All I wanted was to be noticed.
To be appreciated.
Heard.
I just wanted someone to recognise what I could do. Acknowledge it.
Someone to invest in me.
To say that what I do is amazing.
To pay attention when I say something.
To not be invisible.
Somebody to shout my name loudly.
To be backed up and supported.
To think of me kindly and fondly.
To say "Well done", "Good stuff", "That's great".
To not ignore or overlook me.
To not forget me.
Someone to smile when they hear my name.
To be encouraged and inspired by my presence.
To want to hear my words.
Someone other than me.
Not on the Curriculum
Running at speed in his bare feet through wet fields on a dark October evening.
His breath hot and loud. Lungs bursting, blood deafening in his ears.
It was not how the inhabitants of the small farming village imagined the headteacher of their local Boys Comprehensive school to behave.
The chasing horde of local angry parents gave little thought to the tragedy of the situation.
His breath hot and loud. Lungs bursting, blood deafening in his ears.
It was not how the inhabitants of the small farming village imagined the headteacher of their local Boys Comprehensive school to behave.
The chasing horde of local angry parents gave little thought to the tragedy of the situation.
Bing
In November 1941, my grandfather met Bing Crosby.
Yep, the singer and actor Bing Crosby.
As I've heard it told, Mister Crosby walked from the hotel reception across to the bar where my Granddad sat, nursing a scotch and soda.
They spoke for no more than half a minute. Smiling a little and ending with a genuine laugh.
They shook hands and nodded before Bing walked away and out the door into the cold New York night.
That Winter Bing Crosby recorded 'White Christmas' and went from fame to super-stardom.
I never met my Grandfather.
Yep, the singer and actor Bing Crosby.
As I've heard it told, Mister Crosby walked from the hotel reception across to the bar where my Granddad sat, nursing a scotch and soda.
They spoke for no more than half a minute. Smiling a little and ending with a genuine laugh.
They shook hands and nodded before Bing walked away and out the door into the cold New York night.
That Winter Bing Crosby recorded 'White Christmas' and went from fame to super-stardom.
I never met my Grandfather.
*
The letter* was received **and immediately*** had an effect****. Please*****come to the window******and look at all the stars*******.
* written
** in the morning
*** within seconds
**** not 'affect'.
***** it pleaded
***** it continued
* written
** in the morning
*** within seconds
**** not 'affect'.
***** it pleaded
***** it continued
Dr. Adams
Doctor Adams had a certain way with patients. Young or old, it didn't matter.
It wasn't the air of trust he emitted or the sense of calm that followed him as he ambled purposely about his surgery.
It wasn't the decades of experience wrapped inside that aging, silver haired skull of his. Nor was it his mild eyed look of compassion.
No, it was the phrase he employed with every single person, that made him different:
"We're all going to die".
Simple and pure.
No dates, no times, no manner - just that one fact.
Indisputable.
The great leveler.
We're all going to die.
Once heard and accepted, something remarkable happened.
His patients stopped worrying about sickness and began concentrating on well-being.
Being well.
The pharmaceutical companies disliked Doctor Adams.
It wasn't the air of trust he emitted or the sense of calm that followed him as he ambled purposely about his surgery.
It wasn't the decades of experience wrapped inside that aging, silver haired skull of his. Nor was it his mild eyed look of compassion.
No, it was the phrase he employed with every single person, that made him different:
"We're all going to die".
Simple and pure.
No dates, no times, no manner - just that one fact.
Indisputable.
The great leveler.
We're all going to die.
Once heard and accepted, something remarkable happened.
His patients stopped worrying about sickness and began concentrating on well-being.
Being well.
The pharmaceutical companies disliked Doctor Adams.
International Incident.
"Collection"?
I could have sworn he said 'Collection'.
Blank stares between us. Awkward moment.
"Collection"?
That definitely did sound like 'Collection'. But it couldn't be. Why would he ask that when I'm standing right in front of him?
He stopped cooking and locked his eyes onto mine.
My obvious confusion. Not with understanding of the word itself, but of it's meaning.
I had ordered the food - my favourite, Jalfrezi with Peshwari Naan - and stated over the phone that I would pick it up. And here I am.
Of course it's for collection. Why else would I be standing here?
And hence my confusion and his, now increasing, frustration.
"He said 'collection", the lady seated in the waiting area to my left said.
I know. I know.
It had gone on too long and I really needed to answer.
"Yes, that's right - 'Collection'".
His visual contact with the female translator and subsequent eye rolling, confirmed that he felt the issue lay with my insensitivity to his accent and proud heritage.
I bet he'll forget to include the complimentary mint sauce.
I could have sworn he said 'Collection'.
Blank stares between us. Awkward moment.
"Collection"?
That definitely did sound like 'Collection'. But it couldn't be. Why would he ask that when I'm standing right in front of him?
He stopped cooking and locked his eyes onto mine.
My obvious confusion. Not with understanding of the word itself, but of it's meaning.
I had ordered the food - my favourite, Jalfrezi with Peshwari Naan - and stated over the phone that I would pick it up. And here I am.
Of course it's for collection. Why else would I be standing here?
And hence my confusion and his, now increasing, frustration.
"He said 'collection", the lady seated in the waiting area to my left said.
I know. I know.
It had gone on too long and I really needed to answer.
"Yes, that's right - 'Collection'".
His visual contact with the female translator and subsequent eye rolling, confirmed that he felt the issue lay with my insensitivity to his accent and proud heritage.
I bet he'll forget to include the complimentary mint sauce.
Social Media.
Things were never going to end well for Alan in his new job at 'Yahoo' after he offered to 'Google' a query.
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