I know You're Not Alone, On the Nightshift

Charlie and Jimmy came into our life, like Hurricanes.

Charlie was my Dad's cousin who emigrated to the States in the 1960's. Dad carried Charlies case up to the station when he left the town. Theirs was a big family, but a big close family.

I heard vague tales of the family who went to America, but never met them. Until a few years ago. Jimmy and Charlie were coming "Home" for a visit. Mum was putting them up, always the willing hostess.

They had been here a few days, exhausting my mum with their need to be out and about, while Charlie showed his son Jimmy, the auld home, and drinking a short with everyone they met, strangers some of them, but greeting them all as old friends.

They finally tied us down to an evening when we would all be home, and we dashed about and tidied up, and bought some whisky. And then they arrived.

Not only did they arrive in our home, they arrived in our hearts. These were two of a kind. Funny, loud, very crazy Yanks with a heart made in Scotland.

We sat all night drinking round the table falling in love with these members of our family, who were completely crazy, but totally adorable. We all laughed and chatted as if we had been friends for ever. The backchat between Tony P and Jimmy Windows was priceless!

The rest of their time in Scotland was interspersed with them dropping by at the drop of at hat. These were two visitors who would always be welcome.

Saying goodbye at the end of their holiday was hard, and tears fell, and promises were made for visits. Phone calls took place, and cards were sent at Christmas. But neither they, nor we made the journery to pull us all together again.

Boy, in USA, is not so very far from them, in States terms, and he was planning on dropping in before Christmas to say hello and catch up again. Mum was going out next year to meet up with the rest of their clan, knowing fine well, the welcome from them would be as warm as she had given out.

Sadly, it's not to be now. Charlie left us last night, and has gone on, hopefully to the 19th Hole for a quick one with my Dad before he meets up with the Love of his life.

A man's a man fur a that ..

Night Night