Tuesday, June 05, 2018

WORDS FOR WEDNESDAY





This meme was started by Delores a long time ago.  Computer issues led her to bow out for a while.  The meme was too much fun to let go, and now “Words for Wednesday” is provided by a number of people,  and has become a movable feast. 

Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Stir the grey matter into action.

Each week we are given a choice of prompts, which can be words, phrases, music or an image.   What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...  We can use some, or all of the prompts.

This month...the month of June, is my turn to nudge you all into action.

Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog. 

Those of us who participate would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants.

If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and all others who partake in the fun and games can come along and applaud.

As advised above, this month’s prompts will be supplied by me, Lee. 

I’ve used this week’s words, the first for the month of June, for a personal purpose; one dear to my heart...in tribute to my late brother, Graham.   

The reason I have done so is I had intentions, today, of writing a post about Graham...which is something I usually do at this time of each year...

This week’s “Words for Wednesday” are the six words listed below:-



Comedy

Shadows

Loss

Rainbow

Emotional

Heart

OR

Contradictions

Sensitive

Legendary

Engage

Forever

Never-ending



My childhood years, shared with my late older brother, Graham, were frequently filled with moments of COMEDY, many of which were of his creation.  

Beyond our control, too often those years were also darkened by drama. 

That is Life.  Life is not always a bowl of cherries.  Life at times resembles the case of apples we’ve heard about...it sometimes unfairly tosses a bad one, or more, our way.

For one to truly ENGAGE in Life, one has to somehow learn to cope with, and overcome its varied challenging shades

One moment Life is aglow with more colours than a RAINBOW, and then, with little or no warning it becomes engulfed by dark SHADOWS, and heavy burdens, both of which seem to be NEVER-ENDING; never diminishing.

Sadly, twenty years ago today....6th June, 1998... my brother, Graham passed away at the age of 56.    

Born Rockhampton, Queensland...28th February, 1942.    
Died, Brisbane, Queensland.....6th June, 1998

His passing is a LOSS that will remain with me FOREVER and a day.

In other words, as long as I am alive, the memories I cherish...the good and the bad; the happy and the sad...will have a prominent, special place in my HEART - a permanent reservation.

A straight-shooter, one who didn’t suffer fools, Graham could, at times - oft times - come across as a gruff soul, but he had a SENSITIVE, EMOTIONAL side, too; one to which not many people were privy.  

He was a man of CONTRADICTIONS.

Very few knew the deeper, sentimental side of his character; his softer side.  I was one of the fortunate few. 

It is my belief, only two other people witnessed the "real Graham”. They were our mother and our grandmother - two women for whom he cared dearly. 

From most others he hid the compassionate, tenderhearted side of himself.  

Rarely did he lift the curtain, or open the door to allow, or welcome others in - to know and understand his true self. 

I believe he thought, if he did so, it would show weakness in character.  I understand/understood his thinking.

Throughout our childhood we faced some tough times.  We witnessed events no child should ever have to deal with, or observe. 

As time went by my brother felt it was his place to step up, and be the “man of the house”.  No child should feel they have to take on such responsibility.  It wasn’t asked of him, but he believed it was the correct thing for him to do.

An avid reader, some books, newspaper articles, the written word in its many guises, impacted him fervently.  

His brain was not unlike a sponge, absorbing much.  His knowledge was wide and varied.

Graham had an ingrained love of music, of all genres. – a catholic taste, one which encompassed classical through to modern.  

Over certain melodies and lyrics Graham became misty-eyed.  In particular, he loved country music...good country music.

On Monday night, 21st November, 1994, he and I were enthralled members of the audience watching the LEGENDARY John Denver in concert, as he performed live at Townsville’s Entertainment Centre. 

When Denver sang “Annie’s Song”, one of Graham’s favourite songs, both he and I, unashamedly, had tear-filled eyes.   John Denver was magnificent...his voice pure, strong and clear filled the auditorium...and our hearts.

After the concert Graham and I were fortunate, in that we had the unexpected opportunity to meet and talk with John Denver.  

I was living and working in Townsville, North Queensland, at the time.  Graham lived in Mackay, a city a couple of hours' drive south of Townsville.  Having taken the Monday and Tuesday off work, he drove north to stay with me so we could attend the concert together. 

When we arrived home, still feeling the thrill of the evening we'd experienced, we sat in my kitchen for a few hours, sipping on drinks, talking and listening to music - country, of course...including my collection of John Denver cassettes....of course.   We were feeling as high as the Rocky Mountain.

The concert; the highlight of meeting Denver, up close and personal; the hours Graham and I spent talking and laughing, perched on two kitchen stools, is an evening I will never forget.   Those hours shared remain precious, cherished, unforgettable hours. 

There were times he and I fought like cat and dog, as siblings sometimes - often - do.   

There were even times I didn’t like Graham; but I always loved him.

Through the years Graham often said to me: “When I die, I want you to play “Annie’s Song”...no hymns....just “Annie’s Song.”    

He made me promise I would fulfill his wish.

 I did what he asked of me...



 (The photos and video below are not part of the "Words for Wednesday" prompts)
 
Bernice, (photo top left) remained a loyal, platonic friend of Graham's since their teenage years in Gympie.  Bottom left is Graham and me with his first-born son.  The photo on the bottom right was taken by Bernice on 5th May, 1998...one month and one day before Graham passed away.

