From the First Fan: Darkness, Signposts and an Eclipse

 

 

    In a recent conversation with a "first fan" (might even have been the first, first fan) they were talking about the darkness that has engulfed their life. Not the events, but the feeling that the events have left upon them.

    The same day, I received word from an "ally" who had received photographs of the children he has not seen in six years. The photographs were taken just prior to the last time that he saw his children, but not previously seen by him before. The were supplied by a "first fan" of his, an unknown person who had heard their story, and by chance, made an inquiry and found the photos. Found that which was not known to my "ally".

    With my "first fan" we were talking about darkness not being a degree of light, and they indicated that it was a feeling of insomnia and oppression. For me, it's a feeling of weight, a burden that is carried forward every single day.

    The first fan and I were talking and I began to think about signposts in my life, moments, where if I had gone one way instead of the other, I might now be where I am today. Signposts that you could backtrack to. I had originally thought there were but three (at most) of these moments in my life, and it turns out, that I was a moment for the first fan. That make the count four.

    The ally who received the photographs of this children, from an unknown ally, counts those photographs as signpost for him, he thinks about six or seven in total in his life.

    Seven moments spread over the course of 50 or more years that have led me to exactly where I am today. I could not have arrived here without all that alignment occurring at the exact moments that they did.

    In the United State today was a solar eclipse, an astronomical event that was calculated by the ancient Greeks thousands of years ago. Thousands of years of calculations down to a three minute event.

    A three minute event of darkness in the making...since the beginning of time.

    A signpost of darkness.

    Treat your signposts with respect. I have not.  

You Just Never Know

 

  I had a friend pass away late last year. He was someone who worked tirelessly in the community, and he certainly helped me. I joined his major project when I was but 20 years old and stayed with him for 20 years. He was a good man. He was my friend.

  The last time I saw him we had lunch while I was in Australia. We talked and he mentioned someone who was in his major project. I had looked for that person many times previously without success, and since his passing, had looked at least three times. Without success. 

  Three weeks ago I looked again and found them. I was duty bound to deliver the news once I confirmed that it was the person whom I knew. I'd hate to be delivering a death notice to the wrong person. We've talked and they have commented on my writing. 

  You just never know where the first fans are hiding. 

  

It Is Not That I Haven't Written...

 

     It is not that I haven't written, it is that I haven't written what I have written about. 

     In the professional world, I recently had a move from a local position to a state position. I am still working through the nuances of working from home for the state position, whilst maintaining contact with my local position, which I am scheduled to return to after this secondment. 

    The battle of working for two "masters" at this time is a balance of diplomacy for both. 

    It has also meant that my coworkers at home are now fury four legged companions who casually report for work at the same time I do, drape themselves wherever they feel appropriate, and take a nap. 

    Australian Fathers Day is today, or rather was yesterday in Australia. I have not heard from my own daughters and probably never will.

    And that...is something not worth blogging about. 

My Wifes Ex Husband...In A Podcast

    

 

 

 

 

    On November 1, 2022,  Chicken Soup for the Soul  released their book in their series, My Wonderful Wacky Family. Contained within the story is my story of Joes, My Wifes Ex Husband. Joes story would later be turned into the Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast.

    I present to you, a rerun of the podcast, of My Wifes Ex Husband, this Fathers Day weekend. 

   My Wifes Ex Husband In a Podcast.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Chickybabe

 

 

 

    Happy birthday Chickybabe.

    When the darkness settles on the edge of town, and the invisible lamplighters go to work, I think of you.

    I think of you in the dark and in the light.

    My hope is that one day, you will step out of your own darkness into the light of illumination.

    Happy birthday, Chickybabe. 

 

I Do Not Like Cats - In A Podcast

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul have released, Lessons Learned From My Cat. It includes my story of how a cat-detesting  guy from Australia ended up with two feline companions while living in the United States of America.

And now it's on a podcast. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul with Amy Newmark: When the Cat Is Meant to Be on Apple Podcasts

I Do Not Like Cats

 

On February 14, 2023,  Chicken Soup for the Soul will release the next book in their series, Lessons Learned From My Cat. It includes my story of how a cat-detesting  guy from Australia ended up with two feline companions while living in the United States of America. 

    I Do Not Like Cats  was written during the pandemic while I was the carer for my wife's mother. On the day that I put the final touches on it, Jasper (kitty cat) sat in my lap one last time. Days later, his job caring for my mother in law was done, and shortly thereafter, he succumbed to a known medical condition.

    As for #Jacob...well, he still lives with me, still has the same routine, but now has the run of the entire house. 

    Which is just as well, cause I Do Not Like Cats.