Thought for today:
"Had I the gift of a 'Field of Dreams', I would house within it everyone who I'd ever loved and who'd significantly influenced my life and behaviour for the better.
In its corners would stand the four most meaningful places I have ever known; my most influential places of geographical significance. These are the places that are as much a part of me today, my thoughts, my actions and my hopes as they were then. They would include Portlaw in County Waterford, Ireland (the place of my birth): Windy Bank Estate in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, England (the council estate where my formative years as a child, teenager and young adult were spent): Toronto in Canada (where I met my first love and discovered the sheer exhilaration that can only be found in adventure, daring and freedom), and finally Howarth in West Yorkshire (where I found my last love in my beautiful wife, lover and soul mate, Sheila, and where lies the ashes of Lady our Rough Collie and Mum Elizabeth). Part of my ashes will also be placed there when my time comes.
Also in Haworth, would be the precise location where my Field of Dreams would dwell. It would be within our allotment that Sheila and I have worked side-by-side over the past years, This is where my 'Field of Dreams' took root and was eventually established. Having a terminal blood cancer and no effective immune system renders assemblies of people in more than two or three at a time dangerous in my presence. Our allotment, therefore, has become my haven and refuge, immersed in surrounding sounds and smells of birds, butterflies, flowers, vegetables and nature instead of possibly infectious humans. It is in our allotment that for the past two years, in particular, I have done my most thinking, remembering and formulation of my future aspirations. This is the one place, along with my home and my church where life assumes a perspective and clarity of purpose that provides a sense of security and contentment that cannot be rivalled; especially as my wife Sheila is everpresent in all three places.
Enclosed also within my 'Field of Dreams' would be my 'Re-experience Transporter'; a device that has recorded for posterity every happy thing I ever did or had done to me since my birth 75 years ago.
There would also be a section of my 'Field of Dreams' reserved to remind me of the best lessons I ever learned and the worst mistakes I ever made, the kindest things I ever did and the unintentionally cruellest. As the greatest sin of my life has probably been one of 'Pride', I need to be constantly reminded of the faults I have and the mistakes I've made, along with my better characteristics and good works.
Had I such a field to fill, it would naturally have within it my 'Treasure Box' that would contain all the feelings, beliefs and hopes, and their associated experiences, people and places attached to them that added to my constant sense of security, confidence, well-being and happiness. I strongly feel that these contrasts in one's behaviour are necessary to remind one that there is 'weakness' and 'strength', along with both 'good' and 'bad' in everyone.
All around my 'Field of Dreams' would stand my family; all of the Fordes and Fannings extending back to the Irish Potato Famine. My family would form a protective shield around me from cradle to grave and provide me with a history that shaped and reinforced my identity as an individual of worth. This family bond would also provide a love and measure of hope so strong that no amount of personal disappointment could ever weaken.
At the very heart of my 'Field of Dreams' would be a small dance area with a floral floor. This sacred place would be exclusively for having my last dance with my wife, lover and soulmate, Sheila when the time comes."
Love and peace Bill xxx
"Had I the gift of a 'Field of Dreams', I would house within it everyone who I'd ever loved and who'd significantly influenced my life and behaviour for the better.
In its corners would stand the four most meaningful places I have ever known; my most influential places of geographical significance. These are the places that are as much a part of me today, my thoughts, my actions and my hopes as they were then. They would include Portlaw in County Waterford, Ireland (the place of my birth): Windy Bank Estate in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, England (the council estate where my formative years as a child, teenager and young adult were spent): Toronto in Canada (where I met my first love and discovered the sheer exhilaration that can only be found in adventure, daring and freedom), and finally Howarth in West Yorkshire (where I found my last love in my beautiful wife, lover and soul mate, Sheila, and where lies the ashes of Lady our Rough Collie and Mum Elizabeth). Part of my ashes will also be placed there when my time comes.
Also in Haworth, would be the precise location where my Field of Dreams would dwell. It would be within our allotment that Sheila and I have worked side-by-side over the past years, This is where my 'Field of Dreams' took root and was eventually established. Having a terminal blood cancer and no effective immune system renders assemblies of people in more than two or three at a time dangerous in my presence. Our allotment, therefore, has become my haven and refuge, immersed in surrounding sounds and smells of birds, butterflies, flowers, vegetables and nature instead of possibly infectious humans. It is in our allotment that for the past two years, in particular, I have done my most thinking, remembering and formulation of my future aspirations. This is the one place, along with my home and my church where life assumes a perspective and clarity of purpose that provides a sense of security and contentment that cannot be rivalled; especially as my wife Sheila is everpresent in all three places.
Enclosed also within my 'Field of Dreams' would be my 'Re-experience Transporter'; a device that has recorded for posterity every happy thing I ever did or had done to me since my birth 75 years ago.
There would also be a section of my 'Field of Dreams' reserved to remind me of the best lessons I ever learned and the worst mistakes I ever made, the kindest things I ever did and the unintentionally cruellest. As the greatest sin of my life has probably been one of 'Pride', I need to be constantly reminded of the faults I have and the mistakes I've made, along with my better characteristics and good works.
Had I such a field to fill, it would naturally have within it my 'Treasure Box' that would contain all the feelings, beliefs and hopes, and their associated experiences, people and places attached to them that added to my constant sense of security, confidence, well-being and happiness. I strongly feel that these contrasts in one's behaviour are necessary to remind one that there is 'weakness' and 'strength', along with both 'good' and 'bad' in everyone.
All around my 'Field of Dreams' would stand my family; all of the Fordes and Fannings extending back to the Irish Potato Famine. My family would form a protective shield around me from cradle to grave and provide me with a history that shaped and reinforced my identity as an individual of worth. This family bond would also provide a love and measure of hope so strong that no amount of personal disappointment could ever weaken.
At the very heart of my 'Field of Dreams' would be a small dance area with a floral floor. This sacred place would be exclusively for having my last dance with my wife, lover and soulmate, Sheila when the time comes."
Love and peace Bill xxx
