My Father was a treasure trove of knowledge and regularly answered the quiz questions on TV programs correctly. He read numerous books, newspapers and loved watching documentaries about sport, nature, history of the world… He was a great conversationalist and an asset to any socializing event. He could hold court with politicians or working folk, paupers or royalty. He kept up with the latest news, scrolling through teletext first thing in the morning and watching the 7.30pm news program every evening. He made informed decisions, had strong opinions on politics and stuck to them, he did not fly with the wind.
The dominant feature on TV through my childhood was sport. All sorts. We watched all the Olympic games, winter and summer, World Cup Football, with England having a special place in his heart, World Cup Skiing and Ski Jumping every weekend of the season, Ice Hockey competitions and of course The Athletics circuit. We played football and badminton, skied and ice skated, hiked hills and mountains, all with my Father. The wonderful outdoors with all the fresh air, the physical aspect and the winning feeling of any sport is my Father’s legacy for generations to come.
My Father also liked to prove people wrong, as I do. I remember my PE teacher putting my name forward for cross-country running once and my Father said: ‘ You are not a runner I am afraid.’ I did go to the competition and came to finish, with tears rolling down my cheeks, second from last. Needless to say I did not attend any more running competitions but through sheer determination and the strength of my character ran a marathon 30 years later and felt proud beyond belief. Even my Father was impressed. It can be done if you put your heart and hard work in it.
The ‘it cannot be done’ can only not be done if it’s been tried. But it can…
‘Do not try this at home.’
frombrotherswithlove 