A Brave New World? by Grant Leishman

A Brave New World?

by Grant Leishman

As we begin the long road back to “normal” and start to come out of these lockdown conditions caused by the pandemic, I wonder how many of the readers have had deep thoughts about the direction of their lives. Change, fear, and doubt about the future can certainly trigger thoughts of, where am I going and what am I trying to achieve? I know those thoughts full well, as I went through a similar selfexamination some years back. I’d like to recount the story of my attempt to create a “brave new world” for myself in the hope that it may inspire someone to begin their own journey of self-discovery.

Just over ten years ago, (March 29th 2011, if you want to be exact about it) at 9.30 in the morning, I walked through the automatic doors at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and into the unknown. Oh, it wasn't like I hadn't been to The Philippines before, I'd been here numerous times, although not for almost eleven years.

Nope, it was the unknown for a very different reason. I had left my life in New Zealand behind; kissed my seventeen-year-old son and fourteen-year-old daughter, goodbye and boarded a flight bound for Manila, with little possessions and bugger-all money, just a burning desire, at 51-years-old, to try to rebuild a life that had been shattered by some bad and calamitous decisions.

Little did I know, as I took a deep breath at the top of the ramp that leads down to the waiting area what the next ten years would hold in store for me. I was about to meet, in person, for the first time, some of the most important people in my brave, new, world; my future wife and two of her children. I was nervous, bloody nervous, if the truth be known but I was also determined. I'd made a right cock-up of things up to that point and I figured it was about time to make something good happen in my life. Deep breath and walk; you can do this, Grant.

I knew I always had a fallback position (a plan B, if you like), if things didn't work out but that wasn't something I even wanted to contemplate, in my worst nightmares; running back to New Zealand with my tail between my legs and the expected taunts from family and friends; "told you so", "I always said it was a dumb idea Grant", and worst of all actually, the looks of sorrow and pity I would get from my nearest and dearest. No, I knew this was probably my last shot at happiness, at making something work in my life and I wasn't going to give it up without a fight. I'd been friends with Thess for over four years, online, before I decided to take that ultimate step and come here. It had been something that had been brewing in my mind for a long time but it was probably my 50th birthday that crystallized it and made me decide it wasn't just a good idea, it was essential. As we all do, probably, on these annual milestones, I’d sat down

and reviewed where the hell I was in my life. My son was about to head away to University and I would be left in a small town in southern New Zealand, essentially alone (my daughter having already gone to live with her mother in another City). If ever I was going to try something bold, exciting and new, now was the time. I was well aware of the relentlessly ticking clock and figured this might be my one and only shot left, at making something happen. I decided right there and then that come hell or high water, I was going to give this a good crack. So, there I was, standing on the apron of the waiting area at Ninoy Aquino Airport, surrounded by bustling people, yet somehow all alone. I knew Thess was around somewhere as I'd had a text from her earlier, in the baggage collection area but I couldn't see her and as the minutes ticked by, I began to worry, began to wonder. Shit, this wasn't how it was supposed to be; this wasn't how I'd imagined our meeting, a million times in my dreams and fantasies.

"Hi! Finally!" I turned toward the voice and although it sounds clichéd, my mouth dropped open and I felt my eyes begin to water. There she was, my internet friend, my soon to be lover, my future wife; she was even more beautiful and more stunning in reality than any picture or cam could ever do her justice. I had long wondered if our first meeting would prove to be awkward, uncomfortable and filled with long, pregnant silences. I need not have worried. She dropped the hands of the two young girls she was with and literally flung herself into my arms, kissing me intensely and with more passion than I had ever thought possible. Oblivious to the people bustling all around us, we clung to each other like two castaways who had spent years alone, on opposite sides of the same desert island and had finally, somehow, discovered each other. Nothing and nobody existed in those few moments except two love-starved people seeking the long-awaited succor from each other. We've discussed this moment, since and we are both of the same opinion; it was in that split second when we finally found each other, that March morning ten years ago that we knew we had found our life partners. For me, I felt a surge of joy and utter contentment, a feeling that had been sadly lacking from my life for so long. I knew, intuitively, I had found my soul-mate and everything was going to be forever changed from that point on.

The last ten years have thrown us many challenges (never mind a year’s lockdown – so far – from the pandemic) but we're still answering them and dealing with them. There are only two certainties in life, they say; death and taxes. Well, for me, there are

three – death, taxes, and the love we both share. Whatever the trials and tribulations that may come our way now, and in the future, we will face them together, until there is only one of us left. That is the certainty for me. So much has changed in our lives over the ten years but one thing I know without a shadow of a doubt, is that I am a much better person than the lost, lonely, 51-year-old BOY, who walked off that plane and into the arms of the most amazing woman I have ever been privileged enough to meet... let alone love. I am now a full-time author and editor and I have only one person to thank for steering me onto my true path in life and that is her; my best friend, my confidant, my lover, my wife, and my other half. Thank you darling for finding me and saving me from myself.

MARAMING, MARAMING, SALAMAT PO!

So, here I am, ten years on and has it been a brave, new, world that we've created for ourselves? Well, we're still working bloody hard on creating our brave new world but I'll tell you something for nothing; it's a wonderfully happy, vibrant, new world I now live in. It's not easy, in fact, at times it's damn hard but it is MINE and THESS' WONDERFUL NEW WORLD and we wouldn't change it for anything. We will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary on May 9th this year and since we already have plans for what we want to do on our silver wedding anniversary in fifteen-years-time, we each have every incentive to stay hale and healthy for each other. I have a picture of two of my biggest critics and detractors over the years; but who also were my two biggest supporters in this life, my wonderful parents, taped to the wall above the computer. They're both, sadly, gone now but every so often I look up at their smiling faces, wink and say; "well Mum, I got this one right!" I swear I can almost hear her voice whispering back; "finally, Grant, finally... yes you did!"

Grant Leishman is a fifty-nine-year-old full-time author and editor, domiciled in the beautiful island of The Philippines. After careers in finance and journalism, Grant finally found his true bliss in life, writing. He is happily married to Thess and they have two daughters, Rose and Angeline. Discover more about Grant on the Mom's Favorite Reads website

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/grant-leishman

Life

by Stan Phillips

Life unfolding along its precarious road promises neither grief nor glory.

It offers neither tears nor laughter. Nor joy Sorrow.

Sadness

Or happiness.

But maybe there is a touch of all these things in our lives as time wends its way from here to there. For life is just that - life.

And it promises nothing save a rich parcel of ups and downs.

Highs and lows, As it's strange sequence of events are stitched onto the tapestry that tells our stories. And it is not those events that tell the tale,

Rather it is our reaction to them.

Stan Phillips is an 80 year old poet, musical podcast maker, part-time wannabe male model, and occasional stand up comedian. “I used to be a psychotherapist/counsellor when I had an honest job. I was born into prewar London, and attended 17 schools (my father believed they couldn’t hit a moving target) and I eventually finished up here in Ireland. Still wondering what I will be when I grow up — but enjoying writing my quirky poetry as I do so.”

Discover more about Stan on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/stan-phillips