Letters to those who have made my life
My father
Well, you gave me my name. What’s the story, Gordon Banks played at Shamrock Park on the day I was born and you were there. You must have been impressed to name your son after him.
There was hope for a footballer but it takes more than a name at least it did for me. What is it you say, “If you threw a ball at me I would peel it!”
I believe I emailed Gordon Banks to share the story but I fear he was passed replying to emails.
You introduced dogs to my life, particularly Jack Russells. Dogs gave me great joy from the first one I remember Sandy to my last one Toby when I was about 12.
You were a joiner. Those skills came in useful when I needed a kennel. I still remember your tips for getting the pup to stop crying, wrap a clock and a hot water bottle in a blanket and it will think it is its mum. It worked.
I particularly remember when I was about 8 you single-handedly converted an old terrace house to a takeaway. Again you may have thought I may be interested in acquiring joinery skills but I was more interested in Missy the dog who lived out the back. I was fascinated by her pregnancy and was there for all her pups being born. There was the little weak one. I rubbed its heart and revived it although it was not to last. And then I asked you how it all happened and you became a teacher on the plasterboard. It changed my view of people!
When I think of you I think of a child born just as war broke out and having to adjust when your father came home some years later.
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