Sue and Brian have featured in previous blogs (Pushing The Boat Out and Bring Me Laughter.) They live near York (and there’ve been plenty of blogs featuring York – see Tags opposite.) But the generosity of Sue and Brian is what has prompted me to reboot my blog in the 24 Days of Advent leading to Christmas Eve 2019. The quotation in the sub-heading is from Frozen II (yes, I’m a sucker for Disney films) and, although we have plenty of robust debate with Sue and Brian, there is a pretty sturdy bridge between us – ironic, really, since to get to their house you have to cross a very rickety wooden-slatted toll bridge!
The stoic philosopher from Ancient Greece, Epictetus, suggested: “Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.” Sue (Sally’s longest-standing friend from Primary School) gave us a present this year (the pictures in this blog should make it obvious what that present was.) That present became an example to follow – something borne of sheer will, love and dogged endeavour. Mark Twain might cynically suggest that “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” But Sue’s Advent Stockings had the opposite effect for me – they inspired me.
It was a blast each day finding quizzes, walking routes, toiletries, sweeties, chocolates, coffee gizmos, useful gadgets (excellent torch, by the way) and miniature bottles of alcohol…. Sue and Brian are the kind of friends who build metaphorical bridges for others to walk across (click here for an example.) The 24 Advent Stockings spurred me on each day to walk across another bridge, post another blog, catch up with events over the past year. (I’d been a tad disheartened at the state of national and international politics and the only thing that made sense was to bury myself in the ongoing editing of my retirement hobby, Rhenium Tales. My imaginary planet made more sense than the real world.)
Yes, another quotation from Frozen II, this time from the Grand Pabbie (which Anna thankfully recalls at a key moment….) – so Sue’s stockings (as it were), made me do the next right thing. One day at a time. One word at a time. One picture at a time. All you can do is the next right thing. You can’t beat an inspirational Disney quotation! (Unsentimental Disney haters, look away now! - you might vomit....):
- A dream is a wish your heart makes
- A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart
- If everybody got somebody by the hand, maybe everyone could learn and understand
- Our fate lies within us – you only have to be brave enough to see it.**
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