 Below...."Annie's Song"........


37 comments:

  1. She sorely mourned the loss of her beloved cat, Comedy. He had been such a riot with his antics when he was a kitten and all through his life. His name proved to be the perfect description for him over the years. Her heart was heavy and she became emotional at the slightest difficulty even now as she walked along the garden path remembering how he had followed her every day. It was a cold and rainy day and the clouds made shadows over the ground. All of a sudden a rainbow appeared and she knew that Comedy was looking down on her and wishing her a peaceful recovery from his loss.

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    1. Oh! Thank you, Linda. You certainly were quick off the mark. :)

      You used the words well. At the same time, both sad and uplifting.

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    2. Linda Starr: I am a tad misty-eyed.

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    3. Linda Starr, My pussy cat has just come in from the rain and is sitting on my lap looking up into my face saying please dry me.

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    4. Awww! A precious story.

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  2. Oh, Lee, what a wonderful tribute to your brother.
    I loved John Denver too.
    Hugs

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  3. An EMOTIONAL COMEDY plays on the SHADOWS of your HEART to have loved and LOSS a brother. I too have a SENSITIVE brother like a fine lemon pie with a hard crust for whom I have NEVER-ENDING love. However his personality is a RAINBOW of fine CONTRADICTION therefore there are times I am ENGAGED to not like him one little bit. His LEGENDARY saying "I will put a hole in you big enough to throw a dog through" will FOREVER a story told about him.
    Well I tried. Peace

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    Replies
    1. G'day, Miss Kitty...you did good. Big brothers can sometimes, oft times, be a pain in the neck...but we love them still through all the ups and downs.

      Thanks for participating. :)

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    2. Lady DiTn: It seems that brothers the world over are cut from the same cloth.

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    3. Lady Di Tn. You had quite an unusual brother, but so loving.

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    4. That's quite a saying, although i am sure he always meant it in fun.

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  4. Great word choices this month....a lovely story.....one of my favourite songs.....a triple header.

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    1. Hi Delores....I'm looking forward to your use of the words. With you being the wordsmith you are, I know it is going to be good. Thanks for coming by.:)

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  5. A truly lovely tribute to your brother.

    The legendary Shakespeare said it best, as he said so many things. 'All the world's a stage', and we are merely players.
    Players with many roles. Some of those roles are filled with contradictions. There are no forevers. Today a comedy. Tomorrow a tragedy which engages our heart and soul.

    'Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
    That struts and frets his hour on the stage
    And is then heard no more.'


    The sensitive and emotional souls among us grieve. We yearn to see and perhaps visit that Rainbow Bridge . Forever gone, forever loved, forever missed.

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful, EC...touching and heartfelt. :)

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  6. LEE. Absolutely lovely, Tears.

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  7. Quite a challenge with those words Lee, and you filled that challenge well with your story of Graham. I had to listen to a bit of Annie's Song, since I couldn't remember it at all.

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    1. Hi River...Wow! With your vast knowledge and appreciation of music I felt sure you would have known "Annie's Song". That song and Denver go together like cheese on crackers. :)

      He wrote it as an ode to his then wife. It went to No. 1 spot both in the US and the UK; also in Canada and Ireland.

      I love the song, too...it means a lot to me.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  8. My brain is functioning well today and my challenge to your first set of words has been posted on my blog, thank you . Anticipating your call.

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    1. Thank you, Vest....I've paid you a visit...and I thank you for your uplifting use of the words...wonderful. :)

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  9. A lovely tribute to your brother. The words won't come easy today.
    John Denver is ok..

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    1. Thank you, Margaret....I'm sure the words will come. :)

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  10. A little late to the party today - I'll have something on the blog in the morning
    Lee, the love you feel for your brother comes through every single time you write about him. You were lucky to have him in your life - I truly 'loved and enjoyed' this personal tribute to him
    Cathy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cathy...I look forward to reading what you write. :)

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  11. EC. Old Bill would regard you as an excellent and gifted player.

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  12. You're not alone. I too have lost my only brother. I can't even bring myself to write about it, so great is the tragedy.It was an untimely death (at 58 and a half) in july 1998, while watching the Mondial, in a hotel room in Budapest. His wife was asleep.They were on a pleasure trip, and she brought him back in a coffin.

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    1. Oh, DUTA...how tragic...so very, very sad. Your brother and my brother were far too young. You have carried the loss of your much-loved brother with you as long as I have mine. I can't believe 20 years have passed...

      Thank you for coming by...my best thoughts go out to you.

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  13. Finished it Lee!
    Can be found Here

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    1. I've popped over, Cathy. You used the words so very well...a great little tale. :)

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  14. What a wonderful tribute! Please accept my condolences for the loss of your brother.

    Although i posted this hours ago, i am just getting in from work so i can link it here.

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  15. I've visited your blog and responded, messymimi. Well done.

    Thanks to everyone who has and is participating. :)

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  16. I always think those of you who participate in these weekly posts are wonderful, and I think in time it is something I may do.

    But Lee, this is a wonderful tribute to your brother, and I've always liked that John Denver song.

    My thoughts and good wishes to you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hi Jan, I hope you do join in one of these days soon...it's a bit of fun and it helps stir up the old grey matter. :)

      Thanks for coming by, and for your comment.. :)

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  17. Hope your day is productive and your evening pleasant.

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    Replies
    1. And the same back to you, Sandra...thanks. :)

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