Dear my younger self...
Here I am in 2023 writing to myself at the age of 18 in 1969, hoping this will contain some words of wisdom which I have learned in the intervening 54 years. In that half century or so there have been many changes – some for the better – and I hope to impart a few hints on the life you can expect in your future. I shan’t dwell on the sadder elements but will give you an upbeat view so you can concentrate on the happier events to look forward to.
First of all, I want to say that writing has continued to be a constant thread throughout my life. It gives me the opportunity to keep in touch with friends and relatives, immerse myself in creative writing which in turn incorporates all my favourite interests: history, comedy, reading and rock music. With this in mind, I shall take you on a brief tour of my life demonstrating the important part writing plays in my life.
Thinking back to the 60s, best friend Camilla, from our teenage years, is keeping well I’m pleased to say, but tells me her memory is failing due to older age, though her son William is a great help to her. I visited Camilla and her family in the USA in 1975 and had a wonderful three weeks there. They took me to so many places on the west coast from Vancouver to San Francisco, travelling inland to Reno where we stopped at Donner Lake. I recommend looking up some of the history of these places before your visit and as I wrote a 7-page account of my time there, it remains a personal reminder, along with the photos I took. Unfortunately, Camilla and I have not seen each other since, but still keep in close written contact across the thousands of miles that separate us.
I am also still in touch with friends from school days and we have met up often for lunch and long chats over the years, though communicate more in writing these days. Friendship has provided much happiness and solace and it is good to be able to keep in touch with so many of the wonderful people I have got to know over the years. Sadly, we have lost a few along the way, and I still miss them so much – Daniela and Krystina in particular – but they live on in my memories.
You will recall Mum “predicting” there would come a time when I would like opera and 1930s dance music! This never transpired, as I became more immersed in the music of the 60s and 70s singer/songwriters. In some ways I attribute this to my purchase of the Buffalo Springfield debut album in the summer of 1967 leading to my introduction to Neil Young’s song writing. Since then, his music has accompanied me through life and his unique lyrical talent has inspired me to write – not songs or even poetry but stories.
In 1979 I married my soulmate, Paul, with Cousin Bridget as my bridesmaid. We have one daughter, Claire, born in 1983, and her resemblance to the Italian side of the family is more than passing. Both she and her dad work here at home as freelancers – he as a translator, she as a proofreader and author. Together with my writing (I am a self-confessed compulsive scribe!), the written word looms large in our house. We moved to the Midlands in 1988 for Paul’s job, and I have made our home here, though I still miss London for all it has to offer. He was made redundant nearly 25 years ago and set up as a freelance translator soon after using in our small bedroom as an office, but is now semi-retired, accepting only occasional short jobs. I retired from my job as a medical secretary at a local hospital in 2014 but still retain my very useful shorthand and typing abilities – skills you will find invaluable in everyday life, and of course very much linked to writing.
Following our move up here, computers have become part of daily life for much of the population of the world, taking over from typewriters. They have opened up so many possibilities from typing letters, to finding out information on just about any subject which exists. We have a computer each as Paul and Claire need theirs for their work and I make good use of mine for my writing, doing research for this, sending letters (known as emails) to friends and relatives, placing orders with supermarkets and other retailers for home delivery, as well as attending interesting talks via the computer screen – the possibilities are almost endless, as you’ll find out in due course.
Over 20 years ago I joined a local writers’ group and attended most of their monthly meetings, till it closed, partly due to the increased cost of hiring the room where we met. In those two decades I have written reams on a variety of subjects and in 2021 started my own website and post on or two of those stories on there monthly. I know these terms are not familiar to you, but they will become part of your life towards the end of the 20th century. The website enables people anywhere in the world to look and read my stories via a computer, and that applies to any website with any content. Technology is marvellous (when it works, as mum always said).
With my love of writing and history, I decided to engage in both even more actively when I retired and am still working on a project revolving around the life of the illustrious Tudor playwright and poet, Christopher (Kit) Marlowe. This is taking shape as a novel which has a few twists but adheres to historical facts, where known. I am still a stickler for facts and abhor fanciful ideas being incorporated in historical novels in place of proven information. I have written many chapters and, so far, 10 of these are available on my website, along with about 40 other tales, some delving into the hilarious exploits of Dad and family, others touching on my interests and some just from my imagination. In fact, Paul reckons I have an over-active imagination – still trying to work out whether that’s a compliment! I am also in the midst of writing a stand-up comedy routine because it is a genre I have never tackled before. I like a literary challenge!
Not surprisingly, comedy plays a big part of our lives and through Paul’s talent for impersonations, Claire was introduced to many characters from sitcoms and sketch shows, together with so many lines from these, before she even saw them on television repeats or via a technology called video. On the subject of comedy, watch out for a new sketch show which will be aired from Sunday 5th October 1969. It’s called Monty Python’s Flying Circus and features some of the comedy actors in the Marty Feldman series and radio’s “I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again”. It became a worldwide hit with spin-off films and is still famous today.
Well, that is a summary of the last 54 years of my life which you will note has followed much the same path I was on at the age of 18. My advice to you is to further your interests, try to retain and improve any skills, such as writing, shorthand and typing, and you will reap the benefits in satisfaction, though not fame and fortune. And if you ask me, those two much sought-after goals are not all they’re cracked up to be.
So, write as much as you can, read books you enjoy (more rewarding than those scheme reading novels forced on us all at school), get a good grasp of a wide range of historical eras and civilisations, keep on listening to rock music, and go to as many concerts as you can. London is your oyster where this form of entertainment is concerned. Most of all keep in touch with friends and relatives – as technology expands, communication becomes easier, especially in the 21st century.
I can confirm that you will reach the age of 72, at least. Each December I realise how lucky I am as another year is added to my age, so don’t be in a hurry to grow older as you have years ahead of you. Treasure Mum and Dad and all those wonderful people we know, and those you have yet to meet.
With love over the years,
Your Older Self