The Wizard of Oz was a huge part of my childhood. It was certainly on the television every Christmas, if not every seasonal celebration and I fear I started to mould my life upon it.
Like the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, I thought that if I could just reach… well, the next level in whatever I was doing, I would achieve the goal I sought. Be it courage, a brain, a heart… or just someone who would appreciate all my finer points and learn how to love all the crap that came with them.
The opening piano chords of Elton John’s famous song inevitably bring a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes because it always made me think about saying goodbye to that dream. Somehow, so much more poignant than Candle in the Wind.
And, now I’ve done it. Turned off the path and away from the promise of the Emerald City with the Wizard who will wave his magic wand and make everything right. Taken my life into my own hands.
I may not be like Elton’s boy going back to hicksville from the glitz and glamour of a penthouse lifestyle but things will certainly be different from here on in. However, the afternoon that I spent with one of my more difficult children in my flat recently where we just chatted and hung out without any rows gives me hope that I can look forward to a better future.
Because I took the plunge and made it so, rather than waiting for things to miraculously come right through the wave of a magic wand.
Recent Bites