A day in life - Thursday 8th May #064

Gratitude, icons, nostalgia and hope.

I didn't have myself down as a person who would shed a tear for the VE Concert last Thursday night, but...

It was quite a day.

A day of fond memories, nostalgia, global announcements and hope, sprinkled with modern-day discoveries, wellness activities and small luxuries.

Morning victories

The day started with an epic Spin Class – breaking my previous FTP (Functional Threshold Power, apparently it’s a thing in cycling!) record and releasing torrents of endorphins throughout my body. My Whoop (yes, still wearing it!) informed me I'd hit my "optimal strain." What a start to the day!

It was also the day when I ventured outside for the first time in my new Vivo Barefoot shoes. A sure sign I'm aging as I forgo any form of elegance for flipper-like, totally flat shoes with promises of improved foot health. My various foot aches and wonky toes telling me that, after decades of wearing high-heeled and pointy shoes (god, how I loved them!), "it's time."

Moments of Faith and Change

Speaking of time, I listened to a moving podcast from Glennon, Abby, and Amanda, collective hosts of "We Can Do Hard Things" speaking with Bishop Budde – "The Woman Who Spoke Truth to Trump." This was shortly followed by the white smoke announcing the new Pope. Although I’m not religious, having just watched "Conclave" I felt I had a vested interest in this appointment. Not to mention the hope for a forward-looking, inclusive papal leader who could follow Bishop Budde in speaking truth to power and spreading a message of peace. Fingers crossed.

Technology then and now

On the subject of nostalgia – how on earth did we watch television on the screens of old? Without LCD or OLED or pixels or whatever? Not to mention colour! How delighted was I to have the lovely men from John Lewis deliver and install my new 42" TV (an upgrade from a mere 30-incher – the shame).

Familiar faces

Which was why I ended up with the TV on as The One Show started. The presenters were, of course, discussing the VE Day celebrations and the concert due to start within the hour. Waiting patiently on the couch was Julian Clary. I recall seeing the then androgynous, outrageous, “bustled and gartered” young performer doing stand-up in Newcastle circa 1990. Coincidentally, I'm going to see him on Saturday at the London Palladium, part of his cowboy themed tour - “A fistful of Clary” (cue endless jokes about "slipping into chaps"). I love his gentle, camp, salacious humour.

Soundtrack of Our Lives

Imagine my fan-girl delight as I tucked into my favourite tea – fried eggs and baked beans on toast – when Tracy Chapman was Jo Whiley's guest on Radio 2. They were celebrating the re-release of the "Fast Car" album after 37 years! Thirty-seven years! I so clearly recall playing this cassette on repeat as I drove my white Vauxhall Cavalier company car, with its go-faster green stripes and yellow-and-green striped seats, from London to my childhood home, North Devon. A sublime album that has more than stood the test of time.

Honouring and learning from the past

I was torn – should I listen to Jo & Tracy or watch the VE Concert?

I compromised by doing a bit of both until 9pm when the VE Concert got my full attention. And I am so glad it did. Hosted by the vivacious Zoe Ball, for me it was a time to reflect as I listened to the stories of veterans and evacuees.

I remembered my grandma Amy’s, stories of working as a postwoman during the War in Birmingham, while my grandad, Les, was posted overseas. My mum, Hazel, born in 1944, not meeting her dad until 1946.

And I tried to imagine what life must have been like for our grandparents' generation during this time of fear, rationing, loss, liberation and change.

The music and readings were evocative, poignant and relevant in these times of a changing world order, war and uncertainty. Not to mention the vignettes of those who'd lived through the war with their "we just got on with it" attitude and the ad hoc parties and celebrations on VE Day. Can you imagine? The relief, the happiness, the sadness?

I feel there is so much we can learn from this generation. But already, in our fast paced digital and consumerist world we seem to be forgetting…

You

As ever, I’m interested in you. One question:

If you could preserve one lesson from the generation that lived through WWII to pass on to future generations, what would it be?

Make yourself some dripping on toast (!), pour a strong brew and drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.

And remember, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today, what are you rationing in your life that no longer serves you?

Until next week my friends,

Ruth x

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