David's Story

David's Story is a personal reflection on the fascinating life of the author as seen through his eyes in his seventy seventh year. Most importantly, it is a story focusing on love gained, lost and then of love returning in more ways than one. From his working class beginnings in Bolton, the author's rebellious streak led to some interesting experiences. In this memoir, David reflects on his upbringing and family relationships during which time he lived in many different places, his life as a student at the London School of Economics LSE) and his political awakening, his friendships, an intense and long-lasting love affair, love later returning, his career as a social worker, his running marathons, his support for Nottingham Forest Football Club, his experiencing cancer, and his later life. During David's childhood the family lived in eighteen homes in England and as a result he attended half a dozen different schools. Despite all these changes he was still successful academically at school. When he was eighteen in 1967 he became a student at LSE, at a time when there was a major student revolt arising in considerable part as a response to the Vietnam War. He discusses also his early friendships and the beginning of his social work career in east London at a time when he was very inexperienced and unqualified. For him it was very much a question of 'sinking or swimming'. An intense love affair began during this period. It was to be as W.B Yeats described it as 'but a...dreamy, kind delight'. It was wonderful yet it was nearly to destroy both him and his girlfriend. It was to last on and off for many years. After the love affair ended he did not believe that he would ever marry...but then love was to return many years later in more ways than one after he met Parinya in Thailand. He was soon to marry her. He also describes how his career as a social worker continued in east London and later in inner city Nottingham involving difficult and stressful work. New friendships are also described. There are chapters as well about becoming a marathon runner and also his passion as a supporter of Nottingham Forest Football Club. At a later stage after working for a national charity for several years, and then travelling around the world, he returned to work in London as a manager of services for people with learning disabilities. Later in the book he describes his experience of Thai ways with Parinya. Then cancer threatened to cut short his life with his wife. He was subsequently to move with Parinya out of London to Banbury, Oxfordshire. The covid epidemic was subsequently to pose further threats. He then describes their recent life together. Love and friendship have sustained David and compelled him to reflect on his life with gratitude. I the final chapter of the book he offers reflections on our current society, the wider world, and his heroes and anti-heroes.