Going back to find my grief
All my life, I have been aware of the difference between my physical and academic abilities. I was a bright young man but couldn’t read out loud, (Today I would be diagnosed with dyslexia.) So, I was shamed and rebuked as I went through the school system. When it came to sports, I was always gifted and confident, no one could criticize my abilities. Over the years this situation distorted how I viewed myself and people’s expectations of me, so I am now trying to make sense of it. My counsellor during our last session, asked me if other people had appreciated my physical abilities as much as I had. Suddenly I became very emotional and started talking about my dad. He certainly admired my talents and supported me in any way he could and, more than my brothers, we had an affinity that I’m only realising was very special. Unlike my brothers who were apart from my dad during the war years, he was a constant in my life. He made my breakfast every morning since my mum was at work. He talked