Little things that change lives
I was at a funeral for an old family friend on Friday and was reminded of the story of how he and my father met. In 1962 they were both working as clerks in the accounting department of the West Midlands Gas Board and got the same bus to work every day. They lived about 100 yards away from each other (in different streets) and were born five months apart, but because they'd gone to different secondary schools didn't really know each other and had never spoken. One morning, getting off the bus, my dad heard Alan whistling this tune, Panama and they struck up a conversation about traditional jazz that led to them becoming lifelong friends. They played together in a band for a while soon after that and Alan was best man at my parents' wedding.
He was a big part of my early childhood, the two families going on holiday together and we bought their house when Alan got a promotion that took him and his young family up to Scotland.
A long train journey back from the funeral had me musing on all the little twists of fate that brought us all together this week. remembering those who've already passed on and seeing something of those still left. How the events of more than fifty years ago have a continuing echo even now and that the seemingly little things like chatting to someone on the bus about some obscure tune that no-one else would recognise can create whole worlds of family and connection.
wonderful little story, hope you are keeping suitably cool in the warmth friend ;)
mostly, yes thanks :) Although I could have made life easier by taking my jacket and tie off immediately after the funeral instead of sweating but respectful for another half-an-hour!
oh my. we do put ourselves through it, don't we!
Music has a great way of bringing people together. There is a certain understanding among musicians. We all look at life in a more interesting philosophical kind of way. Killer song too!
Yes. And we are creating our own echoes into the future.
A lovely story @lloyddavis and the sort of thing, as you know, I ponder on frequently. 😊
Life is full of these little stories and what-ifs. Like; what if Alan hand whistled a different tune that day?
Just listened to the tune. How does someone even whistle that in a recognisable way? They both must have been really really into their jazz.
man, there are two very clear themes in there for champion whistlers :D
Usually i just scroll through these posts and give an upvote. It was differnt this time around. Thanks for not wasting my time. This post really touched me @lloyddavis