One Page Wonder 115 (Just like you) Thanks to a major computer malfunction last week this story which was then impending is now a reality. It would be selfish of me to say that I am disappointed because it is a transition of our ever changing lives. I have known the day has been coming though had always hoped it wouldn’t arrive so soon. You see, my family and I are now like almost all of you out there reading this. For over a decade we have been different, often treated very special, because we were, and still are. There were times when we were almost aloof, and had an expectancy that we would be treated better than others. Now, though, the day has come and we are now like most other people. Unfortunately, once you have been spoilt with the opportunities that we have had it is difficult to take a back seat. Now, there lies the crux of the matter. For the last 12 years my wife Wendy has worked for an airline. We were privileged to get heavily discounted fares usually in business class. When you take your seat at the front it was impossible to not look back down the aisles and say to yourself “pity the fools”. The smugness that you had on your face as others headed past smacked of arrogance. Alas it is all over and I will be the one trudging past those in business class, disgruntled but accepting that my fate for the flight duration, sitting in the ‘cheap seats’. Many of these trips were back to see our family in New Zealand which kept the boys in constant contact with their Kiwi Aunties as they grew up. Most states and territories of Australia were visited which was always educational and fun and it brings pictures in magazines and shows on television to life. You are better for the experience to at least say you have been there. We experienced fabulous overseas trips to places like Phuket, where you get a real understanding of people. You share the magic of their happiness even though to you they have little materially. Happiness is an emotion that you can choose to have ( or not ) and the Thai people have it in spades. Whilst there we were fortunate to ride huge elephants and travel in sea canoes through caverns into areas where you felt that it would not surprise you to see Indiana Jones jump out. Los Angeles was amazing and our days at Disneyland truly bring the magic to life. Childhood memories come flooding back and no matter how old you are, when there the one redeeming feature over and over again is happiness. Universal Studios brings movies alive and larger than life characters are everywhere and it is difficult not to believe you are in a dream. My lifelong wish was to take my boys to Legoland and our day there had special signifance to me as I had honoured my promise to them. Amazingly creative people perform magic with something that started from one white plastic block and a dream. Watching an NFL Ice Hockey match involving The Mighty Ducks is an experience we still talk about though apart from me, my family hate all sport. It was simply a special occasion. A Christmas lunch of ham and coleslaw sandwiches with M and M’s for dessert overlooking Ala Moana Beach in Hawaii will be difficult to top. It put life in perspective because as long as you have the right people around you life is good. Pearl Harbour was awesome and Wendy and Brady also went to Japan and were amazed with the beauty of the country and its people. Wendy has often said that she has never felt safer than she did in Japan. So, don’t feel sorry for us now because we have done ok. Though I may now never get to see my beloved Chelsea play in London our lives have been enriched by the experiences and the opportunities that has been afforded to our family. Now Wendy can concentrate fully on being a nurse, which she will have to be to look after me when I’m older. So, I guess if we are now like almost everybody else out there reading this then that’s not a bad thing. As you are part of The One Page Wonder Community I am sure you are all special and wonderful people. How could you not be? Have a great week Rodney Tattam 27th October 2013
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 22:18:39 +0000
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