Member-only story
The Incredible Disappearing People
The changes you see when you revisit
My Dad was a physically strong man, in his youth a boxer, and he worked for years in a dangerous, physical job where he endeavoured to save people and property. He was born and brought up in a tough inner-city neighbourhood where you sometimes had to fight to protect what was yours.
Mum was from the same area (they met when they were 15-years-old). She was also a fit and strong woman, more a dancer than a fighter, but no pushover.
Both of my parents were smart, too. Although their family circumstances did not allow them to remain in education past the age of 14 (they had to go out and get jobs to help support their families), they educated themselves. They read books and newspapers, and they could answer the questions from their growing children. They always took an interest, and they could debate. Dad, in particular, always made time to help with homework and however much or little he knew, he always managed to stay ahead of us as children — we never encountered any question as children that he couldn’t tackle. Despite working hard and having a successful career, he also took time to teach us all to swim, ride bikes, play sports and card and board games, and they both made time for us.
