First, I ask that we spare a thought and a prayer today for Janice Jagger on the anniversary of her infant called Rachel. Rachel only lived a very short time after her birth and died on September 29th, 1967. However distant the event is on the calendar, the sadness and hurt of such an event remains forever etched on a mother’s heart. We all feel for you today, Janice. God bless you, Janice, and your husband, Colin, and your extended family. May little Rachel rest in peace, knowing that she was deeply loved and will never be forgotten by you.
On a happier note, three of my Facebook friends celebrate their birthday today. First to be congratulated is Julia Simpson who lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The next birthday celebrant is Marina Cree who lives in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and finally, we wish a happy birthday to Sheila Lemon who lives in the south of England. Enjoy your special day, ladies, and thank you for being my Facebook friend.
My song today is, ‘As Tears Go By’. This song was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Marianne Faithful recorded and released it as a single in the United Kingdom in 1964. Her song peaked at Number 9 on both the ‘UK and Irish Singles Charts’. Later, the Rolling Stones recorded their own version, which was included on their American album ‘December’s Children (And Everybody’s), which reached Number 6 in the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ singles chart. ‘As Tears Go By’ was one of the first original compositions by Jagger and Richards.
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While I like this song, I always found it a very sad record to listen to. It reminds me too much of the saddest two-year period of my life after my first marriage ended in separation, followed by an acrimonious divorce. When my first marriage ended, my ex-wife (who was an infant teacher at the same school where our two sons were taught) prevented me from seeing them or having a contact of any description with them for two years, despite the domestic court having granted me weekly access with my young sons who were then aged 7 years and 5 years old.
During this sad period, all the birthday and Christmas cards and presents I sent to the children would be ‘returned to sender’ and any phone calls I made, or letters sent were ‘blocked’ by the children’s mother. I would sometimes go up and stand at the wall of their playground during their early morning break time, hoping to get a glance at them as they played. Once the children’s mother realised what I was doing, she stopped them playing in the playground during their morning, noon, and afternoon break times.
For over two years, I spent a considerable amount of money that could have been better used than on solicitor’s fees, as I tried to persuade the children’s mother to comply with the court’s access order. However, despite the risk of having a prison sentence that had been attached to the 'access order' imposed, if she defaulted, by failing to facilitate my access, it made no difference. My only response available to break the deadlock would have involved me petitioning the Court to implement its default sentence, but there was no way that I would initiate any process which committed the children’s mother to prison.
For the two years I had no contact with my two children, not one night went by when I did not cry myself to sleep. It is that sad time in my life that this song (that I will never sing again) reminds me of.
Love and peace Bill xxx