Ghosts

Inspired to take a walk on this fine sunny autumn day, with all good intentions I walk the canal toe path, to the chrysalis of my beginnings in langley, deeply inhaling the air of life, exhaling the stresses of working life, seeking my better and higher self, I used to walk this path in my youth,to visit friends or to be a marine cadet at T.S. Lion. Revisiting my memories was not my intention, we walk with our memories throughout our lifespan, awaiting in mind to torture or celebrate in heart.  Realising it is best to make good memories in the present, so my memories of now, will not become a heavy burden in the future.

The autumn sun shines brightly magnifying the colours of autumn leaves, the landscape has changed around here, there are now businesses and homes along the canal, where once were fields 

The peace and beautiful serenity of nature brings vibrant energy to my soul, in stark contrast to the industrial town that surrounds it, man and mother nature reside together happily in this place, we the human race are mother natures children, she gave birth to us all, we are her spoiled children as we take  from her, and pollute our mothers love.

Walking up the path to the bridge the Deseronto Wharf, where I once worked at Bryce Whites Timber Yard, has now gone but the office building has survived time, Lindley Thompsons is now a business park, walking over the railway bridge, I stand with my memories, back in time looking at the place I  once called home.

Perhaps this is the purpose of my journey today, to revisit my past and make peace with my memories, I see my nan looking out of the window, waiting for me to come home for lunch, The Gulley where we once played now flattened, swings and roundabouts now replace rusty old cars, the giants hill, the three wise old apple trees. Old Hobi the tramp who slept in Grandads pigsty, old nelson the chicken who we loved and ate one Sunday, my Grandad owned the gulley my Dad, family, and friends, built our bungalow, a great place to grow up and I feel blessed to have grown here. The Chesntuts pub across the road the social hub of our community, where we drank to celebrate our success or maudlin in our sorrows, my classroom from boy to man, as I walk down St Marys Road, I see myself as a schoolboy walking with mum for my first day at Langley Marish School.

The Almshouses built in 1649 where my dad did maintenance, a ceiling collapsed revealing the original mud and horse hair ceiling, and a rusty 17th century 9 inch nail, St Marys Church so many memories of family and friends weddings, christenings, and funerals.

I visit my nan and grandads grave, telling them of my life and wishing they were still with us, I would love to know what they think of me now, so many emotions and memories swirling within me, that I did not realise I could feel and see all this at once, I stop by The Chestnuts for a drink, no one did I know or recognise for we are all old now, realising now that time has passed and I am now a stranger, in the place I once called home. Night has nearly fallen as I walk the canal toe path, to the place I now call home, the love of spirit embraces me reminding me, that ghosts are memories, spirit is eternal, our home is with God, and in time all things change in our world.

THANKYOU FOR THE LESSONS