“Bowie pulled together theatre and science fiction into a new genre that influenced the music industry for now and forever more”.
I normally spend the end of the holidays vacillating. Whether to use those last few days chilling out by the chiller, reading bubble gum, working on the art of the siesta.
Alternatively, we are packing the most into last drops of time off, hoofing off to the Hokianga, marching out to Matapouri or paying some homage to domesticity. Maybe mowing the lawns or attempting to fix the clothesline, which I broke grabbing the line in a futile attempt save yet another backward flop (not pole-dancing)!
Not this year. We knew exactly what we were doing.
We had our mokopuna stay with us for a week while her parents went to a wedding in Raro. Yes, we knew what we were doing and we had our work cut out. Time takes on a new meaning when you’re looking after a 10-month-old.
I should have remembered; after all, I was the stay-at-home dad for both of our girls when they were pre-schoolers.
Our house took on a fairly chaotic mode with blocks and jigsaws in the lounge, pots and pans in the hall, a high chair with a perimeter of food around it with an angelic dot at the centre of everything.
Don’t get me wrong, we loved it. The end of the holidays went past in flashes of auburn tufts, retro toys, passionate tantrums sit-down kani kani and the broadest of elating grins. I really did forget how all-consuming parenting can be of little ‘uns of that age. She belongs to a new generation that will be so different from our era.
As I’m writing this I have just heard about the end of a rock and roll era with the death of David Bowie. He was so prolific producing 24 albums.
There’s a phrase you can use for most situations. Bowie pulled together theatre and science fiction into a new genre that influenced the music industry for now and forever more.
He was different, avant garde, pushing boundaries. Two different coloured eyes. A diverse character producing a diverse repertoire. His lyrics give a worldly context to all kinds situations and events, including grandparent hood:
{image:2}
“Nothing’s going to stop us in these golden years” – the glow of goodness and usefulness we get from her adoring looks.
“And I think my spaceship knows which way to go” – our little moko has a walker that we have christened “the spaceship” she rattles around at lightning speed.
“Let's dance” we have been transfixed by this little mite who will dance to almost anything, even my somewhat dodgy singing or the tune of a cell phone ringing.
And of course “Oh you pretty thing!” – that one’s self-explanatory.
We have enjoyed many a crazed dancing night with our old pals Bridget and Robbie. Bridget’s affection for Bowie and his music was contagious.
We may be grandparents but we look forward to our next, slightly sadder final dance with these friends.
And after having bubs for a week – (we did it – back to mum and dad in one pretty piece!) we can be sure that “nothing’s going to stop us in these golden years!”
Downloadable pdf below:
| Available Downloads | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Let’s dance – Bowie lyrics in everything | 260 KB |