Sent†:† November†9,†2004†6:28:40†AM
To†:† lucidluna@hotmail.com, malcolm@hfx.eastlink.ca, yo_mal@hotmail.com, lindafofinha@rediffmail.com, julia_sunshine_327@hotmail.com
Subject†:† Hi, gramps is sick. BUt he's old so it's OK LOve to you all.
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Poppa Bill,
My strength to you grandfather! What I have for you is only a note, but your memory fills it's lines. Good recovery to you.
Upon hearing you were sick I wrote to you;
Bill,
I took a walk today, out further than usual on the dusty paths of Dar's less famous neighbourhoods.††I was not annyomous among the shacks and shops--everyone took notice in a stunned and friendly way.††
I walked through a pack of kids playing a sundown game of soccor with a bundled rag.††They stopped as I said a cheery "mambo!" (Hello!) and their eyes opened wider, and silent. I kept walking, and in the sand of the road I saw a pair of abandoned bicycle handlebars.
Well concious of the eyes on me, I picked them up and turned to the kids to ask, "Can I borrow this bicycle?" Handlebars in front, I waved goodbye and put on a show of pedalling this invisible bike down the road.
What a song of laughter! And I giggled too, leaned the "bike" against a cashew tree and carried on.††The kids were still tickled, and when I turned back I saw a boy with the handlebars himself, and to everyones applause he continued the show-- the spotlight now on him.††And some joy of life with us all.
This is what you give me: humanity, humour and audacity. The genious of a "serious" joke! You teach the music of courage Bill and I am proud to sing your songs. A finer grandfather I could not imagine so give us another one now!
I trust, as the poem says, you will not go quietly into this or any good night... so with my love to you, I send pity for your nurses! You are a handful,††a precious handful.††You may borrow my bike on your road to revovery.
UNtil I see you,
Your faithful grandson,
MIchael William Ackhurst
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