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'Forrest Gump-ing'

gobsmacked3
'Forrest Gump-ing'

Part of my routine growing up was dragging my drunken father out of the Telstar Bar on the Creggan Estate in Derry. To keep him from doing anything ill advised. This was always on the cards for he was a huge man with a violent reputation due to his links with the RIRA. Who made people in his company feel like they were cats hoping on a hot tin roof. A fact made all the more intimidating with him feeling immense pain after losing my mother. He cloaked this in denial which came out when he drank.

'Forrest Gump-ing'

At the time of this becoming such an issue, I was only 14 which meant I was not permitted in the bar. It was before mobile phones to alert people of their loved ones getting in trouble. This was bypassed by the people who owned the bar knowing that if he ever got out of control I was always sitting on a bench above the nearby cemetery and they could send someone to get me. Indulging in fish and chips from the local eatery and watching the seconds tick down till closing time. I would ensure him safe passage home while keeping the pride in the family name intact in the knowledge that any bad act always represented a domino chain crashing down on others. Luckily, he on occasion threatened, but never did anything untoward.

It was a cruel burden on one so young. The irony was an introduction to what has become a lifelong joy in people watching. The vantage point offered a clear view of Derry. That was surrounded by many people and all the associated colour and feel. This evoked and tantalised all my senses. The changing colours of the seasons offered a different view of the kaleidoscope of humanity. The brightness of summer was a polar opposite to the grim attrition of winter. Spring lit up all with renewal and rebirth whereas autumn taught of the need for affording in life as embodied by ‘fall. ‘My wonder was filled with seemingly walking a mile in the shoes of others. I took in all their quirks and eccentricities as a means to become more self-aware of my own foibles.

In short- ‘people watching.’

The take I had on ‘people watching’ was to rename it ‘Forrest Gump-ing’

In honour of the classic character Forrest Gump from the film named in his honour. The film centred on him sitting on a bench awaiting a bus. Observing as he waited and sharing the experiences of his life while re-living them to the full.

I embraced this as I witnessed from various vantage points in life. My present one is at Gunnamatta beach after a morning run and swim. Sitting on the sand and peering out into the ocean. Watching the many surfers and immersing in their freedom. I close my eyes and reminisce on moments from my life where I felt free

‘ The time I hitched from Amsterdam to Berlin with a woman in her brand new Mercedes Benz where she flew on the autobahn.’

The wind flowing through both our hair with music blaring on the radio....’

The recollection evaporated by screeching cars flying by in a hurried manner. Which are driven by people in three-piece suits who are defined by the stress of their driving;

‘Having three kids under seven and working 15 hours days to make ends meet in my mid 20’s. It made me feel like I was pepper in a grinder.’

All the people heading to school, the mothers flanked by kids either side hand in hand alongside the siblings from different families. A child stands out walking alone. In a dirty uniform with no adequate shoes;

‘ The inequality of education. How tough it is for kids from impoverished homes....

My greatest challenge as a teacher

Will the kid get through the day unscathed?

Or

Will he be subjected to taunts through no fault of his own?’

Sadly, I already know the answer...'

My coffee addiction kicks in and I saunter off to a local coffee shop. The same girl serves me every morning but never remembers my name or the same coffee I order every day;

‘My obsession with Pink Floyd...... Another brick in the wall..... Clashing with....Comfortably numb......’

I sip the inhumanly strong macchiato as I view the local RSL club fill up with the many aged people in the area. It makes me confront my greatest fear of getting old underpinned by the realisation that the more you live. The more you have to give up and leave behind.

Sigh, I leave my coffee half drank as I walk home to get ready for work. In the process being challenged by the ultimate example of ‘Forrest Gump-ing;

Looking in the mirror and observing myself ;

‘Oscar Wilde.................’

'Forrest Gump-ing'
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