A cruel lesson about life!
By merfyn_james
17 comments
When I arrived back from Wales yesterday afternoon, I got all my bits and pieces sorted for the laundry and then went and picked up Mrs James from school (she’s a teacher – not a pupil!). We had dinner and then I cleared up as usual. She said I should go to the pub for a couple of drinks to relax after the long drive………did I need to be asked twice? So off I went, planning on coming home at 8.30pm (when Eastenders finishes).
As soon as I got into the pub they asked if I could play pool for them because a lot of people were still on holidays. I reluctantly agreed. I was outside in the garden having a beer and a smoke whilst enjoying the view, and then the barmaid rushed outside and asked me to go across the road with an elderly woman to see her brother because he wasn’t very well (I’m a qualified St John first aid instructor by the way). I found him on the floor by the back door of his bungalow. It turns out that the man wasn’t well at all – he was dead! The paramedic that turned up shortly after said that he’d been dead for some time. I spent about an hour with his sister trying to calm her down, until more family arrived, and then I went back to the pub, to play the worse game of pool in my life.
The man was a regular at the pub, and celebrated his 84th birthday in July this year. He always had a large birthday party, with lots of food and karaoke. He used to be a steward in the merchant navy, and has travelled to most parts of the world. There’s only one blessing I suppose, and that is that he didn’t suffer. RIP Ken!
The lesson being that you never ever know what’s around the corner. Life’s full of twists and turns, darkness and sunshine. So next time you’re driving along a road that is well known to you, and you come to a corner or a bend, just ask yourself this question: “I know this road and that bend/corner very well, but what is the other side of it at this particular moment?”
Sorry if that was a bit deep for a blog on this site, but what happened just made me think a bit more about life, and what we don’t expect.
16 Sep, 2009
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Comments
Yes Merfyn people take life for granted, and even when driving they think they are in an armoured vehicle, which I can assure you they are not, as I use to own a scrap yard with my x hubby, I drive and my grand children will say faster nanny, I then tell them the dangers when they play up in the car. Go to a scrap yard I tell them and kick one of the doors of a car and see what damage it does, then imagine what another car at 40mph would do or even 60mph, and how the road barriers would easily slice straight though the door into you.
16 Sep, 2009
Youre right Merf, who knows whats round the corner, never take things for granted, we none of us know where chance may lead us but we should at least travel with our eyes open!(which is a bit rich after our meeting the other day), but it does just illustrate it doesnt it?
16 Sep, 2009
good blog merfyn, poor man and poor you, didnt get to relax at all,i never take our lanes or roads here for granted, to many fools round the corners :o( life is so precious i agree,live and enjoy each day as it comes i say :o)
16 Sep, 2009
I don't like driving at all Merfyn so am never confident or casual about it but it's not only about what we're doing ourselves at the wheel is it? We never know what's around any corner, not only the ones on the road and the older we get, the more aware of that we become. Having said that we shouldn't spoil what we have by worrying about what might be. Enjoy it while we can......that's why we're all addicted to GoY!!
17 Sep, 2009
The original point isn't about driving on the road - its about The Highway of Life! And you're quite right about enjoying what we have, and to value it! My friend Ken had a long life and travelled many tens of thousands of miles around the world, more than most of us will ever do. He definately enjoyed his 84 years with us.
17 Sep, 2009
Im sorry you had to deal with that situation Merfyn, cant have been very nice at all. Poor chap!
Life has a habit of up rooting any plans you try to make
I now take life as it dishes it out to me. life is what you make it and a few changes here and there are fine with me.
x x x
17 Sep, 2009
The Highway of Life .........
I like it !! :-))
17 Sep, 2009
...the highway of life is filled with the potholes of disaster, but the scenery en route can be breathtaking!
It's good for his poor sister ( is she ok? ) that someone who could remain calm, authoratative and sympathetic was on hand to deal with a very sad and sudden situation. Well done, you.
17 Sep, 2009
That's very good Bscott, is that a saying or did you make it up - lovely.
17 Sep, 2009
Erm...I made it up, Lily. A glass of wine and I'm a philosopher!
;-)
17 Sep, 2009
Lush more like !!! LOL ;- o)))))
17 Sep, 2009
I'm very impressed! ........maybe I'd better have a glass of wine too ...:o))
17 Sep, 2009
Meeeeeeee..........wiiiiinnnneeeeee..........plllleeaasssee!!
17 Sep, 2009
What are you lot like ???? I'm here with a cup of coffee !!! (albeit with a little tot of Baileys in it ! haha)
17 Sep, 2009
Bscott the philosopher I think you might be needed over on Burgundy's blog 'sayings/observations to be contemplated. See if you can do better than me!
17 Sep, 2009
I'm at a loss now Sue - don't know what you mean! Duh!
17 Sep, 2009
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