Serendipity

An email came from Blogger on New year's day  telling me a comment had been left on a post I did on 13 June 2010, titled Greta Football Club reunion/ Leigh Candy.

It was flattering of my football ability as school boy, and not how I remember myself. I was handy yes but lacking in confidence and the older I got the less I applied myself, as in fact was needed more. I was not physically strong and needed hard training, the very thing I avoided most, the reason for which could use some research, but what the hell, it doesn't matter now.

The comment was posted as anonomous but the poster provided his name and email address. It was made by an old school mate Peter Prentice who now lives interstate. I was surprised to receive a comment on such an old post, additionally in that I've had friends tell me they've tried to make comments in the past but couldn't, it seemed you had to be a blogger yourself to get a comment up and most friends are not. It only bloggers that leave comments, few and far between.

I was so pleased to hear from Pete that I emailed him and told him so. I had not seen or heard from him in about 45 years. For about a week we exchanged emails. I will not divulge details of Pete's story here as it was given to me privately, but I will say that he's had an amazing life. We have similarities in our experience and thoughts on Malvern and Caulfield Grammar, both were called up for national service (different intakes). We are the same age, both have two fine sons from long standing marriage (most important to both of us). Hell, our wives drive I30 wagons, and Pete's great mate GSP dog who died recently reminded me so much of my 'Blitz', my great companion of many years. And of course we have differences, I suspect in temperament and philosophy. My personal wheels are a bent and binged Suzuki carryvan with a 1.3 litre engine. Pete's is a 6.0L SSV ute with 300 hp at the back wheels.

But the sharing of our stories and recollections has been wonderful, to shake me from my weariness and give me renewed confidence and enthusiasm. I'm not such a bad old bastard after all, and have come through pretty well.

We hope to catch up one of these days. He's warned me he's large, loud and opinionated, unlikely to agree with my Budhist-like thoughts. That's OK by me, we're all different.

I was a quiet, easy child I'm told, by my mother. I became different by necessity along the way. I'm heading back to my peaceful and quiet reality, no matter what the rest of the world is, does.

Thanks Pete, you have helped me heaps.