Looking back; looking forward.

Where is that young man that I used to know? That eager Art Student with such great ideals and ambition.

Where is that lush wavy hair, that full set of teeth, and infectious smile? 

Little did he know, whilst sitting in that chair, that he would soon meet the girl of his dreams, end-up with three children, and spend 50 years living in the South of France. The world was certainly his Oyster, and he was to consume them by the dozen.

I remember him as a bonviveur. He loved food, wine, and untipped Gauloises cigarettes. He enjoyed the better things of life. He also lived a very waste-free existence. He had a large vegetable garden, plenty of fruit trees, and a medium sized Chestnut plantation. He ploughed his own land, where he sowed and harvested Maize and Wheat, and he had a large run-full of Chickens and Ducks. He lived 'The Good Life', even before 'the good life' had been invented. 

In time he lost some of his 'sparkle'. His children grew-up and moved away, he moved to a smaller home, and eventually divided his time between the South of France and the South of England.

Now he is getting old. His mobility has become limited. The bushy hair and endearing smile have gone, and he walks his black and white dog with a rolling gait, a silver topped cane, and the occasional grimace. He is no longer that young man that he still likes to think he is.

He contemplates. He reads. He fills-in countless crosswords. He still enjoys his food and drink, but no longer scours the earth for the finest cafés or restaurants. His dancing days are over too, and he is now more likely to watch 'Strictly' than be seen performing a jig at the local fêtes.

He no longer has a studio in which to work, or even the desire to do so, so his painting days are over, and his life's previous output must suffice.

Luckily his wit remains, and he enjoys good company. He will still search the woods for the very best mushrooms. and he still grows much of his own fruit. His 'second home' garden is a passion, and he tends it with pride. He will swim, he will BBQ, and he will enjoy the sunshine.

So, now he studies the faces of his grandsons, and sees something of himself there. He has watched them grow into fine young men. His hope for them is that they have as much fun in life as he once had, and that their wives give them sons and daughters that they can be proud of too.