LIfe – Page 18 – neilhayeswrites

Black and White

March 25, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Almost every news, or information, item that appears on my facebook feed has no meaning. Pictures of a few maniacs used to justify hatred of an entire group. Images of a sick child with the suggestion to share or like to send a prayer, and if you don’t you must be a monster. Being asked to like something to show your support, and told you are a coward if you don’t.

The problem is that nothing is black and white. All police officers are not good, most are and do an unenviable job. All muslims are not terrorists, some are and need to be stopped. And if you want to help a sick child then make a donation, or do something concrete.

So, everyone, please stop posting this polarising nonsense. It has no purpose, it is too simplistic and it is divisive. And that is the last thing we all need.

Daily Prompt: Meaningless

Daredevils

March 8, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Watching my kids, tearing around on their bikes. Seemingly with no nerves, little daredevils with one mission, to have fun. Unaware of their father standing nervously by, waiting for disaster to strike. And, of course, occasionally it does. After all, it wouldn’t be childhood without the occasional bump and bruise.

But, as nervous as I sometimes feel, I must strive not to convey those feelings to them. Childhood is not the time to worry, there will be plenty of time for that later.

While I feel nervous watching them speeding around, I also feel incredibly proud and joyous. My kids are amazing and constantly surprise and impress me with their abilities. They are always learning new skills and I must remember to learn from them too. And remind myself that life is about living, not worrying.

Daily Prompt: Nervous

Childhood Memories

March 5, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Some memories from your childhood seem to remain with you forever. Especially the colours, sounds and smells. And at times they are intrinsically linked.

Some foods constantly remind me of a time, a place or an event. This is perhaps helped by the fact that food, when I was a child, was a regular cycle. We had our routine, fish on Fridays was a classic, of course. But pie and chips on Saturday was what I really looked forward to. And when I think of the smell of that pie I think of football, simply because the afternoon of sport on television would always be starting as we sat down to my favourite lunch.

Then, as a child of the seventies, there were the colours. A magnificent blend of browns and oranges. Oh what a time, some of the pictures of me are truly horrifying to behold. Brown trousers, with a brown jumper and a slightly different shade of shirt, perhaps cream? But if a splash of colour was needed, subtle it was not.

And the sounds? I still remember the albums my older sister would be listening to, as well as their covers. Joan Armatrading and Roxy Music are always the first to come to mind. Classics now and fixed in my mind as part of my childhood.

As we get older, what happened in your twenties seems more like a fog, but those childhood memories remain vivid indeed.

Daily Prompt: Vivid