Tag: love

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I would not dare to give you advice (July 2016)

The stimulus for this session was the words of advice written by Mary Schmich in 1997.

“Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young“, commonly known by the title “Wear Sunscreen“,[1] is an essay written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich, originally published in June 1997 in the Chicago Tribune.“
Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wear_Sunscreen

It was set to music by Baz Luhrmann in 1998 on his album Something for Everybody YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4reHCjPoUnA&index=6&list=RDdQwmt18QgUA

The words were printed out and handed out to the group and the YouTube clip was played. The context was “advice to be given to the young”; the question was “what advice do you wish that you had been given?”.

This led to an interesting discussion – the main points of which were added to a flip chart and then these points were reordered into the poem below.

On reflection, although it worked well, the clip was rather too long and I had to take back the printed lyrics early on since the group members were looking for answers in them, rather than from their own experience. Indeed, once this happened the conversation was much more personalised and open.

 

I would not dare to give you advice
But….
Get to know your friends,
you get back the love you give.
Look after people,
you can only do this if you look after yourself,
Make sure your hearing aid works (even if you have a sore ear), get the doctor on to it.
You can’t start something then walk away:
Don’t “but” just do.
Even if you are not always on the same wavelength it does not matter,
Listen to what they say.
Be lucky.
Do your homework and don’t go to bed in a temper.
Remember-
One thing always leads to another.

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I Remember it Well (June 2016)

This session was introduced by reading I Remember it Well as sung by Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold from the film Gigi. In the duet Maurice list a series of memories and Hermione corrects him (rather impatiently) throughout; that is until the last verse.

He says
“Am I getting old?”

Her answer is tender and caring and full of love,

“Oh no, not you
How strong you were
How young and gay
A prince of love
In every way”

As befits his character he answers

“Ah, yes, I remember it well”.

This was the start of our discussion, but soon the poem took a life of its own. The first line was spoken as a joke, but it made a brilliant start. The next line was in the same vein. The rest just flowed.

The poem is quite short, but the memories and discussions which arose were very honest and open. Everyone reflected on life and experience.

There were seven members in the group today and each one took part either through contributing lines or stimulating others by their conversation.

The final poem is very different from what I thought would be created. As usual, the group surprised and delighted me and themselves.

 

I remember it well, but then Dearie, you are so much older than me.
I still love you and you are getting ugly, but I remember you well.
So many partners, I don’t remember them all, except you – I remember you so well.
Montego Bay, I remember it well. The car trip, the journey – so long.
My joy at finding you’re queer. I remember it well
No, I am not sleeping or dreaming, I was there and I remember it well.
I travelled for love, a love which remains. Oh, how I love you – I remember you well.