Once,
when I was about 12 or 13 I bemoaned the fact I had no friends. Around me, my contemporaries seemed to have
scores of them. I felt understandably
left out. My mother sat me down and told me she could count her most valued
friends on one hand. I disbelieved her. I was at that age when you begin doubting
the wisdom of your parents.
As well as the Koh-i-noor diamonds making up my sparkilicious friendship bracelet, there are other friends who also give me succour in more ways than they might realise.
The
first group owed acknowledgement this Friendsgiving are the members of my Writing Group in Telegraph Hill. Without this lot I’d spend a great deal of
time writing far too many words and do a lot less editing. Yet despite the fact
I sometimes come away from our sessions feeling as though I’m hobbling along on
bloody stumps (thanks for that one Rupert), every single session is worth the agony. It’s worth it because they make me want to do
better. As far as I’m concerned that’s how it should be. I don’t need to belong
to a writing group full of friends who tell me what I want to hear. I want them
to tell me the hard truths and this group certainly does that.
Next
up are the ace people at my local Argentine Tango clubs. First off there’s Tango South London. Not only did Claire
Loewe teach me how to eat, breath, walk and talk tango but also aided and
abetted my now insatiable shoeaholic habit. Claire, I’m sending you the bill
for my therapy sessions. Next in line is
Tango 178, where friendships forged
during tandas have spread from the dance floor to other areas of life. Tango, without you, this seriously
introverted being would be a hermit.
The
third group of people are also dancers. They are part of the Lindy Hop scene
and have taught me a dance which makes my heart sing and my brain buzz. Two
people in particular have taken the time to teach me, not only the joy of this
dance, but also the subtle technicalities thereof. Loretta and Onel – I’m hooked. You have given me the confidence to seek out Lindy Hop
wherever I go.
Last,
but by no means least, is the literacy club Ruskin Readers. When I first joined this group I was a dejected
unemployed being. Through my volunteer work with them and the amazing support
of Caroline Knapp I’ve grown in confidence and become a fully-fledged member of
the tutors’ team. Despite the fact Lambeth
Council have ousted our club from our beloved Carnegie Library, we’re standing strong and taking the club towards
its half century anniversary.
To all you lovely people who make up my
circle of friends – Thank you, thank you, thank you & a very happy
Friendsgiving to you all!
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. It's much appreciated as is the time you take to write a comment.