Ann when I was young I had a job at lunchtime cooking for Andre Duetch
the publisher, in the evening I dashed on the train to Mc Kreddies club where
I cooked most evenings each week and got the last train home. Oh in the morning 3
times a week I cleaned a house not far from my flat in W.11.
I wanted to have my own restaurant one day…and so I did.
But not every one is as strong as I …or you.
Let us not judge people…it is such an easy thing to do.
Probably guilty myself of looking at people and assuming.
Most people need help at some time in their life.
Some ask…some are too proud.
Life is turbulent…is it not.
Life indeed is turbulent, I have always worked hard to get what I wanted including all my qualifications gained by attending college in the evenings after work.
Yes I have ‘judged’ the people on the notorious estate I once had the misfortune to have on my ‘round’. My judgement is based on what I experienced there, (dirty nappies, televisions and worse thrown from balconies), attacks by the dogs of choice at the moment, Dobermans and Alsations kept by druggies. Young single mum’s who boasted that they have never worked and had “the little bastards” to get a flat and money. Most people I talked to there told me I was a ‘mug’ to work so hard when I too could have a giro delivered to me at home !
I have lived side by side to people who run gangs…People like the Krays.
I have many bad experiences involving dealing and I have been uninvolved,
innocent and totally against the dealers and using.
But the story is huge and although the characters were not enchanting they
came from poor and rich backgrounds …and I do not know if we can judge,
Or if we should.
No one is ever a mug to work!
I hope that I never have to stop it keeps your spirits higher.
Oh well I might have been interested to ask what you do which takes
you to functions…but you are going.
I often take care of celebrations.
Wonderful to see people happy.
A bineot Mr Turpin…
Well I came from a poor background and life was hard indeed, BUT my parents worked all hours just to put food on the table and to pay the rent. They never expected or indeed asked for any hand outs, many a time come rent day there just wasn’t enough money so we ‘hid’ from the rent man. My mum went hungry to give us kids food, she also took in washing and made our clothes. Thanks to them I know the ‘value of money’ and have never expected anyone to bail me out. How can some people complain about ‘the system’ whilst milking it all they can ? Maybe try asking them to give up booze, ciggies, their big colur tv’s and go out in the real world and work for what they want instead of being handed everything on a plate !
I think that when we were young people did not complain so much and their expectations
were lower.
Now everyone expects to have almost all they desire…
I have watched UK tv programmes presenting the cases of
the poor who can not manage and yet the subjects in question…females
have well styled hair and they appear to be manicured and well groomed.
children sitting around by the dressed tree and gifts beneath it.
What we do not see is what is really lacking.
The street sleepers and the disaster which is going on with cut backs
in areas where there should not be cut backs.
I am just listening to the Today programme and Prince Harry is a guest editor.
From what people are saying about what he is doing he is making a huge difference to other people’s lives.
Yes he is priveleged, but idle certainly not.
Well yes Jane I am sure that his heart and his efforts are in the right place.
But if you were so wealthy…so very wealthy would you not find a way to
help those who have nothing
Visits around the world to fine dinner tables and receiving bouquets of flowers
could be exchanged for arranging to meet the people on the streets and making
a promise of help: a meal every day and a chance to live a normal life with a bed
and washing facilities.
Maybe I am expecting too much.
Maybe I think differently.
It’s just not that simple Barbara. The very wealthy do not have oodles of cash stuffed in their mattresses, most of their wealth is asset based and the only way to release that is to sell up. The likes of Bill Gates do donate tens of millions every year but should we expect the top one percent to just give their money away? I would rather see everyone pay more tax so that there wasn’t a need for food banks or people lying on stretchers in hospital corridors however at the same time I think we should all take personal responsibility for what’s happening around us. Want has replaced need.
Consumerism is now God.
People asked us what presents we were giving for Christmas, but we don’t do that now.
If we need something and we can afford it we buy it then.
We are trying to get rif of stuff, not amass more.
Exactly the same here Jane.
I have certainly learnt that loving and caring is
not about wrapping up senseless gifts in pretty
paper.
It is about being with the people you care about and sharing
hours of laughter, conversation with good food and wine.
And from those who can not be with you a call or a card…or
even an e mail to say “hello”.
Timothy you have got it…yes “want has replaced need”
I can see very clearly fine examples of the art of balancing
this now that I live in Rural France.
My close French friends show true examples of this. First
they purchase all that is really necessary for a contented life;
mutual insurance, a small house with warmth, regularly consumed
simple meals, a car and friends.
Christmas gifts were woollen scarves hand knitted in spare
moments in the evening or some flowers or plants from their
allotment.
A holiday would usually be a visit to an elderly family member
who lives in another region or abroad. A day or so in a modest
chamber d hote either side of the journey would add to the pleasure
of the excursion.
Being happy does not equate to extravagance in rural france.
And having Noble titles as chateau owner and wine producer
does not always mean wealth…but it portrays a way of life.
A wonderful way of life.