard. Maybe she will stay with me for a while until I am back on track again…

Memories… #Poetry

Image by Nos Nguyen from Pixabay 

Memories

Slip sliding through life in circles
Torn, shredded, this paper on the wind
Under dark skies, waiting for rain, thunder
Memories of the past haunt the present
Better to forget, get out from under the cloud
Let love into your life, move forward
In hope of better days, I pull up my boot straps
Never again to look behind myself
Grab every moment, as if for the first time.
           Remember that first kiss…


©AnitaDawes2020

Christmas Passing…

Image by Angeles Balaguer from Pixabay 

Christmas Eve is always a busy day in our house, although these days, it is a very different kind of busy.

I have fond memories of the good old days when our family came to our house for Christmas dinner. In the beginning, it was comfortable, but as the family grew over the years, it really took some organising.

The cooking was never a problem, as I can cope with almost anything in the kitchen, big or small. Fitting everyone around the table proved hilarious at times. We never had enough chairs, so there was always one person perched on something precarious.

These days our house is too small (and we are getting too old.) We don’t have anywhere near enough chairs or even a big enough table, so we have been succeeded by a granddaughter, one with a large house and a fantastic cook for a husband.

When this arrangement started, it was a strange novelty, eating a meal that I had not cooked, and I didn’t expect to like it, but I did, and now, I always look forward to having the day off.

We wanted Christmas to be special this year but could not have foreseen what 2022 had in store for all of us. Would the ghost of this dying year spoil the holiday?

It feels right for the first time ever that the year is slowly dying, slipping away unnoticed among all the chaos and misery.

We feel the same way as the ghost of Christmas present hovers in the doorway like an unwelcome guest, unsure as we all are as to what will happen next.

2023 is just a few days away, a brand-new year.

A year we are beginning to think will be the same as the last.

But does it have to be?

I woke up this morning with the overwhelming desire to send all the misery, worry and complacency packing along with this dreadful year.

To rekindle the spark that will make us all feel alive again.

At first, we will probably have to ‘Fake it until we make it,’ and push the envelope like crazy until life feels better.

We wish all of our friends and followers a Wonderful New Year, a year full of promise and possibilities, and in a few days, we will be sending out the first of our 2023 newsletters, looking forward and planning a much better year…

GIF by Julius H. from Pixabay 

Our Christmas Angel… #Poetry


Our Christmas Angel

Old Christmas memories come calling
When snow did lie all around
Snow angels, snowmen, the days delight
Children laughing, presents wrapped
Warm mince pies waiting
Custard stirring in time with Grandads snoring
Mum flapping while dad sharpens the turkey knife
Big brother calling, time to come in to help lay the table
Three of us rush the door together
Managing to squeeze through
Like the pop of a champagne cork flying across the room
We land in a giggling pile of legs and arms
Mother calling, she need help!
I know this isn’t true, she likes to give us something to do
To feel a part of our Christmas cheer
God bless, Mum… she’s our Christmas angel…


©AnitaDawes2020

Once in a Lifetime… #Poetry

Image by Silke from Pixabay ~ Poem by ©AnitaDawes2022

Once in a Lifetime

Can there ever be another you?
Having searched the world over the answer is no
Angels only fall to earth once in a lifetime
Memories of sparkling blue eyes, rosebud lips
Picture postcards, flashbacks soothe the dark night
Inside my wallet I keep a white feather
One day soon, I hope we will meet again
Now I have to sleep, to dream, to keep your face ever young…

©AnitaDawes2022

A Dream Space… #Poetry

Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay ~ Poem by A Dawes

A Dream Space

Inside time there is a dream space
Never has there been a time like now
For dreams to come true
Afraid to sleep, don’t be
Memories fade into shadows
Often repeated in a new life
Under warm covers, you must dream it first
So that you can be reborn...

©AnitaDawes2022