"Stop Dawdling" - Moving the Plot Along
"Bloody late! Dicky's late again!" This is a key memory of my childhood. I am very happy to report that my childhood was mostly pleasant and comfortable and most of the arguments with my parents were of my own making, but there are certainly some particular points which have stuck with me and informed my processes and outlook. Most of the negative experiences with my parents were to do with their respective illnesses and early deaths (at my age of 24), which shaped my approach to marriage and parenthood in a less-than-helpful fashion. My dad was habitually late and would stamp along the corridor outside my room chastising himself as he dug through the airing cupboard for clean pants and socks, all of which I could hear from my room where I was ready to go to whatever family or social events I was being dragged along to. As all parents are wont to do, he did his best to prevent his failings manifesting in me, which has led to me being desperate to be on time for all thing