LIfe – Page 22 – neilhayeswrites

Christmas Joy

December 14, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

This week I saw my first Christmas performance of the season. My daughter had a carol singing performance in the garden of her kindergarten, and it was magical. The trees were strewn with fairy lights and the children, and adults, were all wrapped up against the cold.

The songs were beautiful and really put everyone in the spirit of the season. But the most beautiful things of all was, of course, the smile on my daughter’s face. When she came outside, holding hands with her partner, she was searching the crowd for me and her brother. When our eyes met the light in her eyes was unforgettable, so excited to perform for us. And perform she did, singing loudly and proudly the whole time.

There are people who complain that Christmas has no real meaning, but I disagree. The meaning of this holiday is in the light of a child’s eyes. When they receive their gifts, but more importantly, when they are with their family, singing, eating, drinking, or simply spending time together.

Missing the Point

December 9, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

There is a person, who lives above my classroom, who continually litters the street. It is hard to believe, but they throw their used tissues out of their window. Not into their bin, but out of their window and onto the street. They land in front of my classroom door and I, used to, look at them and fume. I can’t understand what goes through this person’s mind, so I have decided to not even try. So now, I just clean up the mess and enjoy the clean view from my chair.

I also see school students throwing their cigarette butts on the floor. And, when I suggest they should take them to the nearest bin, they don’t understand why they should. After all, if they do no one else will, so it won’t make any difference. But they are missing the point. If I clean up somebody else’s mess, I have a clean environment. If they are cleaner, maybe others will be encouraged to do the same. Don’t turn a blind eye because it isn’t your mess, do something.

via Daily Prompt: Missing

Christmas Aromas

December 3, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Today was another day filled with the sensations of the season, specifically the aroma of Christmas. All day the smell of baking gingerbread has filled our home, along with the excited voices of our children.

The kids have been looking forward to this day, the day when the baking begins. Now the biscuits are cooling and awaiting decoration, those that are left. Of course, it is hard to resist eating a few during the day.

This is a marvellous Czech tradition, though it is a lot of work for my wife. But there is so much more satisfaction to be had when something is made with love and joy. In Britain, we have become very lazy. I am not sure if anyone makes anything anymore, it is certainly a good time of year for the supermarkets.

I think the way that the British consume, and seemingly don’t grow or make things themselves anymore, is quite shocking to the Czechs, who are still a nation of producers. I have to admit that I am on the lazy side of this equation myself. But I am more than happy that my children will be brought up to make more themselves, and enjoy it.

Echo: A short story

December 3, 2016September 18, 2019 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

I sometimes wonder if I am cracked. It almost feels like places are speaking to me. Not every place, but ones with a history. But not what most people would think of as historical.

An abandoned factory, for instance, seems to resonate with past events. Just imagine the stories it could tell. Peoples’ blood, sweat and tears seem to impregnate those walls. Whereas, when I enter a church it seems like the emptiest of shells.

Today, I am exploring the former. A factory, abandoned for how long? I love exploring places like this. As soon as I enter, it feels like there is history here. This place is amazing.

The windows are almost all destroyed. Cracked and dirty, but allowing the occasional shaft of sunlight to illuminate the dust that hangs in the air.

The roof seems to be the home to every flying rat from within the nearest few miles. So, of course, the floor is covered with a fair amount of their history; as well as what was left behind when the factory closed.

But it is the machines that draw me in. I can feel the past here. How many hours did men spend standing at these beasts of the industrial age? Men who knew no other life, perhaps had no other option. But, perhaps, were happy with their lot; or perhaps not.

This space is cavernous and, in early winter, the air is cold and bites the lungs. But the sky is clear and has that deep blue which makes the world a brighter place.

It is so silent here now. But, once, there would have been a tumult; day in, day out. I can almost hear it now. No, I can here it now. I tell myself it is just my imagination, but I swear I can hear it.

The incessant repetition, as machines hammer and bend metal into shape. The shouts and calls of the workmen, struggling to make themselves heard. After a lifetime in this place, the silence of nature must have been terrifying.

If it is my imagination, it is so vivid at times, it feels so real. But I am not a believer of superstitions. There are no ghosts here, only memories.

But then there is another feeling, one of loss. I know men would have died here. Without knowing it for a fact, it would have happened. Lives lost, families torn apart. Their pain, their loss, still echoing through time.

Atmosphere

November 29, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Every venture into nature, at this time of year, seems to plunge you into a different world. Even a short walk next to the river, literally five minutes from my home, can provide peace and tranquility. So easy to escape the city and find space.

Many days are cloudy, but that only increases the interest. Golden leaves lie everywhere, and when the mist descends the atmosphere is incredible.

It is amazing how, when I am walking and looking around me, I feel safe and contented. But, while looking through my camera lens, everything looks like a potential scene from a horror movie. People look as if they are walking to their doom and buildings appear to be deserted. That is why I love this time of year, there are just so many possibilities.

And soon the snow will come, bringing with it different feelings and different possibilities. Sometimes chilled to the bone, scraping ice off the windscreen. Sometimes hot and sweaty, chasing the children and throwing snowballs. Both scenes will be captured through my lens.