I awoke this morning at 7.44am. I don't think I've ever felt as old and knackered. All I really wanted to do was stay in bed and sleep for another couple of hours. At the age of 63 I am starting to feel my age, esepcially when I have to do physically exerting tasks. Yesterday, I had a PA system to break down and unload in Cricklewood and bring back to the studio and I had to do this without assistance. Some of the speakers are pretty heavy and had to be lugged from the staging area to the car park. Years of football have taken their toll on my knees and ankles and this morning I could really feel it. I love my job, running a business, etc. However sometimes reality forces you to admit that maybe you need a little help. Ten years ago, the lugging would not have really been a problem. I didn't take someone with me, as the festival was a community activity and I was doing my best to keep the costs down. I should've added £50 to the bill though, to bring someone with me. I was suffering.
Anyway, much as it was the last thing I wanted to do, I forced myself out of bed, into the shower, had a quick cuppa and did a painful stroll (knees and aankle) to the Sacred Heart for 8.30am mass. If you are not familiar with my habits, I am what you might call a rather bad Roman Catholic. I am a sinner (and sometime a bit too proud of it). But I do believe in keeping the boss upstairs happy. Some days, it can be difficult to drag myself out of bed to mass. Today was one of them. The church is being refurbished, so mass was in the hall. I found myself sitting by the exit, which looks out on the bus stop and Mill Hill wines. No disprespect to Fr Chinedu, who says a lovely mass, but I found my mind wandering. The door was open for ventilation. I found myself observing the tree outside Mill Hill Wines. It is a glorious morning and the Sun was shining, There was still a chill in the air. I saw a crow land on the top of the tree. He let out a loud 'caw' and another crow joined him. I felt a twang of jealousy. They clearly were enjoying the sunshine, without a care in the world. For them, the changing season will bring challenges. Winter will bring dark cold times, for them it can't be much fun. We have electricity, central heating and can put a coat on. The crows have same feathers in winter and summer. But they clearly were keen to enjoy themselves today. They have got the right attitude, enjoy the last days of good weather.
My mind then turned to breakfast. Should I go to see my mate Gerard, the butcher on Daws Lane and get some bacon and sausages for a fry up. This would be a wonderful way of lifting my maliase and following the example of the crows, in enjoying life, whilst I can. Then I thought "what about Clare". My missus does not eat meat. I could make her a fried egg, but... I then thought "I can go to Yummies and get some onion bagels, some cream cheese and some nice dry smoked salmon and we can all be happy". I looked at the crow and his mate, still up the tree. Crows are social animals and like to hang out together in a gang called a murder. Even crows need company and companionship.
So when mass finished, off I went to Yummies, purchased our breakfast and started to walk down Mill Hill Broadway, back home. My knee and ankle pain had slightly dissapated. The morning was glorious. As I walked past Iceland, there were huge trolleys blocking most of the street, full of rubbish. As I went around them, a small boy, I'd guess 4 or 5 hurtled around the corner, nearly crashing into me on a scooter. He turned around and sped off towards his mum who was by Smiths. He clearly was getting a real buzz out of hurtling up and down the Broadway and in truth I was a bit jealous that I seldom get such a bizz from such simple things. We grow up and we think about things far too much.
I got home, made breakfast for Clare and my son and I realised how fortunate I was to have forced myself out of bed this morning. It really was hard, but it was one of those moments when I just found the sheer joy of living to be exhilarating. The 40 odd minutes a week I spend at mass, may well be the only time I have to be truly reflective and appreciative of this amazing world we live in.
The Sun is shining today, it may be a while before we get such a glorious weekend day again. Do yourself a favour and make the most of it.
I'll end with a little ditty I wrote about Sundays. I love the footage in this of Old Mill Hill!
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