Day #10: Playrooms of the Soul
Of all the rooms in our houses, library rooms were my favourites these days. It used to be the playrooms where the kids spent their best time learning, falling, running, playing. Now, the libraries felt like playrooms for our older souls.
We made them ambitious and independent so they left home in their twenties, like we did. Not because they had to prove something to us but because they had to prove something to themselves. It felt like an achievement. The “reward”? It was that the big houses were now empty and we were constantly and secretly waiting for that call or unexpected visit from them and the grandkids.
We could spend countless hours in the library, quietly, and then all of a sudden gasping or laughing or murmuring in contemplation because of something we had just read. We were, in a way, still learning, falling, running, playing. We kept ourselves young and entertaining. The trick of a good grandparent is to have lots of stories and answers to unasked questions.
One day, they will read our notes, make their own annotations and maybe connect with us even after we’ll be long gone.
Isn’t it what we do whenever we read anything from the great writers?
Books, especially the physical ones, with their marks, stains, smells, notes, missing pages were certainly one of my most precious possessions.
Join My Journey: One Shot, One Story
Each day unfolds with a single random image from Unsplash, sparking the creation of a story.
Why?
This ritual is not merely about storytelling; it’s a pathway to a legacy I’m building for my children, something I wish I received from my parents instead of “stuff” — a book that delves into the intricacies of mistakes, healing, pain, success, and the shifting sands of societal values.
This narrative explores the devaluation of human virtues, the nuances of grift and speculation, addiction, the evolving roles within society, the impact of feminism, leadership, and the vital importance of responsibility and accountability.
Cool, but who for?
It’s a story meant to answer questions that distant relatives, whom I’ve never met or fallen out of touch with, might ponder about our shared lineage and the world that shaped us.
As a devoted father, this endeavour is my beacon, guiding the legacy I wish to leave behind. Writing, in a language that wasn’t my first, presents a unique challenge — one that I tackle with stoic determination. It’s an effort to break barriers, to communicate more profoundly, not just with my immediate family, but with anyone on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
But who are you anyway?
With a background in engineering, entrepreneurship, investments, and a heart that beats for art, beauty, and nature, I am deeply passionate about technology, history, psychology, and uncovering the layers of what makes things ‘weird.’ Above all, I’m a family man, a software artisan committed to lifelong learning, eager to share the insights gleaned from my quest to minimise regrets.
Follow my journey here and on X, let’s connect even if you simply want to tell me how much my content sucks. I’d love some honest feedback!