Going to watch a game of cricket yesterday I remembered that it was 43 years ago that I watched a match for the first time, and met Kevin’s family. It was daunting to meet so many new people, which I marvel at I just did it, as I must have been so nervous.
I’d never had any previous exposure to the game, but was very quickly encouraged to learn to love it as Marion, Kevin’s step mum, told me ‘cricket is his life’.
I learnt to score with coloured pens, and that got me out of making ‘tea’.
I still regularly enjoy watching cricket on tv and have travelled to many grounds to watch it ( probably more than Kevin).
We enjoy Essex Cricket membership and try to get to as many matches as possible.
But remembering days gone by didn’t stop there….
55 years ago to the day we moved from Scotland, to Maryland in London.
I made my first holy communion in the morning, enjoyed tea with extended family, then caught the overnight sleeper to begin our new life. It must have been daunting for both our parents who were very close to their families, both had 3 siblings.
I never really saw my parents as risk takers, but on reflection this decision, must have been huge.
Elaine was 3 and I was almost 8, and it must have been daunting for us, new home, schools and a new accent-but I thank my parents for how they managed the process and provided stability and opportunities that may have not been open to us if we had remained in Edinburgh or relocated to elsewhere in Scotland.
More than half a century living in England, although I still count myself as Scottish Italian. interesting how we can be shaped by decisions made for us, by opportunities that arise and what we see all around us.
I’ve been blessed with family and friends and as we are on the cusp of becoming grandparents again, I hope that our grandchildren can develop strong bonds with us and each other.
My little life 