Home (You’ll Never Walk Alone)

Monday 4 January 2021. It feels good to write today’s date with an ending other than 2020. The word will go down in history with a negative connotation, a knowing that when we say “2020” we are in fact speaking of something else. Like “nine eleven”.

Pause.

A lot of people are going back to work today after the Christmas and New Year holiday break. My husband Dave included. Me, I’m home for another two days and I plan to spend as much of it doing things I love. Writing, photographing, even ironing. Creating words, images and creaseless attire. These things make me smile.

Home is near the beach. It’s breezy today as I write at 6:30am but the wind may die away. Usually I’m out on the balcony at this time with my mug of coffee, enjoying the sunrise, fresh air, and watching the sparrows fly in and out of their home - the stobie pole out the front. They teach me to look more closely and notice what’s around. Because it really is a beautiful thing to watch; birds bringing bits of nature to each other to feather their nest, or eat for breakfast.

If the weather calms I’m more likely to walk the esplanade. I should. It’s right there for the taking and my blood needs circulating. My legs need stretching. My mind will appreciate the effort.

I just heard that Gerry Marsden, lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers who I saw in London in 1994 (I think?) has passed away. This will hit home for Liverpool fans around the world. Though written by Oscar Hammerstein II and composed by Richard Rodgers for their musical Carousel in 1945, the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was most famously covered by Gerry’s band and it was their version that was adopted as the Liverpool FC anthem. The lyrics seem so timely. “Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain. Though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on. With hope in your heart. And you’ll never walk alone”.

I’d like to add that you’ll never walk alone, most especially if you’re at home (with yourself).

RIP Gerry.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

Oscar Hammerstein II