Well it certainly appears that the long days of sunshine, BBQ’s out the back and shorts are behind us. At least in my neck of the woods. I’ve noticed that the beanies and scarves are out and that a few of my golf partners have put on long pants.
You know you would think I had a plan when I sit down to write these. But No.. I just start and finish when I’ve had enough. There was a couple of things I wanted to say. Anzac Day has been and gone. A day full of hope, praise and promises to our current and ex Serving Members. Mostly forgotten by the 27th. My long suffering bride and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary a couple of days later, which helped soften the deflation of the Post Anzac celebrations. 28 years she has put up with me. I salute her and appreciate her being around me every day. With my deterioration with Parkinson’s, I fully appreciate her efforts to keep me on Mother Earth. Some days you just want to stay in Bed..
You know, I am always writing negative stuff. Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking to a group of people who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons. I am used to standing in front of people telling them how to get out of burning buildings, run away from an Active Shooter or similar, but this one filled me a kind of fear. Am I unusual in the way I have dealt with the condition and would what I say be what the Group wanted to hear. I themed the whole 15 minutes on 007 – James Bond, Shaken not Stirred. 15 minutes and I was sh1tting myself. Anyway, the Seminar went for 2 hours and I was the last one up. First off, I had prepared a little slide show of my life and my considered achievements since being diagnosed. Jaynet Photos and this blog being one of them. Then I went into the way I deal with the condition, working, driving, playing sport and trying to be a dad and husband.
As the seminar progressed, the Key Note speaker and Neurological Nurse specialising in Parkys and the head of Parkinsons Victoria had a slide show showing symptoms, treatments, drugs to assist etc. I had to take notes, there was me on the screen. My wife Adelle was with me and every symptom, dot point etc was what I dealt with on a regular basis. Did I have to change my presentation because of it. No. I was shown to be a normal person with Parkinsons. My confidence levels grew and I felt empowered to present to the group my history and where I am today.
People were inquiring about holidays. I told them that all the photos they were looking at from around Australia and the UK were since I had been diagnosed. They inquired about Sport. I had to remind them that we will never be the same but that my handicap in golf had come from 21 to 14 in the last 15 months. An achievement for any golfer. Set your mind to it and with a bit of work it may come to fruition or very close to.
It reminded me of the tasks given to me during my second time in the Navy. Being one of the older members of my Peers, I was generally tasked with mentoring the new lads into the ways of a Disciplined workforce that is the Military. Despite having to do the same training as them to gain promotion, I accepted the challenge with pleasure. In some instances it worked both ways, because a number assisted me in the new ways of the Navy. One particular sailor was given to me as a personal project. He was threatened with discharge if he did not correct his insubordinate ways and knuckle down. I was given 6 months. In that time we were deployed throughout Asia. I assisted him in completing his requirements for promotion, but more importantly a little of me rubbed off on him as he “Mentored” other sailors to be better at what they did. Bzzz-Ah went on to complete 12 years I think before he left the Service to spend more time with his young family. A decision I of course tried to talk him out of, but nevertheless supported as it was for the right reasons.
Sadly, today the young family don’t talk to me and mine. They believe I was trying to poison their relationship, but they have found God, not just another ‘P’ Rate. Many of our colleagues are disappointed for us, as they know what a special relationship Cedric and I had. Still, I continue to give fatherly advice to anyone that will listen. I’m not always right, or what they want to hear but I speak what I believe is right. As I always say to friends, I am not religious, but I still live by the adage, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Would you like someone to do that to your Mum or yourself.
Just to finish up, I am stuck on YouTube at the moment. The views from Space from the 4K Space Station, and I found a channel with Warships featured in rough seas. God I miss being at sea. The mateship, the trips, the loneliness or the solitude of being at sea is an experience only Mariners can explain, but one I miss every day.
Still there is Golf.
Goodnight Trendsetters, and go Roosters
Brigham Young
Youngy's Yak 